The United Nations recently released an extensive report with the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) detailing the state of our environment, in collaboration with over 450 researchers and 15,000 government documents. The report notably claims that the world’s current standard of living has put over 1 million animal and plant species at risk of extinction in the near future. Serving as a wakeup call for both policy makers and the general public alike, scientists now warn that the level of environmental destruction stated in the report poses a serious threat to our food security, water supply, energy, and overall human health for generations to come. The UN specified that these measures of destruction include over 300 million tons of heavy metals and toxic sludge in our oceans, excessive burning of fossil fuels, and an introduction of devastating diseases as we trade goods across the world’s ecosystems.
In an economical perspective, the UN additionally estimated that driving pollinating insects to extinction has cost the nation over $577 billion in crop production annually. A failure to make urgent reforms will continue to deprive America of the $24 trillion of benefits nature provides each year, as the UN claims. While reporters have proposed solutions such as altering the methods in which we grow our food, produce energy, and dispose of waste, it has become evident that government intervention remains necessary to enforce and implement such drastic changes. Possible government actions include stopping funds for projects that harm the environment, limiting deforestation, or even implementing the Paris Agreement act.
Questions to consider:
- How should the responsibility of environmental protection be divided between the federal and state governments? Which government is ultimately more responsible?
- How do you believe businesses and corporations might react to stricter regulations on the use of resources that harm our environment?
- If you were a policymaker, how would you recommend balancing society’s increasing demand for technological advances with the destructive effects these demands have on the environment?
Sources:
https://www.npr.org/2019/05/06/720654249/1-million-animal-and-plant-species-face-extinction-risk-u-n-report-says
https://www.apnews.com/aaf1091c5aae40b0a110daaf04950672
I believe that while both the federal and state governments are responsible for environmental protection, since state government is closer to the people, they should have greater responsibility. I think that stricter regulations on the use of harmful resources is going to be so important when attempting to preserve our ecosystem. Businesses and corporations will most likely be upset over stricter regulations because it may slow production or raise the price of production, but it is necessary for the well being of the Earth.
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