Question 1-Oceans and Climate Change:
Global warming has a multiplier effect and one of the elements that will significantly experience climate change is the ocean. The temperature of the ocean carries much sensitivity to the ocean life that inhabits it. Land temperature is quicker to show changes due to climate change and the ocean takes longer to reflect those changes. However, even the slightest change in temperature can have an effect to certain species. Sea temperature rise is a serious concern to environment scientists and ocean life is faced with threat.
There are natural climate changes and man-made climate changes also known as anthropogenic . Most climate change is due to human industrialization. Because there are so much greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the earth temperature rises. In the ocean, any change of temperature can immediately affect sea life. According to the National Geographic, coral could be the most susceptible to climate change with varying ocean temperatures. “There is evidence that reefs will bleach (eject their symbiotic algae) at even a slight persistent temperature rise” . Because of this occurrence, coral is exposed to more disease and bacterial infection. In fact, the entire ocean will be more susceptible to disease due to the increasing temperature as warmer temperatures breed bacteria.
In conclusion, the ocean doesn’t just face stronger storm surges or polar cap melting but also faces the threat of dying ocean life that eventually may cause extinction. The warm sea rise may not strike immediately but because these warming occurrences are mostly occurring through man-made operations, sea life is not equipped for this type of evolution.
Question 2-Commodification of Human Slavery
“The American farmer is the only man in our economy who buys everything he buys at retail, sells everything he sells at wholesale, and pays the freight both ways.” – John F. Kennedy
Civilization is over flowing with commodification. Woman sell eggs from their ovaries and men sell sperm and the business they sell them to own them. Seems as if everything is up for sell and is owned by some entity. The commodfication of humans has been occurring since the ancient times when the Jews were slaves and built temples for Kings. The use and mistreatment of a human for profit is the essence of the greedy world we have lived in since the beginning of times. Money is the root of all evil. Today, America’s agricultural history has written in its book the use of slavery to provide and sell agricultural goods. The cost of free to low wage labor enhances the farmer’s profits considerable.
In conclusion, the practice of slavery in colonial periods was not a very good start for America’s farming industry. The ownership of humans for personal gain and to nourish other with food is immoral. Today, the farming industry faces other challenges such as the use of toxic pesticides, inhumane migrant farmer wage, and the use of genetically modified organisms. Moreover, the food industry is utilizing a variety of unethical food practices all for the purpose of mass production and profit. “Big business things of our kitchens and stomachs as profit centers” . The practice of cutting corners by taking advantage of human life, farm animal cruelty and/or using obviously known harmful chemicals have all contributed to the vast industrialized economy in America.
Question 3-Biodiversity Hotspots
According to CNN, “The world's 34 recognized biodiversity hotspots only cover 2.3 percent of the Earth's land surface, and have declined by 70 percent from their original vegetation coverage.” . It is important for countries and individuals to realize what industrialization is doing to the planet, more specifically to the ecosystem. Ameenah Gurib Fakim states in her speech, Humble plants that hide surprising secrets, that plants not only provide us with fresh air but also are a source of “biologically active” ingredients . For instance, Benjoin, a plant found in the biodiverse hotspot of India. The locals use this plant to fight of infectious disease. This plant could be the answer to antibacterial resistance and therefore the world does not want this plant to disappear. Benjoin is also a plant that is sensitive to its environmental surroundings. With 70% of agriculture declining in these hotspots then this miraculous plant is could very well be in danger. It is vital for America to come up with guidelines to ensure that these hotspots and other natural preserves are preserved and thriving. Thanks to conservationists are hoping to maximize their efforts to protect these regions and their species .
The English Yew, as seen in image A, is a proven beneficial plant that is widely used to treat cancer. Some of the compounds found in the bark of this tree have been successful as an anti-cancer agent.
Courtesy of Encyclopedia Britannica
In terms of compensation from the United States for using and exploring other countries for the medical beneficial plants; my recommendation would be that America should compensate in some form. The form doesn’t have to be money, but possibly providing the country of origin with an ample supply of the medicine developed from the source plant. America should be able to offer either payment or medicine supply to the country, in other words pay or barter.
Works Cited
Bigg, Grant R. The Oceans and Climate. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003. Print.
CNN. The world's biodiversity hotspots. 10 May 2010. Web. 25 July 2015.
Hauder, Wenonah. Foodopoly: The Battle Over the Future of Our Food and Farming in America. New York: The New Press, 2012. Print.
Humble Plants that Hide Surprising Secrets. Dir. TEDGlobal. Perf. Ameenah Gurib Fakim. 2014. Web.
National Geographic. Sea Temperature Rise. n.d. Web. 25 July 2015.
Roach, John. "National Geographic News." 2 February 2005. Conservationists Name Nine New "Biodiversity Hotspots". wEB. 2015 July 25.
