1. Observe the biodiversity in a particular area in your hometown using the small scale technique. How do these individual organisms affect the biodiversity of the ecosystem as a whole?

Measuring the biodiversity of a particular area is impossible to do with the human eye. Rosevalley lake is located in my hometown of Montoursville, Pa. During the majority of the year the lake is swarming with a variety of different organisms. From a kayak I can observe different fish species, bird species, amphibians, and plant species. If I were to uproot a plant, or lift up a rock, I might find various worms, beetles, and invertebrates in the soil. Although you can not visibly observe the thousands of macro and micro organisms inhabiting the lake water, a microscope would give you entirely different perspective of all the life supporting this small ecosystem.The birds and other large mammals prey on the fish. The fish feed on various worms, microorganisms and other insects. The insects rely on plants for survival. The plants could not survive without the various organic macro and micro nutrients they retain from the soil and the different pollination practices occurring from insects. Each organism in this area is interconnected to one another and plays a key role in maintaining a healthy ecosystem.

2. List a specific threat to biodiversity in the area you chose for question 1. How could this threat be prevented?

Pollution is a big threat to the biodiversity of Rosevalley lake. Hydraulic fracking has become very prominent in Northeastern Pa and within the past five years there has been an increase in development. There are now over five gas wells surrounding the lake, Fracking is not only a very unsustainable form of development, it is also very hazardous to our environment. As mentioned in module 10, a discharge of toxic synthetic chemicals and heavy metals into the environment has a major impact on biodiversity. Not only does fracking have the potential to contaminate ground waters, the toxic substances are evaporated into the atmosphere creating contaminated air and acid rain. If these toxic substances were to leak into the lake there is also a big risk of bioaccumulation in animal tissues. Rosevalley is very popular game lake in my area. Not only does it feed the surrounding carnivorous populations, many people rely on these fish to help feed their families. If the lake were to become contaminated, humans would be at a direct risk of impacts from bioaccumulation of toxins as well as different mammals and avian species. Many mammals also use this lake as a source for drinking water. Contaminated water could not only affect the local community but it could negatively affect migratory species as well. The chemicals could have a potential to create a dead zone that is completely uninhabitable for fish and other wildlife. The only way to  prevent the lake from becoming contaminated is to eliminate hydraulic fracking entirely. Fossil fuels used for energy are becoming progressively scarce and there are more sustainable, environmentally friendly methods to this downside of development.

3.Choose a current event in which invasive species have negatively affected biodiversity. What does Biodiversity mean to you? How can it be sustained?

Invasive species introduced to nonnative habits are causing declinations in native species. For example in New Caledonia, fire ants or (Wasmaiinia auropunctata) were accidentally introduced to the island through travel. Although these ants are tiny in size, they are having a substantial effect on the ecosystem. Fire ants create supercolonies that can cover miles of land area. These tiny ants have a lack of natural enemies, therefore causing a demographic surge. Fire ants prey on crustaceans, insects, seeds, floral nectar, snails, and worms. They’re able to inject a powerful venom, driving potential competitors from existing resources. Studies have shown these powerful ants have made a decrease in the density and diversity of native arthropods since they were first introduced to the island. Reptiles, birds and other species rely on arthropods for food. The loss of native arthropods is causing the reptiles numbers to decline which is also causing other species numbers to fall. Furthermore, these insects are known to indirectly spread a variety of plant diseases, which negatively affect the health of the ecosystem. Additionally, invasive fire ants are causing implications on agricultural activities, economy, and the welfare in the community of New Caledonia. The preservation of biodiversity is crucial to the sustainability of life. Each organism has it’s own specific contribution to maintaining a healthy ecosystem. This vast network of genetic, and ecological biodiversity is what makes life livable on earth. Habitat degradation, pollution, invasive species, destruction and climate change are some of the many man made factors negatively impacting biodiversity. Ecocentric ethical views are critical to the preservation of healthy ecosystems. Being environmentally aware and conserving land for its own benefit could ultimately preserve all life as a whole. Biodiversity is the root to all life. Without biodiversity, life simply would not exist.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-14432401

