Technology

The interaction of mankind with the environment has been both a blessing and a curse. Proponents of the creation theory suggest that man was placed on the earth by God and given authority over all that is on the earth. Going by this argument leads one to wonder what Mans interpretation of authority was. Over time, there has been extinction of various species of animals and plants as a result of the actions of man. Perhaps, what beats logic is the neglect identified in most peoples actions as regards to the reality of extinction.  In North America for example, studies have indicated that mans activity such as hunting, pollution and deforestation have enhanced extinction in which about thirty-seven animal species have become extinct in just half a century (Vermeij, 1986)). The World Wildlife Fund indicates that by the year 2008, close to 16,928 species of animals were at the risk of extinction if the mans degenerative actions to the environment continue.  Man is solely to blame for the extinction of various species of plants and animals. This follows his direct demand for animal resources such as the case of the Africa white rhinoceros horns for industrial use or the indirect causes of extinction such as the destruction of habitats (Fraser et al, 1983).

Mans responsibility has and shall remain to be the preservation of the environment so as to achieve a sound economical balance. In a world where the main focus is on the economy rather than the welfare of the environment, there is a rush for the limited resource to maintain the economic progress of nations. For instance the highly industrialized countries like the U.S have been actively utilizing the natural resource like plants and other natural raw materials without replacement to maintain this balance (Sanderson et al, 2002). Being in control of things around him man has the obligation of maintain a perfect ecological balance to avoid extinction.

Extinction of other creatures has inflicted damage both directly and indirectly to the environment where man lives. The intensified industrialization for example has led to heavy pollution of the environment which is the habitat of living things and therefore, lacking a suitable environment to live in, some species such leatherback turtles and Sumatra tigers have become extinct (Pimm and Askins 1995). Extinction leads to an imbalance on the ecology on which man relies. Extinction of the Sumatran tiger and other animals for example is a blow to the tourism industry reducing the gains from tourism which contributes to the economy. With extinction, man looses some resources which were once useful to man such as plant species which have been the source of medicine and other goods (Sanderson et al 2002).

From the impacts that extinction has had on the economy and ecology it is of paramount importance that man retreats form encroaching into the natural environment to maintain and restore a balanced ecology that protects nature against extinction. As the impacts of extinction affect man more seriously that they even do to other spices then man ought to give up selfish ambitions for the sake of living things (Fraser et al, 1993). Man cannot live without relying on the environment and thus it means that persistence of species is of great importance for mans future live making extinction an issue of unethical approach to the environment. Extinction, as viewed ethically indicates mans lack of responsibility to tend to the environment which he has the obligation to.

Move by both the government and environmental activist such the World Wild fund to preserve and recover the endangered species   have proved difficult because of lack of effective policies or good will from the concerned authorities to stop extinction such as U.S neglect to uphold to Kyoto protocol guidelines. As president success in stopping extinction would mean that I focus on the root cause of this problem rather than solving the results. I would enforce a collective approach policy that seeks to ensure that very citizen is committed to stopping extinction. This could mean providing supplementary resources that will keep off encroachment.