Sunday, December 17, 2006
To Michael (About BLOG)
Hi Michael,
This projict was awesome! We were able to share a lot of information and know each other well! I was able to find the everyone's unknown personality, and everyone must have learned about me.
I always looked forward to reading everyone's blog. Some people sometimes wrote the article related to me. It was really interesting!
This projict was awesome! We were able to share a lot of information and know each other well! I was able to find the everyone's unknown personality, and everyone must have learned about me.
I always looked forward to reading everyone's blog. Some people sometimes wrote the article related to me. It was really interesting!
Friday, December 15, 2006
Final Paper
Endangered Species:
Reasons They Should Be Protected
Kenta Uchida
Lewis & Clark College
AES 220 – (01)
December 13, 2006
Abstract
Today, there are many endangered species in the world. Humans generally have the thought that they should protect them, and society tends to take this for granted.
Contrary to this assumption, there are conflicts between groups who support protecting endangered species and those who oppose it. There are humanists, workers, landowners and people who care about economics among those who oppose it. These opposite view are not easily solved because they involve competing interests.
However, humans should recognize that all species are equal and they have the duty to save other species. Humans should protect endangered species, and this can be accomplished without harming human interests. As a result, to protect endangered species will bring enormous benefits to humans.
Today, there are many endangered species in the world. Everyone has heard the word “endangered species,” but does everyone know what endangered species are? Do people know that they are intimately connected with humans? Perhaps many people are unaware of the issue or think humans and endangered species are not connected. However, in fact, they are closely associated with humans and they are very important to humans. First, it is necessary for everyone to know what endangered species are.
“Endangered species are any species of plant or animal that is threatened with extinction” (Safra, 2005, p.489). “Today, species become endangered primarily due to human activities. They mainly become endangered due to (1) habitat loss, (2) wildlife trade, (3) overhunting, and competition with domestic and nonnative animals” (Extinct and Endangered Species, 2006, p.269). Thus, humans are closely associated with them. To protect endangered species, there is the Endangered Species Act. “The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted by Congress in 1973 in response to an alarming decline of many animal and plant species. The ultimate goal of the ESA is to return threatened and endangered species to the point where they no longer need the law's protections” (Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, n.d., p.1). Humans generally have the thought that they should protect endangered species, and society tends to take this for granted. However, contrary to this assumption, there are conflicts between groups who support protecting endangered species and those who oppose it. There is a wide variety of people among those who oppose it. There are humanists, workers, landowners and the people who care about economics among those who oppose protecting endangered species.
As just mentioned, some people think that humans do not need to protect endangered species if it means humans sacrifice their standard of living. Especially because humans are self-centered, they tend to think that they have only to maintain their lives. Among them some people especially think that humans are much superior to other species and their interests should be put before other species. They hate to spend a lot of money for protecting other species. Also, some workers say that protecting species can harm workers ability to make a living. “There’s also the problem of job losses in logging and a few other industries” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). Robert J. Smith, who is the director of environmental studies at the Cato Institute, revealed it more concretely like this, “Studies by Oregon and Washington universities as well as by industry economists suggest a total loss of as many as 100,000 jobs” (Smith, 2001, p.1). As he describes, although all species should be equal, workers are sometimes ignored and forced to lose their jobs because of endangered species' higher priority in securing their protection.
Not only workers but also land owners suffer from protecting endangered species. Already introduced, “the law has protected most of the species whose extinction it set out to prevent. But it has generated a fierce backlash from landowners, who dispute the way the ESA sometimes forces them to set aside private property for use as animal habitat －giving rise to the congressional “takings” controversy” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). In addition to that, according to Elizabeth Brubaker, who is executive director of Environment Probe, “Individual land owners would bear the full costs of preserving habitat, even though their actions would benefit all of society” (National Post Online, 1999, p.2). There are many people who care about the negative economic impact of the ESA. Sam Aanestad, who sits on the Natural Resources and Water Committee of the California Senate, gives an example of lumber mills that have gone out of business in Oregon. “The misguided environmental mandates that have been imposed through the ESA and other efforts have brought this area to its knees with an economic sucker punch to gut” (2005, p.1). “Thanks to environmental restrictions that have been imposed since 1990, more than 80 of these mills have been forced to close” (2005, p.1).
These economic problems are not easily solved because they involve competing interests. If there is a conflict between human and animal interests, what should be done? Although it is a complex problem, humans should protect endangered species, and this can be accomplished without doing undue to human interests. In order to do this, society needs to reflect on the original intention of the ESA and suggest how humans should protect endangered species with the least harm to humans.