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0067245

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2. My diagram starts off with the burning of fossil fuels which is the key contributor to climate change. I showed how fossil fuels create greenhouse emissions which lead to climate warming and ultimately a transformation in climate. Since climate change is the single most important issue in civilization today, an agreement needed to be made to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale. Subsequently, I showed how the UN Climate Change Conference created the Copenhagen Accord. Many countries that were involved in the climate change initiative were initially not in favor of this political agreement. The accord could not guarantee the global greenhouse gas cuts needed to prevent dangerous warming from occurring. The Accord also threatens to bypass the UN’s Kyoto protocol, in which many rich nations have liability. Due to these reasons, many of the most vulnerable and poorest countries were not in favor of the accord. However, the United States supported the agreement. I created an arrow pointing from the United States to Needs Allies because the United States benefited from this agreement. They wanted to gain allies for a majority vote. In order to gain allies they manipulated countries that didn’t have a large carbon footprint, with financial aid. Many of these countries are impoverished and agreed to the accord just because they were in need of financial assistance. The United States also threatened countries with various ultimatums and secret cables for spying purposes.They mounted a secret global diplomatic offense to overwhelm opposition. Furthermore, the United States persuaded and encouraged 140 different countries to support the Copenhagen Accord.

3. Although it is extremely difficult to negotiate a climate treaty to reduce greenhouse emissions, I believe the way the United States gained allies for the Copenhagen Accord was unethical. There are better ways to handle the situation. Sending the secret cables was an invasion of privacy to the other countries. I also do not like the fact the US threatened innocent countries for selfish reasons. Although our method was effective, I believe there are more ethical means to handle this situation. I strongly believe the Copenhagen Accord could be very beneficial on a global scale. It is steering countries in the right direction of mitigation which will ultimately reduce greenhouse emissions. Nevertheless, I do believe other countries should have the right to decide whether they oppose or support an agreement. I also felt like it was very dishonorable for the United States to use aid to gain political backing. Brazil’s vice-environment minister stated that the United States could advertise its new commitment to bettering climate change by contributing to the Amazon Fund. Instead of contributing, we basically decided to use subversion and manipulate the country to agree to the document. Donating to different causes is just one of the many ways we are capable of getting our voice heard. Using our money to threaten and manipulate is not an ethical option to climate diplomacy. The United States could have also created a presentation or document about mitigation and sent it to the other countries. I believe disclosing the numerous social and environmental benefits of the the Copenhagen accord could ultimately convince others to collectively re-engineer the global economy. 

1.By analyzing the Nathan World Map of Natural Hazards, I found my hometown in Northeastern PA is vulnerable to increased heavy rain, a moderate risk of hail storms, and winter storms. We are also at a low risk of wildfires, tropical cyclones and tornadoes. The map does not show we are at risk for earthquakes, however, my hometown has experienced mild earthquakes in the past. One of the natural hazards that surprised me was the possibility of experiencing tropical cyclones. Pennsylvania is not surrounded by oceans, and it’s geography primary consists of diverse, mountainous regions. I did not believe we were able to experience hurricanes. A river borders my hometown, as well as a few creeks and lakes. We have had trouble with flooding before and have experienced some heavy winds and rain. I believe it is rare for our area to experience a tropical cyclone.  Nathan’s World Map of Natural hazards is not a good reference to compare individual towns because the scale is so broad. It was also hard to make out the colors of each individual region and I do not believe it is a well suited document for the task given.

2.Referring to the RSOE EDIS, Nigeria is facing an ongoing, statewide biological hazard that’s been occurring since February 20, 2016. A documented 25 people have died because of an unidentified virus. Vaccines and/or other treatments are not available in this region. Since wealth is one of the most important factors to vulnerability, Nigeria is more vulnerable to this natural hazard than my hometown. Although my hometown is able to experience this same type of disaster,  I believe we would have more effective means of resilience if a biological hazard was to occur. The United States is a wealthier society with more advanced science and technology. Nigeria is more than twice the size of Pennsylvania, so if a biological hazard were to occur in my hometown the impacts would be immediate and local. It would not impact other portions of the world, if properly forecasted, and contained.

