Here is a prime example of the effects humans are having on the earth. Think:
1) What can I do about this?
2) Why is Mr. Lahaie teaching us about this?
3) This is just old hippies over-reacting, isn't it?
4) Why do you care about this? Does it affect you in anyway?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/extinctions-now-1-000-times-faster-than-before-humans-1.2658571
I found this article very interesting because I recently did my History ISU on Charles Darwin. When I was doing my research, I learned a lot about natural selection and how species adapt to fit their environment, and those that don't die off. But their is no doubt that we as humans are killing off more than natural selection would. It all comes back to the amount of waste we produce, so if we can produce less, then we don't need to destroy habitats and in turn, making certain species extinct. Mr. Lahaie teaches us everyday about world issues and this is just as important as any other. you may think that it will never effect you, but as more species go extinct, it won't be long before it effects us as well
ReplyDeleteI like these points Bryson. I think that its extremely important that we learn about Darwin and his theories. I learned about him in Biology and it definitely allows you to understand animals and how environment affects them, We really need to reduce the amount of change so less animals have to adapt to such adverse conditions
DeleteVery interesting post. Good connections to the real world and how scary it can be that one day it will effect us as well.
Deletei agree with what you are saying bryson and i like the connection to darwin
DeleteI also liked the connection to Darwin. I used that in my post!
Deletethis is my post
ReplyDeletei think this is a major concern for the environment.the fact that extinction is 1000 times faster than before is crazy.the main reasoning behind this is humans keep destroying animals natural habitat in order for us to expand our own habitat. we don't realize now but taking out a bunch of animal species will not be good for our planet. all animals have a purpose, even if they are just food for another animal. if an animal goes extinct and something that eats it cant eat anymore the animal that is higher up on the food chain will eventually go extinct. this could continue happening until there are no animals left to east and we will have to start adapting and becoming vegetarians to survive. so basically if we dont slow down the destroying of animals natural habitats it will eventually come around to bite us in the butt
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/biodiversity/biodiversity/
When I think about it, it's crazy to think that humans are involved with the increase in extinction rates. Like Bryson said about natural selection, most of these animals should have been able to adapt to their environment to some extent. The fact that most ecosystems in the world are being damaged so much, and at such an alarming rate, suggests that most of these animals probably don't even have enough time to adapt to their environment before they are wiped out. When it comes to what we can do about it, I think we need to do two things: Start trying to limit the damage that we do to the earth for our sake and their sake so that we can avoid a more rapid increase in extinctions and endangered species. We should also be trying to help the animals who are already endangered or at risk (enforcing strict hunting regulations, etc.). I believe that you want us to know about this because the damage to different ecosystems and the effects it has on the animals that live there also affect us. It affects our food chain. At some point, this is going to come back to us and affect the way we live. I do not think that this is a matter that is only getting a bunch of hippies riled up (for the reasons that I've already stated above). I care about this because not only am I an animal lover and a lover of the environment, but I believe that it might eventually have an impact on our food chain. It only takes one species to die off before it can change the whole cycle. Now, I'm not saying that all the cows are going to die within fifty years and the beef industry will fail, but I do believe that it will change some things. Here are some interesting reads:
ReplyDeletehttp://ecowatch.com/2013/12/10/rising-seas-threaten-endangered-species/
http://guardianlv.com/2014/02/endangered-species-numbers-rising/
Nice post Angelique! It is true that it is natural that animals do go extinct. It is the way of life. Although never have they gone extinct or even have had this many endangered animals at once. It is incredible the affects that one animal may have on a whole ecosystem.
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