First, perhaps people who consider humans to be the supreme species should change the way of their thinking. They might not understand the importance of other species. There are several reasons why humans should protect endangered species. It is important to understand that humans are also a species and they have the possibility to be endangered themselves. Humans are inclined to think that they are the most superior species. However, this way of thinking doesn’t work because humans can live only because of other species. To lose a species means the destruction or change of the ecosystem and it could lead to the extinction of humans in the future. An example of this is the cycling of materials in any ecosystem. “The cycling of phosphorus provides an example of this process. All organisms require phosphorus. Plants take up phosphorus compounds from the soil, and animals get phosphorus from the plants or other animals they eat. Decomposers return phosphorus to the soil after plants and die (Ecosystems, 2006, p.55)”. Thus, all species help each other to live. Sometimes, humans don’t worry about things which don’t concern them directly. Recently, some people have finally started to worry about environmental problems: global warming, deforestation, desertification, oil spills and so on. In the future, the problem led by the destruction or change of the ecosystem will cause serious problems that concern all humans. Society needs to recognize that humans and endangered species live together and help each other. This is the first thing that should happen.
In addition, humans are often the cause of extinguishing species. They pollute and change the earth for their benefit. For example, according to Professor Meyer, author of the paper and director of the MIT research group, “States with booming economics attracted larger numbers of new residents, which in turn put increasing pressures on habitats, and that implies a larger likelihood of human-wildlife collisions that result in a new listing” (Massachusetts Institute of Technology News Office, 1995, p.1). He indicates that human interest leads to expansion of people into areas that formerly were not settled. As one might guess, this puts humans into contact with species that were not living with people before and, therefore, cause a danger to the animals’ environment. From the beginning, land owners started to settle based on their interests without thinking about other species. Land owners have to recognize the fact that they originally influenced the demise of the species’ habitats. All species are equal and have to respect each other. Similarly, humans have caused sea-level change, climate change, overkill and so on. This also has brought the demise of many species’ habitat. Humans are very greedy by nature. If humans reconsider this fact and accept it, they can end their greed.
As described, people who care about economics are concerned with negative economic impact. However, this notion is mistaken because many people just don’t know a lot about the facts. According to a working paper published by the Project on Environmental Politics and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “The Endangered Species Act has not had a negative economic impact on states, despite the claims of its detractors” (1995, p.1). The author says the reason is this: “the economic effects of endangered species listings are so highly localized, of such small scale, and short duration that they do not substantially affect state economic performance in the aggregate” (1995, p.1). Besides that, Richard L. Wallace, who is a Ph.D. student in natural resource at Yale University, writes that “Unemployment is low as the number of jobs increases, even in Oregon’s most timber-dependent areas” (1995, p.2). “Oregonians are up to their ears in jobs and unemployment rates throughout the state are largely lower than the national average” (1995, p.2). From this article, one can recognize the unnecessary concerns about the adverse effects on economy.
Based on the discussion above it is clean that humans don’t need to care so much about global economic effects of the ESA. However, endangered species certainly cause the loss of many jobs at the local level. So, what should the workers who lost their jobs do? There are proposals to help solve this dilemma. Some studies seem to show that the ESA does not really cause economic harm. It is very complicated to know the exact effect of the ESA became so many factors are involved. Although some jobs may be lost in the short term, in the long term, the ESA will help the economy grow. According to Gunther, Ph.D., who is executive director of the Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration in Oakland, “These goods and services include clean air and water, crop pollination, water retention and flood control, soil formation and waste assimilation. Our economy depends upon these factors just as it does on fossil fuels, capital investment and labor. If we want a strong economy for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, it makes economic sense to protect the ecosystems that provide that provide these valuable goods and services” (2005, p.1). “This selective application of economic theory leads to analyses that give great weight to easily quantified costs (i.e., timber not cut, the cost of emission control equipment or the value of unsold water “left” in a river), but ignore the costs incurred if environmental protections are not provided (soil erosion, childhood asthma or damaged fisheries). These selective economic arguments can be made quite compelling, because the quantifiable costs are often borne by specific individuals or corporations in particular instances, while the hard-to-quantify (but no less economic) costs are borne by society as a whole (including future generations) due to the cumulative impact of the activities of all individuals or corporations” (2005, p.1).