3.Different people in my hometown have different levels of vulnerability because people with less physical strength are more vulnerable to a biological hazard. Severity depends on physical and social nature of human populations affected by the event. A person with a weaker immune system would be much more vulnerable to a disease than one with a strong immune system. Children and the elderly are more vulnerable to hazards, and men tend to be less vulnerable than women. In order to reduce my town’s vulnerability to a disaster, pre-event preparedness is key. Since bacteria can reproduce and spread rapidly, it would be ideal to keep the elderly and children out of socially concentrated areas. Whether it be the shopping mall, community events and/or school, reducing the risk of transmission is extremely important. Increased sanitation, treatment, and immediately isolating the infected would help prevent the hazard from spreading

4.The first step in reducing vulnerability to natural hazards in my hometown is to develop a common understanding of all hazards and our vulnerabilities to each. Coordinating an emergency management effort is also very important (PEMA 1). The natural hazards posing the greatest threat in the commonwealth are floods, fires, winter storms and dam failures. Personally, my hometown has encountered a lot of hydrological hazards because of its location along multiple waterways. To reduce vulnerability of hydrological hazards, it would be beneficial to expand floodplains to diminish risks of homes flooding. It is important to map out safe zones and build a stable building or structure that can withstand extreme events. Encouraging plans and actions for preventative measures and developing an effective response would prevent more lives from being lost. The best people to perform these actions would be middle aged, healthy individuals that are physically fit. Personally, I could make more people aware of the importance of pre-emergency preparedness and how it can ultimately effect our well being. Informing others about the development of effective plans and procedures would also reduce a natural hazard’s severity.

http://www.pema.pa.gov/planningandpreparedness/communityandstateplanning/Pages/Hazard-Vulnerability.aspx#.VvsbjOaPN8E

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1. I am from a small, automobile suburb called Montoursville, Pa. Montoursville has about 4,611 residents and borders a higher density streetcar suburb called Williamsport with a population of 29,381 residents. Montoursville has a broad landscape and a mixed-use area in the center of town. In the urban downtown of Montoursville, houses are thinly dispersed and some can walk, or use bikes for transportation. The majority of the population lives in the suburban area using vehicles as their primary transportation mode. In order to get fresh produce we would rely on homegrown fruits and vegetables, a long drive to a local farmer’s house, or a reasonable drive to the grocery store. There was very little public transportation because the majority of the population is located in the automobile suburbs. Although the area is high in agricultural production it would require an unsustainable mode of transportation to acquire fresh produce. 
2. The approach to sustainability in Detroit relates to my hometown because last June, Montoursville opened Local Fare, a business created to help promote local agriculture and spread awareness about sustainable farming. Detroit is a prime example of how urban agriculture can be applied practically anywhere. With some cognitive transition and some back-to-basic methods of farming, green space can be utilized to not only provide for the family and community but also make a living from. Since foods with low environmental impact are healthier and tastier, this sustainable, grassroots form of farming could reshape diets, forming an overall healthier community. The Local Fare is quickly expanding, bringing the community together and I’m hoping it encourages more people to participate in sustainable gardening.
3. In Haiti, the community is using old tires to help structure their farming practices. This method is also providing families with income. The bordering city to my hometown, Williamsport, has a higher population density and less land available than Montoursville. Williamsport could start using this tire method of gardening on top of buildings and rooftops to eliminate land usage. There are scrap tires in stockpiles throughout the world, often taking up room and not disposed of because of health concerns. Recycling used tires is an innovative, environmentally good method of farming. After families break-even this could even be very profitable for them in the long run. This transition to sustainability could not only improve the community’s wealth and income, but it can also have positive effects on the environment.

1.In high school I started hanging out with a new group of girls that took me to a sushi restaurant in my hometown. This was the first time I tried sushi and I didn’t understand why the portions were so small, but the food was so expensive. I remember being very hungry that night but only ordered one sushi roll because that’s what everyone else ordered. I was not a fan of the raw fish and the tiny portion but acted satisfied because I wanted to fit in. I grew up with a big, plentiful garden in my backyard and primarily ate home grown, local foods. My family rarely went out to dinner and we lived a locavore lifestyle. All of our veggies, meats, eggs, and cheeses came from a good family friend that farmed locally.

2.Although sushi is acknowledged to be a very healthy dish, the sources of ingredients are unknown. China, India, and Indonesia are among the leading rice producers in the world.The modern industrial production of rice is requiring pesticides which can negatively effect consumers and surrounding communities. Sushi is also made with exotic raw fish which correlates to over fishing leading to negative human impacts on the environment. I also felt obligated to eat less because the girls I were with were very self conscious about body image. I went outside of my typical, locally produced diet to please social norms. It is important to know where your food is coming from and although I am one to always try something new, I believe we should be focusing on sustaining the surrounding community’s agriculture, instead of supporting the mass production and globalized food industries. We should also believe in our own virtues and intuitions while being more aware of how social influences are affecting our decision making process.

