The environment is our source of livelihood. It is through the environment that we obtain natural resources such as clean water, timber, and aesthetic beauty. However, over the years man has massively taken resources from the environment without seeking to create mechanisms that can allow the same resources to be available in the future. For example, man has continued to harvest forests for timber. As much as timber is important for the construction of various structures such as housing, the fact remains that the harvesting of timber reduces the number of trees in our forests. Trees play an important role in the ecosystem. First of all, many forests are water catchment areas. The continued cutting of trees means that the sources of many rivers might dry up in the future. In addition, trees prevent soil erosion by holding soil particles together. Cutting down of trees would mean that fertile soils will continue to be lost through various agents of erosion such as wind and water. One thing that is important to understand is that the use of resources such as cutting of tree is inevitable because men have needs. However, we have to be responsible for our actions on the environment. For example, we have to think about replanting trees in case we cut trees down. In this way we can be able to make sure that more trees are going to be available in the future.
In the same way that we replant trees, recycling has been a key preposition that many environmental protectionists have argued for. Through recycling we reduce the amount of resources that we take from the environment. This would mean that the same resources can be renewed over a long time so as to reduce the pace at which resources are utilized. Using the example of trees; trees are a source of paper. Paper can be used for making of books and other writing material. However, instead of disposing the paper after it has been utilized, paper can be used to make other resources. For example, paper can be recycled to make other materials such as tissue papers (Owens 29). This recycling process reduces the number of trees that would have been cut down to be able to make more resources.
Despite recycling being a possibility of protecting the environment, the fact remains that this conservation measure is not satisfactory. This is because many people especially in the developed world consume and purchase products that are sometimes unnecessary. This culture of purchasing products that are sometimes not necessary is known as consumerism. Consumerism has made the markets to continue to produce more goods and services that are not for necessity but are meant for luxury (Pimentel 56). These luxury goods put the environment in an unnecessary strain. This is because resources that are currently being produced for luxury could be saved for the purposes of being utilized by future generations.
Therefore, for us to be able to best protect and preserve our environment, we have to be prepared to make personal sacrifices. We have to reduce products and needs that are meant for luxury. This is a sacrifice that cannot happen in a single day but requires self-sacrifice. However, if future generations are going to enjoy the same resources that we use today, it is paramount that we reduce our consumption of luxury goods and services.
Works Cited
Owens, Susan E. Environment, resources, and conservation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1991. Print.
Pimentel, David. Ecological integrity: integrating environment, conservation, and health. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, 2000. Print.
