Energy is a major part of studying the environment. Energy runs both ecological systems, as well as commercial systems. For example, the 99% of the energy radiated by the sun is what has given life to plants and kept the planet warm (Miller 41). Harnessing energy is what has allowed civilizations across the World to become so advanced, in contrary to our ancestors. However, the manner in which energy can be harnessed and its efficiency differs. In the United States and across the world, 90% of commercial energy comes from fossil fuels (Miller 41). However, fossil fuel efficiency is very low quality. About only 5% of the chemical energy coal is directly transferred into producing light in a light bulb (Miller 42). Miller advocates for improving energy quality, the amount of energy available for preforming useful work, as a solution to reducing air pollution (Miller 42). However, I personally believe Miller missed a major point. The real solution to reducing air pollution and releasing climate-changing emissions is by switching to renewable resources. As he mentions in the beginning cheaper, solar energy is a powerful source of energy. Switching from fossils fuels to sources like solar power can create the most influential change.
We are currently in the process of degrading our environment to a point of no return, some may even say we are reaching an ecological tipping point. For example, countries across the world are clear-cutting forests of removing vital habitats of species. Deforestation does not only limit biodiversity, but it has also lessened the efforts of trees efforts in carbon sequestration. Trees are necessary for converting carbon dioxide to oxygen as we are currently pumping out from fossil fuels. Furthermore, a large-scale loss of trees can also change regional weather patterns and prevent proper regrowth of forests (Miller 50). Another source being degraded on this planet are our soils. Nourishing soil is vital for the growth of healthy vegetation, thus especially critical for farming and forest growth. However, unnatural processes of removing plant cover will effect topsoil. For instance, exposing soil leaves the top layers susceptible to being eroded by water and wind. This would not be so bad if it did not take topsoil to be formed in hundreds to thousands of years (Miller 59). Lastly, water is also being effected! Water has properties that allows it to dissolve different compounds, thus can be easily polluted. Natural systems are set up in water systems to purify the water, however if over-burned this process can take a long time. Meanwhile, withdrawing from aquifers unsustainably, clearing vegetation and replacing it with unfilterable material like concrete, and draining wetlands can be disastrous to a delicate, balanced water system (Miller 64).
Species and their diversity are a also vital part of the Earth. Each species does something important for the ecosystem. According to Miller, there are four major ecosystem roles for species. There are native, nonnative, indicator, and keystone. Each species can play a beneficial or harmful role towards the environment. For example, nonnative species can be threating, but sometimes they are harmless. However, in the case of the wild African honeybees, the species quickly became invasive and lethal towards native honeybees. For example, in 1957 when they were introduced in Brazil they began displacing many of Brazil’s native honeybee populations. Meanwhile, they then spread throughout South and Central America (Miller 82). However, on the opposite side of the spectrum there are keystone species. Unlike many invasive species, keystone species are detrimental for the health and well-being of certain ecosystems. An example is the American Alligator in the Southern United States. They are known to dig depressions surrounding the wetland, also known as gator holes. The holes are important because during times of droughts other aquatic animals use these depressions as refuges. They supply freshwater and food for insects, birds, turtles, etc. Meanwhile, the large nesting mounds alligators make provide nesting and feeding sites for marsh birds. The mounds also prevent vegetation from creeping into the open water. Depending on the species, they can have tremendous influence on the health and survivorship of an ecosystem.
Although animals are known to adapt, it may not be at the rate we may think or wish it to. There are limits to adaption that include a lack of necessary mutant genetic material necessary for overcoming the harmful product. Then, the species may not be able to reproduce it into the population as effectively as animals who have a high birth rate and short lifespan. Although species may not be able to adapt or bounce back as easily, restoration is possible for the natural environment. For instance, an ecosystem’s landscape is capable of regenerating, so there is hope in that regard. This is known as ecological restoration. It is capable of enriching the biodiversity of a community and interactions between species (Miller 107). The locations the environment can regenerate between areas of newly cooled lava from a volcanic eruption to abandoned farmlands. Some locations may take longer than others, but they can become flourishing ecosystems regardless. This is done by processes of primary ecological succession and secondary ecological succession.
We depend on species and resources heavily, yet they are the ones that are getting hit the most. People are taking advantage of such important resources. The way we treat our environment is unbelievably toxic. We take what we want from the planet, but give nothing in return. We here its protests with bushfires, ocean acidification, loss of species, yet we still think we are doing nothing wrong and continue to disregard its pleas. I know there will be a time the Earth has had enough and will not be able to sustain humans anymore, I just hope we don’t get there so soon.
Science is what we use to help us better understand the natural environment. However, science also has its limitations. According to Miller, there are four significant limitations. 1) Scientists cannot prove anything to be absolute or true without uncertainty. There are always possible confines and mistakes when dealing with measurements, models, observations, etc. 2) Due to the fact humans are scientists, scientists are not always free of bias. 3) The natural world has a lot of variables that cannot always be accounted for during an experiment. 4) Statistical sampling and mathematical models estimate numbers, thus measurement are not always accurate. It is important to note the limitations of science, thus everything can continued to be questioned. This is an important recognition to make as scientists continue to experiment and study the Earth’s changing climate and natural environment. For instance, biases of scientists are a major concern, especially during this time of climate change deniers.
Question:
How has scientific technology been used in developing solutions towards species loss and prevention of further degradation of the environment.
Environmental Studies 