A Call to Action
By Barbara Zemskova and Stephen Dessel
Recently, there was an article on the front page of The Washington Post
concerning the number of species that recent presidential administrations have placed on
the endangered species list. Under the Endangered Species Act, a species can be
classified as vulnerable, threatened, or endangered, endangered meaning that there is the
strongest likelihood of it going extinct. At George H. W. Bush’s request, 52 species were
classified as endangered or threatened, and at Bill Clinton’s request, there were 81.
During this current administration, there were a total of…zero.
This has been a common pattern over the past seven years for the Bush
administration. They put impending environmental concerns on the backburner in favor
of big businesses, which is great for rich, taxpaying citizens. However, this could be
problematic in the long run. We are on the verge of a sixth major extinction event, which
is unique in that it is the first to be caused by a living organism. It might be too late to fix
future ecological problems if conservative governmental policies are not changed. Using
an environmental model called HIPPO, we will look at present ecological issues.
1. Habitat Destruction:
 Problem: Species are losing their habitat due to clear-cutting of forests and
conversion of grassland into crop fields. Ever since the Agricultural
Revolution, people began settling down in one place and transforming
natural landscape into agricultural land, roads, housing developments, and
cities. Although some areas are designated as parkland, some parks are
designed so poorly that their shape yields too much edge habitat. For
instance, a park shaped like a crescent moon has a large amount of land
close to its edge, while one shaped like a circle has more interior space.
 Solution: The best way to stop habitat destruction is to limit human
population growth and urbanization, following “Smart Growth” strategies
(see Population).
 Example: Leesburg in Fairfax County, Virginia is undergoing rapid urban
growth. Its landscape, which is lacking natural habitat, contrasts with the
Agricultural Reserve in Montgomery County.
2. Invasive Species:
 Problem: Invasive species threaten native organisms because they take
over native habitat, due to lack of predators and competition. Although
humans have been transporting non-native species for thousands of years,
the rate of movement has dramatically increased because of new
transportation developments. Introduction of invasive species can be
purposeful (aesthetic or economic value) or
accidental (attached to ships, packages, soil, shoes).
 Solution: In order to eliminate invasive species,
people can catch and kill these organisms. Also,
nurseries must discontinue the selling of non-native,
invasive nursery plants, such as English ivy, bamboo,
and purple loosestrife. Another method is to introduce
its natural predators. However, these predators can cause more problems
by becoming invasive species as well.
 Example: The snakehead fish was originally imported as an aquarium fish
from China. However, several organisms escaped and now live in natural
bodies of water. The snakehead fish feeds on native species of frogs, fish,
and turtles, and transmits foreign parasites.
3. Pollution
 Problem: Several factors contribute to air, water, and soil pollution.
Combustion of fossil fuels releases harmful gases, including carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and nitrogen oxides. Not only do these
gases contribute to the greenhouse effect and formation of photochemical
smog, but they also cause acid rain that destroys some aquatic ecosystems.
Pesticides affect immune, nervous, and reproductive systems of
organisms, including humans.
 Solution: Scientists must find efficient
alternative
energy
sources
for
our
transportation that are renewable, and limit
carbon dioxide emissions from industrial
buildings. Humans are much too dependent on
petroleum and coal, which pollute the
environment and only exist in a limited
amount. Harnessing energy from other
sources, such as the sun, water, and wind,
emits less carbon dioxide and is infinitely renewable. On a smaller scale,
individuals can drive less, use environmentally friendly appliances, and
even plant trees.
 Example: Mirant coal power plant in Dickerson, MD releases two tons of
carbon dioxide for every ton of coal that is burnt. Particulates and
greenhouse gas emissions significantly contribute to air pollution,
especially because carbon dioxide emissions are difficult to capture. Other
coal plants also put water back into waterways that is ten to twelve
degrees warmer than it originally was. Such thermal pollution is harmful
for aquatic ecosystems because the organisms cannot adjust to the rising
water temperature.
4. Population (Human):
 Problem: Human population has already exceeded six billion, and it is
projected to reach eight to ten billion by 2050. If humans continue to
consume resources at the current rate, there will be a significant lack of
food, water, and space, especially in the developing nations. Urbanization
can lead to destruction of natural habitats, soil erosion, and pollution.
 Solution: The best way to limit overpopulation is to encourage effective
family planning, especially in less developed countries. In order for family
planning to be effective, a family must consider its financial status and the
devastating impact of a large family on the environment. Family planning
often does not occur in developing nations because of a lack of women’s
rights and sheer ignorance. We must educate the poor in countries with
rapidly increasing populations.
 Example: Montgomery County is an area experiencing rapid population
growth; its population is currently around one million. New housing
developments have emerged in remote areas of the county, such as
Clarksburg, Damascus, and Poolesville.
5. Overharvesting:
 Problem: Technological advances improved fishing fleets and hunting
equipment, allowing humans to harvest more than they need. In addition,
fishermen often catch some unintended species that are stuck in the large
nets. Occasionally, only some parts of the caught individuals are used,
effectively wasting the life of an organism.
 Solution: The government can monitor fishing and hunting by enacting a
more stringent licensing system. It can also hire more park rangers to
prevent illegal poaching.
 Example: Crabbers in the Chesapeake Bay area are now required to obtain
a license in order to crab. This regulation resulted from a considerable
decrease in the crab population in the Bay due to overfishing.
Shark fins are a delicacy in Chinese
cuisine. Because shark meat itself is not
valuable, fishermen cut off the fins and the tails,
throwing the rest of the body overboard.
To a teenager living in the United States, a potential
environmental catastrophe may seem light years away.
However, the need to change our ways has indeed never been
more apparent. Many prominent politicians in government lack foresight; they only seem
to enact policies designed to be beneficial right now. It is necessary not only to reduce
one’s own impact on the environment, but also to convince the politicians that we need to
change as a society.
There is great concern that our procrastination in solving environmental problems
may prove fatal. However, if every person on the planet does some small action for the
wellbeing of the natural world, then the future of the environment will be a brighter one.