1.Toxic Waste in Chester, Pennsylvania

http://www.umich.edu/~snre492/polk.html

An investment company has continued to build multiple toxic and hazardous waste treatment facilities in Chester, PA. Since the waste treatment facilities were established, there has been a drastic inclination in negative health effects. Chester’s residents quality of life is being degraded, resulting in many disorders, such as, asthma, cancer, sore throats and skin disorders. The population in Chester is made up of 65% black ethnicity and the city is said to have the lowest family income in the entire state of Pennsylvania. Although only 8% of the county’s population lives in Chester, the city is handling 67% of the county’s total waste. Some are calling this “Environmental Racism,” pushing for these polluting facilities to be shut down. It took years for goals of development to be put into effect but many Grass Root Level organizations are empowering residents to make a change. Public hearings are being held and statewide conferences are spreading awareness, forming strategies to better these poor environmental conditions. The internet is also playing a vital rule, recruiting others to spread awareness hoping to ultimately get environmental justice. This case study was very similar to the pollution occurring in Camden, NJ. The environmental degradation is causing serious health effects to their residents and with the globalized nature of our economy, pollutants are becoming concentrated in certain regions of the world.

2.Poisoning Bhopal

Bhopal, India

http://www.mhhe.com/Enviro-Sci/CaseStudyLibrary/International/CaseStudy_Poisoning_Bhopal.pdf

Bhopal, India is an industrial city located in Central India. Unexpectedly, the residents of Bhopal were awakened one night to a cloud of toxic gas. As the residents were trying to escape their homes, unfortunately, many did not even make it past their door step. This gas cloud resulted in more than 15,000 deaths and 800,000 suffered medical problems. The noxious gas came from a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal which makes the pesticide Temik. A component of Temik, methyl isocyanate, was stored in large tanks at the plant. Water mysteriously got into the tank, creating the deadly chemical reaction that swept the city. This incident is claimed to be the greatest industrial disaster in history and pushed families without medical care, into even deeper poverty. 20 years after the incident, no one was ever punished for this horrific catastrophe. Although nothing was really done to improve development, this disaster served as an alert to the world of the various negative effects of air pollution and the risks associated with storage, and manufacturing highly toxic industrial chemicals. This case study also related to the industrialization in Camden, New Jersey. The children are developing asthma from the “black dust” pouring out of these industries. The cancer rate is also skyrocketing because of these noxious agents. Although nothing to this scale has yet to happen in New Jersey, it serves a warning to potential dangers, if this industrialization persists.
3. A few years back, I lived with my boyfriend in Havertown, Pennsylvania. Chester is located right next to Havertown, and every time we would drive through Chester, I remember a sense of fear and sadness that consumed my body. The trash that covered the town was unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed before. The streams were polluted, I saw many residents in wheelchairs, and children were playing in parks full of garbage and plastic. Adversely, Havertown is a clean, beautiful town located about 15 minutes from Chester. Most of the neighborhood is Caucasian, and they do not have a toxic waste facility in their town. The environmental conditions were completely opposite when comparing the two towns. When the Bhopal incident occurred, some of the bordering cities were also harmed from the toxic gas cloud. That was a big reality check because if something similar to Bhopal occurred in Chester, Havertown could be negatively affected along with all the family and friends we have there. Before reading this article, I had no idea why Chester was in such a poor condition, and it was the first time I heard about the incident in Bhopal. I believe it is very important for all residents, and surrounding residents, to be aware of the potential risks of harboring these toxic waste/pesticide facilities and the development downsides. It is also evident that geography plays a big rule in measuring pollution. Lower income cities are predominately at a greater risk of environmental bads than higher income cities. Also the greater the concentration of population, the more likely these industries will located closer to them, geographically.

