In a controversial interview with nature superstar David Attenborough, he is reported to have described humanity as a "plague"on Earth. Furthermore, he later went on to say: "As I see it, humanity needs to reduce its impact on the earth
urgently and there are three ways to achieve this: we can stop consuming
so many resources, we can change our technology and we can reduce the
growth of our population.”
“All our environmental problems become easier to solve with fewer people and harder — and ultimately impossible to solve — with ever more people.”
Although many people may be outraged at such comments, I can't help thinking exactly the same. From an ecological perspective, population control no longer exists within our species as advancements in medicine mean that individuals that would have died from their conditions only one hundred years ago are living to reproductive age and having viable offspring. While at a humanitarian level this is fantastic news, if we were to look at the wider picture and consider the planet as an entity, there are only so many resources available for humans to take before we completely run out. Furthermore, the actions of humans are wiping out many of this planets species, primarily to sustain our ever expanding population. What gives us the right to annihilate other animals to expand our own species? Whether you see if from a religious or atheist perspective, we share this planet with many other creatures besides ourselves.
People need to wake up and smell the coffee. Our planet is changing in more ways than one. If we don't recognise this and act now, one day it may be too late to reverse the damage.
For more information: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/22/david-attenborough-radio-times-interview-population_n_2524315.html
“All our environmental problems become easier to solve with fewer people and harder — and ultimately impossible to solve — with ever more people.”
Although many people may be outraged at such comments, I can't help thinking exactly the same. From an ecological perspective, population control no longer exists within our species as advancements in medicine mean that individuals that would have died from their conditions only one hundred years ago are living to reproductive age and having viable offspring. While at a humanitarian level this is fantastic news, if we were to look at the wider picture and consider the planet as an entity, there are only so many resources available for humans to take before we completely run out. Furthermore, the actions of humans are wiping out many of this planets species, primarily to sustain our ever expanding population. What gives us the right to annihilate other animals to expand our own species? Whether you see if from a religious or atheist perspective, we share this planet with many other creatures besides ourselves.
People need to wake up and smell the coffee. Our planet is changing in more ways than one. If we don't recognise this and act now, one day it may be too late to reverse the damage.
For more information: http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/01/22/david-attenborough-radio-times-interview-population_n_2524315.html
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