Easter Island and the Amazon Rain Forest
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Easter Island and the Amazon Rain Forest
Ladies and gentlemen, most of you will agree with me that current modes of consumption are basically materialistic in nature. It can not be disputed that governments and other leadership forms increasingly seek to enhance their economic production in order to remain competitive in the markets and supposedly enhance the quality of life of their population. What they fail to appreciate is the fact that this is done at the expense of the environment that is essential for sustaining the holistic welfare of current and future populations. As a result, the natural resource base is diminishing at a very fast rate and this is likely to have far reaching implications on the welfare of both present and future generations. In particular, this is likely to culminate in the extinction of the very human race that current governments are working relentlessly to safeguard. A classic example that can be used to illustrate the results of current practices is the Easter Island episode.
Diamond (2004) ascertains that before the Island was inhabited, it was forested and had innumerable bird and plant species. The soils were productive and the Islanders had sufficient forest resources to sustain their survival. Availability of these resources reportedly led to a rise in population. This triggered intensive exploitation of natural resources and as the population reached its peak, the rate of resource exploitation was significantly high. With time, forest resources got depleted and the Islanders began to starve. Deforestation hastened the rate of soil erosion and this led to a decline of crop production. The quality of life fell and as hungry populations became angry, social order was replaced by chaos. Bitter fighting erupted and the population plunged in self destruction. Notably, this is an ideal example of how detrimental resource depletion can be.
Seemingly, this scenario is currently being experienced with the Amazon rain forest. The Amazon forest is currently the largest rain forest in South America. Statistical evidence shows that the rate of destruction currently stands at eighteen percent per annum and a significant twenty percent of the forest area has been deforested (Vajpeyi, 2001). This can be attributed to an increase in population and the need to enhance the quality of life of the populations. In addition, current economic policies that lay undue emphasis on the need to exploit resources can also be implicated for the destruction of the forests. Besides clearing the forest to provide land for human habitation, intensive agriculture that seeks to enhance food production is also a main cause of deforestation. If the current trend is not reversed, the ultimate scenario would be similar to the Easter Islands. In particular, Cassils (2004) predicts that resource depletion would possibly trigger genocide and armed conflicts. In the long run, this would contribute to the extinction of human species.
Various efforts have been made by a host of agencies that seek to enhance sustainable development. Undue emphasis has been placed on the creation of policies that are used in the exploitation of resources. Whilst these policies are imperatively important in regulating the exploitation of natural resources such as the rain forests, it is worth appreciating that most of them are not sustainable in nature. This is exemplified by the rising number of economic agencies that are being punished for contravening environmental laws and policies. It is in this consideration that I conclude by suggesting the following intervention measures that can be used to reverse the current trend. Assumption of these measures would probably make sustainable development a reality.
To begin with, relevant stakeholders need to focus on addressing the problem of population growth. This can be attained through creating awareness with regard to population control methods. Incentives need to be employed in order to hasten the process and to attain optimal results. According to Cassils (2004), unsustainable cultural practices in the third world need to be addressed accordingly in order to have the greatest impact. Reversing the current trends would yield beneficial effects as overexploitation of natural resources would be addressed and the quality of life enhanced at the same time. With respect to deforestation, Agro forestry should be encouraged in order to increase the forest cover to sustainable levels. This would be instrumental in providing for the economic needs of the populations without having negative effects on the natural forests.
Most importantly, efforts need to be directed at strengthening the institutions that are responsible for environmental protection in all countries.
In his review, Vajpeyi (2001) points out that developing countries are particularly faced with the challenge of implementing and enforcing sustainable environmental policies. In order to attain optimal results therefore, governments in these countries need to be compelled to assume responsibility with respect to environmental protection. Only then can sustainable development be achieved. Ladies and gentlemen, the time has reached for all parties to play an active role in enhancing environmental protection. The policy of thinking global and acting local should thus be assumed by each one of you. Thank you.
References
Cassils, J. (2004). Overpopulation, Sustainable Development and Security: Developing an Integrated Strategy. Population and Environment, 25 (3), 171-94.
Diamond, J. (2004). Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed. USA: Viking Adult.
Vajpeyi, K. (2001). Deforestation, Environment and Sustainable Development: A Comparative Analysis. USA: Preager.