Part 1 a:

I am from a small, rural town called Montoursville which is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The water supply in Montoursville comes from four wells and the Sylvan Dell Spring. The four wells are located within the borough and drilled in valley fill deposits. Two primary use wells are located next to the Loyalsock Creek and the Susquehanna River. The two back-up wells are located in the Southwestern portion of Montoursville borough. The Sylvan Dell Spring is on the slope of Bald Eagle Mountain, which is located south of the Susquehanna River. Since I live outside of Montoursville, the water supply chain in my home comes from well water. Initially our well was created by digging into the earth until the water table was reached. Precipitation from the ground’s surface is infiltrated through the soil. The water then enters cracks in the bedrock, leading the the aquifer. Ground water is than extracted out of the underground aquifers and drawn up to the surface by a pump. A point-of-entry system was installed after the water meter to treat and filter, most of the water entering my home. A point-of-use system was also installed to filter water and delivers it to the tap. After the tap water is used, it runs into the drain. The wastewater is then transferred into a septic tank in my back yard where it seeps back into the ground.

Part 1 b:

Water Usage for One Day

(February 7, 2015)

Amount of water usage source: http://water.usgs.gov/edu/activity-percapita.php

Part 1 c:

2 gallons of water a day= 256 oz. total

Living on two gallons of water of day would be a significant change in the way I engage in everyday life. I would no longer be able to use water for materialistic things (showering, flushing the toilet, cleaning off the counters etc..). I would have to focus on what is vital for survival. Before conducting this experiment, I thought I was already consensus of the water footprint I was making. After calculating the total amount I used in a single day I was baffled. I have always turned the water off when brushing my teeth, dishes and showering but it is evident that is not enough. If I was only given two gallons a day, I would first focus on personal consumption. It is vital to stay well hydrated so I would keep at least 48 oz. a day, strictly for drinking purposes. I have two dogs and a cat so they would be next concern. It is recommended animals have 10 ounces per 10 lbs of body weight. A combined total of my animal’s weight is 110 pounds so I would need to give them a  total of 110 oz. per day. Hygiene is also very important to remain healthy so instead of showering daily, i would have to limit it to once every 2 days. On the days in between, I would use about 24 oz. to wash my face, rinse my hair and scrub my body. Although it is not desirable, it is also not necessary to flush the toilet everyday. Instead I could put used toiletry in the trash, and use the toilet solely for eliminating. If I flushed the toilet once every 3 days, it would limit water usage to 53 oz. per day. With the remaining 21 oz. I would focus on the water I need for cooking and washing my hands. Although every day is different, and water isn’t always a necessity for cooking, it is typically used on a daily basis. I could then reuse the waste water leftover from cooking to aid in flushing the toilet. By practicing these methods, I could cut down my water consumption by 85.1 gallons. Although it would be difficult to accomplish in society today, individual actions always make a difference. By learning about where my hometown’s water supply comes from, it was evident that there’s more usable water located next to bigger bodies of water. Water is also typically more abundant on the bottom of mountainous areas and deep valleys. Geography plays a vital importance in water supply and I am very thankful to live in an area with a comfortable amount of  usable water. Comparing this exercise with part 1-b helped make me aware of the unreasonable amount I was using and areas where I can cut back consumption.

1. Is it more important to be a good person or to perform good acts (virtue ethics vs. action ethics)?

In an environmental sense I believe it is more important to be performing good acts. Although virtue ethics are very important, positive changes will not occur unless they are put into action. Being a good person is very beneficial to society, acting on a cause has much more if an impact. I have always believed the famous phrase “actions speak a lot louder than words”.  For example, caring about environmental degradation is extremely important but putting those thoughts into action, and physically helping the environment is much more beneficial to the ecosystem. It is also important to consider that most good acts are performed by good people. Adversely, it is possible for a bad person to commit a good act. For example, good people who care about the environment will not pollute but a criminal sentenced to community service is performing a good act by helping clean up the pollution. If a bad person does not perform bad actions, he has no impact on the environment but if a good person performs bad actions, the environment could be at a disadvantage.  Conclusively, action ethics have a higher relevance and importance on the environment and society as a whole.

4 & 5. Do ecosystems matter for their own sake, or do they only matter to the extent that they impact humans (ecocentric ethics vs. anthropocentric ethics)?