In conclusion, humans must protect all species. They should not make light of any species’ existence. Every life always connects to another life in the ecosystem. If they chose temporary benefits, it would be bound to invite fatal consequence in the future. Don’t forget that all species are equal and they have the duty to save other species, which will help insure their own existence. Also, humans have the way to solve the problems caused by protecting endangered species. To protect endangered species will surely reduce environmental problems. Reducing the environmental problems is of enormous interests to humans. As a result, to protect endangered species will surely bring enormous interests to humans.
References
Aanestad, S. (2005, September 28). California State Senator Governor. Whither the Endangered Species Act? Changes needed to restore jobs?. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://republican.sen.ca.gov/opeds/4/oped2956.asp
Easterbrook, G. (1998, March 2). New Republic. Greener pastures. Retrieved December 4, 2006, from Academic Search Premier.
Ecosystems. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 55). Chicago: World Book, Inc.
Extinct and Endangered Species. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 269). Chicago: World Book, Inc.
Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. Glossary. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/governorlocke/gsro/glossary.htm
Gunther, A. J. (2005, September 28). Whither the Endangered Species Act? Protection is good economics. Retrieved December, 13, 2006, from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/09/28/EDGN7EUB761.DTL
Massachusetts Institute of Technology News Office. (1995, April 7). Endangered Species Act Has Not Slowed Economic Development, Says Paper Published at MIT. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1995/print/endangered-print.html
National Post Online. (1999, September 13). How not to save species. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://www.environmentprobe.org/EnviroProbe/evpress/091399a_fpost.html
Safra, J. E. (2005). Endangered Species. In The New Encyclopædia Britannica (Vol. 4, p. 489). Chicago : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Shogren, J. F. (1997, January 2). Economics and the Endangered Species Act. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://www.umich.edu/~esupdate/library/97.01-02/shogren.html
Smith, R. J. (2001). The Cato Review of Business & Government. The Endangered Species Act: Saving Species or Stopping Growth?. Retrieved November, 14, 2006, from http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg15n1-smith.html
Wallace, R. L. (1995). The Ethical Spectacle Org. Why Endangered Species Protection vs. Economic Development Doesn't Have to Be a Win- Lose Scenario. Retrieved November 19, 2006, from http://www.spectacle.org/196/rich1.html
Reasons They Should Be Protected
Kenta Uchida
Lewis & Clark College
AES 220 – (01)
December 13, 2006
Abstract
Today, there are many endangered species in the world. Humans generally have the thought that they should protect them, and society tends to take this for granted.
Contrary to this assumption, there are conflicts between groups who support protecting endangered species and those who oppose it. There are humanists, workers, landowners and people who care about economics among those who oppose it. These opposite view are not easily solved because they involve competing interests.
However, humans should recognize that all species are equal and they have the duty to save other species. Humans should protect endangered species, and this can be accomplished without harming human interests. As a result, to protect endangered species will bring enormous benefits to humans.
Today, there are many endangered species in the world. Everyone has heard the word “endangered species,” but does everyone know what endangered species are? Do people know that they are intimately connected with humans? Perhaps many people are unaware of the issue or think humans and endangered species are not connected. However, in fact, they are closely associated with humans and they are very important to humans. First, it is necessary for everyone to know what endangered species are.
“Endangered species are any species of plant or animal that is threatened with extinction” (Safra, 2005, p.489). “Today, species become endangered primarily due to human activities. They mainly become endangered due to (1) habitat loss, (2) wildlife trade, (3) overhunting, and competition with domestic and nonnative animals” (Extinct and Endangered Species, 2006, p.269). Thus, humans are closely associated with them. To protect endangered species, there is the Endangered Species Act. “The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted by Congress in 1973 in response to an alarming decline of many animal and plant species. The ultimate goal of the ESA is to return threatened and endangered species to the point where they no longer need the law's protections” (Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office, n.d., p.1). Humans generally have the thought that they should protect endangered species, and society tends to take this for granted. However, contrary to this assumption, there are conflicts between groups who support protecting endangered species and those who oppose it. There is a wide variety of people among those who oppose it. There are humanists, workers, landowners and the people who care about economics among those who oppose protecting endangered species.
