Kathleen Dallmann

Anthropology 2281
4-20-2017
Global Problems, Local Solutions

Planet Earth is plagued with global and local problems that threaten our current

way of life if we continue to travel down this path to total destruction of the ecosystem.

There is no longer any doubt: We are entering a mass extinction that threatens

humanitys existence (Ehrlich et al.). The scientist at Stanford University seems to

think the Earth is heading toward this mass extinction. That is the bad news at the

center of a new study by a group of scientists including Paul Ehrlich, the Bing Professor

of Population Studies in biology and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for

the Environment. Ehrlich and his co-authors call for fast action to conserve threatened

species, populations and habitat, but warn that the window of opportunity is rapidly

closing (Ehrlich et al.). The orangutans are one of the species that is in eminent

danger and is being threatened by human activity and the loss of their habitat. At one

time the worlds wild orangutan populations likely included upward of hundreds of

thousands of individuals, but current estimates indicate far fewer wild orangutans now

remain. During the past decade orangutan populations have probably decreased by 50%

in the wild. Although past climate shifts may have been responsible for some of this

decline, orangutans are primarily threatened by human activities and development that

cause the loss and degradation of their forest habitats. Currently, the IUNC has classified

the Bornean orangutan as Endangered and the Sumatran orangutan as Critically

Endangered (orangutan foundation et al.). I think that everyone on Earth knows

that the human population and our activities on the planet have strained the ecosystem to

the breaking point, yet we all continue on our life path and ignore the warning signs.

Biodiversity is the diversity between all of the plants and animals within our

environment on planet Earth. Biodiversity loss has a number of causes and effects that

are affecting every living organism on the planet. Pollution, global climate change and

habitat loss all effect biodiversity on the planet. Global climate change affects all species

on the planet, they have adapted to current weather conditions and when there is a

dramatic change in weather it can have detrimental effects. Loss of habitat, due to

mining, farming and deforestation is a major reason for different species going extinct.

The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as

biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, and microorganisms, the

enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such

as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth.

Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognize

this as being integral to any approach. Almost all cultures have in some way or form

recognized the importance that nature, and its biological diversity has had upon them and

the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed and politics have affected the precarious

balance (Shah et al.). This is unfortunately true, business and greed have caused

severer damage to our environment. The burning of fossil fuels for power and mining for

resources have polluted the air and the land. The need for land to use for agriculture and

urban sprawl have devastated habitats, caused immeasurable erosion and left the planet

gasping for relief. Humans have inflicted un-measurable amounts of damage to the

Earths surface, the atmosphere and our ecosystem. There is general agreement among
scientists that extinction rates have reached levels unparalleled since the dinosaurs died

out 66 million years ago. However, some have challenged the theory, believing earlier

estimates rested on assumptions that overestimated the crisis (Ehrlich et al.). This

continued devastation will result in our own extinction and every other species if environmental

behaviors are not altered quickly and converted to eco-friendly and sustainable new ways of life.

There is general agreement among scientists that extinction rates have reached levels

unparalleled since the dinosaurs died out 66 million years ago. However, some have

challenged the theory, believing earlier estimates rested on assumptions that

overestimated the crisis. The new study, published in the journal Science Advances,

shows that even with extremely conservative estimates, species are disappearing up to

about 100 times faster than the normal rate between mass extinctions, known as the

background rate. If it is allowed to continue, life would take many millions of years to

recover, and our species itself would likely disappear early on, said lead author Gerardo

Ceballos of the Universidad Autnoma de Mxico (Ehrlich et al.). Many studies on the

subject have concluded that if human activity continues on the current path irreversible

and mass extinction is inevitable.

Humans are the major contributing factor to pollution, deforestation and global

climate change. Although we are one of the major causes that are destroying the planet,

we can also be the solution to these problems by adopting environmentally responsible

behaviors. Environmentally responsible behaviors are acting in a responsible way to

persevere and keep the environment from being destroyed. Conservation efforts need to

be enacted in order to preserve the remaining species on the planet and minimize or

reverse the damage that we have already done. Conservation is the act of protecting the

plants and animals from harm, injury, loss and decay. Conservation efforts need to be
integrated into our lifestyle in order to preserve and sustain the environment.

Sustainability is the act of supporting and maintaining ecological balance with our

environment over a long period of time. Loss of habitat, due to deforestation is a major

reason for different species going extinct.

At the Salt Lake City Community College they have implemented conservation

efforts of there own. These efforts save energy, which have cut their overall operating

costs. The college has implemented changes to reduce the temperature in the buildings

during normal working hours to 68 degrees and 55 degrees during unoccupied hours.

The decrease in temperature alone saves them many thousands each year. In addition,

they have forbidden the use of any space heaters that are inefficient. Lights are turned

off in areas of nonuse and when classrooms are not being occupied. Over the weekend all

business equipment such as printers, computers, and copiers are turned off to save energy

(Energy Costs and Measures et al.).