I believe ecosystems matter for their own sake. Although human benefit and welfare is important, the ecosystem shapes how humans are able to live their lives. If everyone had an anthropocentric view, our ecosystem would deteriorate and life simply could not exist. Unlike anthropocentric ethics and speciesism, I believe every living being is equal in importance. All species have an important role in our environment. Without biodiversity, there would not be natural sustainability for all forms of life. Biodiversity is critical for all species survival, as well as the survival of humanity. As stated in the basic ethics concepts lesson, humans do not have more of an advantage to other species, we are not the only ones that use reason or feel emotions. Other species have proven to show empathy and altruism. Every living being has a vital role on this planet and when working together, life is sustainable. Without species diversity, all life would go extinct. I believe we should all think prudently and consider ecocentric ethics, in order to sustain life

6. Is my own life worth more than the lives of others, the same, or less (selfishness vs. altruism)?

Although I appreciate my life beyond measure, I believe my life is worth the same as others. As mentioned in my paragraph about speciesism, I consider all life as equally important. Every living being has a significant role to society and the environment. I believe it is important to treat yourself how you treat others. One can not take care of others, if they can not take care of themself. I believe all living beings have an equivalent balance in this world. It is important to consider that everything is good in moderation but too much of  a good thing can ultimately end in a bad thing. Practicing too much altruism could negatively impact oneself but not practicing enough could have a bad effect on others or the environment. For example, if someone only has $10 to their name for the rest of the week and feels obligated to give the rest of their money to a homeless person, the giving person could ultimately become malnourished from not being able to afford food all week. Similarly, practicing too much selfishness could have contradictory effects on others but not practicing enough could result in unfavorable effects on the person acting. For example, if a person devotes 24 hours a day to helping the impoverished, they would not have time for personal relationships, family or enjoying life. This could cause the person to become depressed and unhappy. They would be sacrificing their well-being to help others. Nonetheless, I believe there should be a proportionate balance between selfishness and altruism. No life is worth more or less than the next.

In my diagram I used systems perspective to show linkages of positive and negative outputs from the two different fuel systems discussed in the video. I wanted my diagram to show the chain of effects that occur when people consume natural resources and when new technology is introduced into the ecosystem. For example, we were told how the wood burning stove was creating a recursive relationship. Although burning wood was vital for the villagers, it was causing deforestation. Deforestation affects the biota factor, structure, and organic matter in soil. These changes in the soil affect crop yield and runoff which ultimately affects the stability of both the ecosystem and social system. These degrading conditions were creating a humanized environment which was not sustainable for India. In the diagram I created, I used red boxes to represent the old system and its negative impacts on the village people and ecosystem. The green boxes were used to introduce the new sustainable system which caused a positive feedback loop. I increased the size and boldness of the font of my main ideas and used curved arrows to show linkage. When comparing my diagram to Figure 1.5 “What is Human Ecology?” I noticed a few similarities and many differences. We both separated the two main ideas of the biogas technology. We also used arrows to show the causes and effects from the different systems. Marten did not use any color in his diagram and he also used dashed lines to show correlations. By comparing the two diagrams, I realized how much information a diagram can hold, if properly organized. In the future, I might take a different approach when creating a diagram. If everything is organized and easy to follow, it’s much more understandable and desirable for viewers. Comparing the diagrams also showed how different and diverse our individual perspectives can be when interpreting human-environment interactions.

Hi, guys! My name is Tawnya and I am a Sophomore at Penn State University Park, studying Wildlife Science. I am originally from a small town outside of Williamsport, Pa and I currently live in State College, Pa. When I am not attending classes, you can typically find me volunteering at Native Path Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, taking my pups for an adventure, working at a local brewery, or tie dying for extra money. I love being outdoors, whether it be fishing, hiking, kayaking, or camping. I am also very passionate about music. I chose Wildlife Science as my major because I have always loved helping animals. There is nothing more rewarding to me than helping an injured animal, rehabilitating it and setting it free, back into the wild. I hope to eventually get a career studying wildlife and helping conserve different species. I am actually taking this course as an elective because I am very interested in sustainability and preserving natural resources.

An issue I am concerned about is the preservation of species. I believe many people are oblivious to the huge impact humanity has on the natural environment. Since humankind is negatively impacting the environment, the environment is beginning to have a negative effect on the millions of innocent species that exist on this earth. 200 to 2000 species go extinct every year, causing an alteration in biodiversity. Without the existence of numerous species, we as man, simply could not exist. I believe more people should be informed about natural and social sciences and the ethical approach that needs to be made to conserve and sustain life. Without contributing to sustainability, all life on earth with eventually go extinct. I believe if we begin to act now, there will still be hope for future generations.