Pollution

Pollution

https://usgreentechnology.com/the-5-most-common-environmental-pollution-exposures/ caption

Ch. 8 Pollution (p. 135) -   

Pollution comes from a source and moves into a sink. Natural and human activities, or sources, produce byproducts and wastes that are then emitted back into the various planetary systems, or sinks. These products move through the environment at different speeds and in various ways: through air, through water, and through the food chain.

I picture pollution as laundry that needs to be stripped frequently to truly expose the amount of harmful toxins us humans are unaware of that are sneakily contaminating the air we breathe, our drinking water, and affecting the food chains. As pollutants are transported through the air and water, it accumulates all the bad we have put out such as improper disposal of toxic chemicals from household products, throwing trash into bodies of water, and etc. Covid-19 has shown what it is like for the environment without the negative human effects as we have seen nature restore itself for the better. I was in awe when I heard and saw pictures of the Venice canal in Italy and how clear it was after years of looking murky. That is nature's example of how it can thrive without the presence of humans and it also shows the downside of how significant humans are to the environment's condition. 

Ch. 3 The Obligation to Endure (p. 29) - 

The rapidity of change and the speed with which new situations are created follow the impetuous and heedless pace of man rather than the deliberate pace of nature.

This line is referring to how quickly us humans are using the amount of resources provided to us by nature. We are escalating the time frame we have on earth as most of us are not partaking in taking care of the planet. Basically, how I see it is that we are pushing the earth to its limit early on which can ultimately lead to a shorter lifespan and shorter supply of resources that is needed for our survival. If we allowed nature to go at its own pace we would not experiencing the harmful effects of the climate. Our obligation is to work with nature not against it. I feel we have been put ourselves in enough situations to continue to let our negligence take over our responsibility owed to the earth. 

Ch. 3 The Obligation to Endure (p. 32) -  

I contend, furthermore, that we have allowed these chemicals to be used with little or no advance investigation of their effect on soil, water, wildlife, and man himself. Future generations are unlikely to condone our lack of prudent concern for the integrity of the natural world that supports all life.

I agree with the context in this line as we have allowed for our chemicals to affect our natural resources, the environment, and us as a community. As mentioned, the future generations may not have the chance to experience what nature has to offer if we continue living an unsustainable life. It is up to us to set the example for future generations to preserve and partake in helping keep our planet standing by using minimal resources rather than taking advantage of it all at once. We have to put aside our selfish desires and think about how we want to envision the world our future children will live in. Once we stop thinking as one person and more as a community is when we choose to initiate change. 

References 

Leopold, A. (2018).  The Obligation to Endure. In S. Jackson, A. Nunes-Zaller, J. Salmond, B. Thomas (Eds.). A Sustainable Future: Equality, Ecology, and Economy (p. 28-33), Kendall Hunt Publishing.

Robertson, M. (2017). Sustainability Principles and Practice.     Routledge.