Salt Lake City also implements conservation measures that have been adopted by

the city council. They have a conservation program called Green. This program is

committed to conserving resources and preserving our environment (Sustainable Salt

Lake | Conserving & Preserving Resources et al.). The City of Salt Lake is a model for

businesses in the city and community. They use the following programs below:

Cruiser Bicycles for staff to use for short errands and nearby meetings.

Energy Conservation using CFL or other energy efficient alternatives in all

lighting and all computer workstations are set to energy saving mode.

Dishes in the break room Rather than use paper plates and foam cups.
 Recycling All recyclable waste is collected at one of 7 recycling stations within

our offices and all computers, batteries, and other e-waste are recycled as needed.

Reduction of waste Staff members of Visit Salt Lake are encouraged to avoid

printing or to print two-sided when necessary.

Paper Products All paper products used by Visit Salt Lake are printed on recycled

paper (Sustainable Salt Lake | Conserving & Preserving Resources et al.)

In addition the city of Salt Lake City also has water conservation measures that are in

place. Using these best practices, they are able to create public spaces that are

environmentally friendly and use the least amount of water to maintain.

1. Landscape Design

2. Soil analysis

3. Appropriate plant selection

4. Practical turf areas

5. Efficient irrigation

6. Use of mulch

7. Appropriate maintenance (Sustainable Salt Lake | Conserving & Preserving

Resources et al.)

As well as the conservation efforts that are made by the programs, there are also

laws in place in Salt Lake City to help keep our air clean. One of these laws makes it

illegal to burn wood from January to March, unless it is for eating purposes. You are also
required by law to get your car checked for emissions, ensuring your car does not put an

excessive amount of pollution in to the air.

The state of Utah is expecting its population to double in approximately the next

30 to 40 years and has implemented conservation plans to help meet our increasing water

needs. Meeting future water needs will require a balanced approach of improved water

conservation, enhanced efficiency of our current infrastructure and strategic development

of new projects. The need to conserve water and reduce our per capita water use is

imperative to meeting the states future water needs. The Division supports Slow the

Flow and has made a goal to reduce 2000 per capita water use by at least 25 percent

statewide by 2025. This goal is being achieved by implementing several strategies that

mostly include education, as well as some regulation First, the Revolving Construction

Fund, which provides resources for the building of rural drinking water systems, well

development and the construction of irrigation systems. Second, Cities Water Loan Fund,

which provides financial help for cities, towns and districts for the construction of

municipal water projects. Third, the Conservation and Development Fund, which helps

fund large construction projects, like dams and large municipal irrigation and drinking

water systems (Water Resources et al.).

Utah State University has a conservation program in tact. This conservation

program restores Utah land and has maintained and restored over 3,300 miles of trails. In

addition to rebuilding land, they have built over 420 miles of fencing, and restored over

40,700 acres of habitat. As well as the work they have done to restore and add to our

environment they have educated almost 300,000 students (Conservation act et al.).
 Primatologists research and educate people on how to conserve and sustain the

rainforests. Community conservation efforts and sustainability are vital for all life on

Earth. Some conservation efforts are being made by Salt Lake City and the state of Utah.

There are laws in place that prevent wood burning January through March, unless for

cooking food. Utah has an emissions law stating that you have to get your car checked

and if your car is putting too much pollution in to the air, you cannot legally drive it. The

government has a water program in place that is planning to cut water use down by 25%

by the year 2012. Utah State University has a program in place that helps preserve Utah

trails and restores habitat. Will our city, state, and personal efforts be enough to sustain

life on planet Earth?

Ironically we could discuss all the measures needed in order to protect the

orangutans from extinction. The simple fact is that the orangutans seem to be a bellwether

for our own future. All the measures needed to be taken to save orangutans and all the

other species need to be taken to save us from extinction too. Humans have inflicted un-

measurable amounts of damage to the Earths surface, the atmosphere and our ecosystem.

This continued devastation will result in the extinction of all species on Earth, including

our own, if environmental behaviors are not altered quickly and converted to eco-friendly

and sustainable new ways of life for all. I personally make a contribution to saving the

planet each and every day. For starters I only eat plant-based foods, in addition I also

recycle to do my part on saving the planet. Im also aware of the damage my vehicle does

to the air and I take mass transit when I have the opportunity. I also try not to support

companies that destroy and pollute the planet, when it can be avoided. I also spread the
word about needing to protect the planet from further destruction. If every person did

there part it would help.

 Works Cited

"Energy Costs and Measures." Salt Lake Community College. N.p., Dec. & jan. 2013.
Web.

"Sustainable Salt Lake | Conserving & Preserving Resources." Visit Salt Lake. N.p., n.d.
Web. 23 Apr. 2017.

Anup Shah, "Biodiversity." Global Issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.

"Water Resources." Utah Department of Natural Resources. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.

Unversity, Utah State. "Conservation act." Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.

"Why are orangutans in danger of becoming extinct?" Orangutan Foundation

International Australia. N.p., 12 July 2016. Web. 23 Apr. 2017.

Paul Ehrlich, University, Stanford. "Stanford researcher says sixth mass extinction is
here." Stanford News. N.p., 08 Apr. 2016. Web. 19 June. 2015.