Many nations have developed their own laws aimed at protecting and even increasing biodiversity when possible; some well-known pieces of legislature in the United States include the Endangered Species Act, which was actually passed more than a decade before the term biodiversity was coined, and the Soil and Water Conservation Act and Clean Air Act, both of which were not specifically aimed at maintaining levels of biodiversity or slowing the rate of biodiversity oss, but which have these effects regardless (Faith 2007). Following the Convention on Biological Diversity in 1992, many other nations also began passing laws, and international laws and standards were also set (Pethiyagoda 2004). Ironically, some scientists claim, some of these laws are actually so restrictive that they are prohibitive to research attempts that would aid in the conservation effort by providing deeper and richer understandings of specific ecosystems and environments that are high in biodiversity (Pethiyagoda 2004). This is especially true in still-developing countries, many of which have enacted environmental and biodiversity protection laws as a means of gaining recognition from the developed world, but which prohibits them from conducting business and research in order to help them develop (Pethiyagoda 2004). Clearly, a clearer understanding...
The issue of biodiversity specifically and environmental protection at large cannot be separated from the realities of human existence. Though we use our environment too harshly and consumptively today, there is no doubt that our species depends on the environment as much as any other species. Balancing our needs with theirs will ensure continued biodiversity.
Biodiversity in Lake Baikal We are in a world where there is a continuous exploitation of natural resources and very little care about the environmental consequences. Rapid industrialization has created havoc to the delicately balanced ecosystems. The effect that human population has had on global ecosystem is certainly undeniable and global biodiversity is being seriously challenged. The rapid deforestation of Amazon forest, the irreparable damage that we have done to the
Because society is built upon the concept of money, the first and most important advantage of biodiversity is economic. Commercial, agricultural and pharmaceutical value can be derived from greater biodiversity. Indeed, increased biodiversity in rainforests is beneficial, because it derives a greater likelihood for the discovery of life-saving products. Critics might however argue that the likelihood of this is not very significant, and the process of "bioprospecting" for the purpose
Lake Tahoe Biodiversity Lake Tahoe is hailed as one of the most beautiful lakes in the United States. Over the last century or two, the fish biodiversity of the area has been a sight to behold. However, biodiversity tends to change over time. This particular report focuses on fish and there is much to be said even about fish in particular. This report will consult multiple sources and will create a
Economist on impacts of growth, "The Effects of Growth: The Long View" discusses, in brief, how economic development of human societies is actually beneficial to biodiversity, in spite of some negative aspects linked to it. It starts with a comparison of two nations -- South and North Korea -- and the way their economics and politics contribute to local biodiversity, that is, the region's forest cover. An identical comparison
The polar bears' most frequent spot is the area where ice meets the water as it makes it easier for them to hunt seals from the water in Arctic ice. Hence, Polar bears are particularly specialized for the life at the Arctic and he spends most of his time on ice till he dies. The ice sheets at Arctic contain certain areas of water that disappear when the weather changes
Environmental Case Study (Alberta's Oil Sands) Alberta's Oil Sands represents one of the international environmental problems facing Canada and close to seventy countries across the globe. Albert's Oil Sands proves to be a new course of political conflict within the setting of Canada and at the international level. Oil Sands development is responsible for rapid economic growth of Alberta. This creates ethical or moral dilemma because there is a massive risk
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