As just mentioned, some people think that humans do not need to protect endangered species if it means humans sacrifice their standard of living. Especially because humans are self-centered, they tend to think that they have only to maintain their lives. Among them some people especially think that humans are much superior to other species and their interests should be put before other species. They hate to spend a lot of money for protecting other species. Also, some workers say that protecting species can harm workers ability to make a living. “There’s also the problem of job losses in logging and a few other industries” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). Robert J. Smith, who is the director of environmental studies at the Cato Institute, revealed it more concretely like this, “Studies by Oregon and Washington universities as well as by industry economists suggest a total loss of as many as 100,000 jobs” (Smith, 2001, p.1). As he describes, although all species should be equal, workers are sometimes ignored and forced to lose their jobs because of endangered species' higher priority in securing their protection.
Not only workers but also land owners suffer from protecting endangered species. Already introduced, “the law has protected most of the species whose extinction it set out to prevent. But it has generated a fierce backlash from landowners, who dispute the way the ESA sometimes forces them to set aside private property for use as animal habitat －giving rise to the congressional “takings” controversy” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). In addition to that, according to Elizabeth Brubaker, who is executive director of Environment Probe, “Individual land owners would bear the full costs of preserving habitat, even though their actions would benefit all of society” (National Post Online, 1999, p.2). There are many people who care about the negative economic impact of the ESA. Sam Aanestad, who sits on the Natural Resources and Water Committee of the California Senate, gives an example of lumber mills that have gone out of business in Oregon. “The misguided environmental mandates that have been imposed through the ESA and other efforts have brought this area to its knees with an economic sucker punch to gut” (2005, p.1). “Thanks to environmental restrictions that have been imposed since 1990, more than 80 of these mills have been forced to close” (2005, p.1).
These economic problems are not easily solved because they involve competing interests. If there is a conflict between human and animal interests, what should be done? Although it is a complex problem, humans should protect endangered species, and this can be accomplished without doing undue to human interests. In order to do this, society needs to reflect on the original intention of the ESA and suggest how humans should protect endangered species with the least harm to humans.
First, perhaps people who consider humans to be the supreme species should change the way of their thinking. They might not understand the importance of other species. There are several reasons why humans should protect endangered species. It is important to understand that humans are also a species and they have the possibility to be endangered themselves. Humans are inclined to think that they are the most superior species. However, this way of thinking doesn’t work because humans can live only because of other species. To lose a species means the destruction or change of the ecosystem and it could lead to the extinction of humans in the future. An example of this is the cycling of materials in any ecosystem. “The cycling of phosphorus provides an example of this process. All organisms require phosphorus. Plants take up phosphorus compounds from the soil, and animals get phosphorus from the plants or other animals they eat. Decomposers return phosphorus to the soil after plants and die (Ecosystems, 2006, p.55)”. Thus, all species help each other to live. Sometimes, humans don’t worry about things which don’t concern them directly. Recently, some people have finally started to worry about environmental problems: global warming, deforestation, desertification, oil spills and so on. In the future, the problem led by the destruction or change of the ecosystem will cause serious problems that concern all humans. Society needs to recognize that humans and endangered species live together and help each other. This is the first thing that should happen.
In addition, humans are often the cause of extinguishing species. They pollute and change the earth for their benefit. For example, according to Professor Meyer, author of the paper and director of the MIT research group, “States with booming economics attracted larger numbers of new residents, which in turn put increasing pressures on habitats, and that implies a larger likelihood of human-wildlife collisions that result in a new listing” (Massachusetts Institute of Technology News Office, 1995, p.1). He indicates that human interest leads to expansion of people into areas that formerly were not settled. As one might guess, this puts humans into contact with species that were not living with people before and, therefore, cause a danger to the animals’ environment. From the beginning, land owners started to settle based on their interests without thinking about other species. Land owners have to recognize the fact that they originally influenced the demise of the species’ habitats. All species are equal and have to respect each other. Similarly, humans have caused sea-level change, climate change, overkill and so on. This also has brought the demise of many species’ habitat. Humans are very greedy by nature. If humans reconsider this fact and accept it, they can end their greed.
As described, people who care about economics are concerned with negative economic impact. However, this notion is mistaken because many people just don’t know a lot about the facts. According to a working paper published by the Project on Environmental Politics and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “The Endangered Species Act has not had a negative economic impact on states, despite the claims of its detractors” (1995, p.1). The author says the reason is this: “the economic effects of endangered species listings are so highly localized, of such small scale, and short duration that they do not substantially affect state economic performance in the aggregate” (1995, p.1). Besides that, Richard L. Wallace, who is a Ph.D. student in natural resource at Yale University, writes that “Unemployment is low as the number of jobs increases, even in Oregon’s most timber-dependent areas” (1995, p.2). “Oregonians are up to their ears in jobs and unemployment rates throughout the state are largely lower than the national average” (1995, p.2). From this article, one can recognize the unnecessary concerns about the adverse effects on economy.
Based on the discussion above it is clean that humans don’t need to care so much about global economic effects of the ESA. However, endangered species certainly cause the loss of many jobs at the local level. So, what should the workers who lost their jobs do? There are proposals to help solve this dilemma. Some studies seem to show that the ESA does not really cause economic harm. It is very complicated to know the exact effect of the ESA became so many factors are involved. Although some jobs may be lost in the short term, in the long term, the ESA will help the economy grow. According to Gunther, Ph.D., who is executive director of the Center for Ecosystem Management and Restoration in Oakland, “These goods and services include clean air and water, crop pollination, water retention and flood control, soil formation and waste assimilation. Our economy depends upon these factors just as it does on fossil fuels, capital investment and labor. If we want a strong economy for ourselves, our children and grandchildren, it makes economic sense to protect the ecosystems that provide that provide these valuable goods and services” (2005, p.1). “This selective application of economic theory leads to analyses that give great weight to easily quantified costs (i.e., timber not cut, the cost of emission control equipment or the value of unsold water “left” in a river), but ignore the costs incurred if environmental protections are not provided (soil erosion, childhood asthma or damaged fisheries). These selective economic arguments can be made quite compelling, because the quantifiable costs are often borne by specific individuals or corporations in particular instances, while the hard-to-quantify (but no less economic) costs are borne by society as a whole (including future generations) due to the cumulative impact of the activities of all individuals or corporations” (2005, p.1).
In conclusion, humans must protect all species. They should not make light of any species’ existence. Every life always connects to another life in the ecosystem. If they chose temporary benefits, it would be bound to invite fatal consequence in the future. Don’t forget that all species are equal and they have the duty to save other species, which will help insure their own existence. Also, humans have the way to solve the problems caused by protecting endangered species. To protect endangered species will surely reduce environmental problems. Reducing the environmental problems is of enormous interests to humans. As a result, to protect endangered species will surely bring enormous interests to humans.
References
Aanestad, S. (2005, September 28). California State Senator Governor. Whither the Endangered Species Act? Changes needed to restore jobs?. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://republican.sen.ca.gov/opeds/4/oped2956.asp
Easterbrook, G. (1998, March 2). New Republic. Greener pastures. Retrieved December 4, 2006, from Academic Search Premier.
Ecosystems. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 55). Chicago: World Book, Inc.
Extinct and Endangered Species. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 269). Chicago: World Book, Inc.
Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. Glossary. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/governorlocke/gsro/glossary.htm
Gunther, A. J. (2005, September 28). Whither the Endangered Species Act? Protection is good economics. Retrieved December, 13, 2006, from http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/09/28/EDGN7EUB761.DTL
Massachusetts Institute of Technology News Office. (1995, April 7). Endangered Species Act Has Not Slowed Economic Development, Says Paper Published at MIT. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1995/print/endangered-print.html
National Post Online. (1999, September 13). How not to save species. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://www.environmentprobe.org/EnviroProbe/evpress/091399a_fpost.html
Safra, J. E. (2005). Endangered Species. In The New Encyclopædia Britannica (Vol. 4, p. 489). Chicago : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Shogren, J. F. (1997, January 2). Economics and the Endangered Species Act. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://www.umich.edu/~esupdate/library/97.01-02/shogren.html
Smith, R. J. (2001). The Cato Review of Business & Government. The Endangered Species Act: Saving Species or Stopping Growth?. Retrieved November, 14, 2006, from http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg15n1-smith.html
Wallace, R. L. (1995). The Ethical Spectacle Org. Why Endangered Species Protection vs. Economic Development Doesn't Have to Be a Win- Lose Scenario. Retrieved November 19, 2006, from http://www.spectacle.org/196/rich1.html
Friday, December 08, 2006
Endangered Species: Reasons They Should Be Protected
Today, there are many endangered species in the world. You probably have heard the word “Endangered species” at least one time in your life. Then, do you know what endangered species are? Do you know that they are connected with humans? I think that most people are unaware of the issue and think we are not connected with them. However, in fact they are closely associated with humans and they are very important to humans. First, it is necessary for us to know what endangered species are.
According to The New Encyclopædia Britannica, endangered species are any species of plant or animal that is threatened with extinction. “Today, species become endangered primarily due to human activities. They mainly become endangered due to (1) habitat loss, (2) wildlife trade, (3) overhunting, and competition with domestic and nonnative animals” (World Book, 2006, p.269). Thus, humans are closely associated with them. To protect endangered species, there is Endangered Species Act. “The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted by Congress in 1973 in response to an alarming decline of many animal and plant species. The ultimate goal of the ESA is to return threatened and endangered species to the point where they no longer need the law's protections” (Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office). Humans generally have the thought that they should protect them, and society tends to take this for granted. However, contrary to this assumption, there are conflicts between groups who support protecting endangered species and those who oppose it. There is a wide variety of people among those who oppose it. There are humanists, workers, landowners and the people who care about economics among those who oppose protecting endangered species.
As I described briefly just now, some people think that humans do not need to protect endangered species if it means humans sacrifice their standard of living. Especially because humans are self-centered, they tend to think that they have only to maintain their lives. Among them some people especially think that humans are much superior to other species and their interests should be put humans before other species. They hate to spend a lot of money for protecting other species. Also, some workers say that protecting species can harm workers ability to make a living. According to Greg Easterbrook, “There’s also the problem of job losses in logging and a few other industries” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). Robert J. Smith who is the director of environmental studies at the Cato Institute revealed it more concretely like this, “Studies by Oregon and Washington universities as well as by industry economists suggest a total loss of as many as 100,000 jobs” (National Post Online, 1999). As he describes, although all species should be equal, workers are sometimes ignored and forced to lose their jobs because of endangered species' higher priority on securing their protecting. Besides that, the article written by Richard L. Wallace indicates “Oregonians are up to their ears in jobs and unemployment rates” (Wallace, 1995), “`Owls or jobs` was a political tool of the reactionary right” (Wallace, 1995). From this article, we can recognize the serious problem for workers. Not only workers but also land owners suffer from protecting endangered species. Gregg Easterbrook points out, “The law has protected most of the species whose extinction it set out to prevent. But it has generated a fierce backlash from landowners, who dispute the way the ESA sometimes forces them to set aside private property for use as animal habitat －giving rise to the congressional “takings” controversy” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). In addition to that, according to Elizabeth Brubaker, “Individual land owners would bear the full costs of preserving habitat, even though their actions would benefit all of society” (National Post Online, 1999). This is pointed out as a factor causing the law made by ESA. “The law -- expected to be called the Species at Risk Act – would forbid harming endangered or threatened species and destroying their habitat, whether on public or private lands. Violators would be subject to criminal sanctions, including fines and prison sentences” (National Post Online, 1999). Also, there are some people who care about economics concerning negative economic impact. Sam Aanestad points out the negative impact by the program of ESA. “The misguided environmental mandates that have been imposed through the ESA and other efforts have brought this area to its knees with an economic sucker punch to gut” (Aanestad, 2005). “Thanks to environmental restrictions that have been imposed since 1990, more than 80 of these mills have been forced to close” (Aanestad, 2005).
These problems are not easily solved because they involve competing interests. If there is a conflict between human and animal interests, what should be done? Although it is a complex problem, humans should protect endangered species, and this can be accomplished without harming human interests. In order to do this, we need to reflect the original intention. Now I want to suggest how humans should do this.
First, I think that people who consider humans to be the supreme species should change the way of their thinking. They don’t understand the importance of other species. There are several reasons why humans should protect endangered species. It is important to understand that humans are also a species and they have the possibility to be endangered themselves. Humans are inclined to think that they are the most superior species. However, this way of thinking doesn’t work because humans can live only because of other species. To lose a species means the destruction or change of the ecosystem and it could lead to the extinction of humans in the future. I want to explain cycling of materials under ecosystem. “The cycling of phosphorus provides an example of this process. All organisms require phosphorus. Plants take up phosphorus compounds from the soil, and animals get phosphorus from the plants or other animals they eat. Decomposers return phosphorus to the soil after plants and die (World Book, 2006, p.55)”. Thus, all species help to live each other. Sometimes, humans don’t worry about things which don’t concern them directly. Recently, some people have finally started to worry about environmental problems: global warming, deforestation, desertification, oil spills and so on. In the future, the problem led by the destruction or change of the ecosystem will cause serious problems that concern all humans. We need to recognize that humans and endangered species live together and help each other. This is the first thing we should do.
In addition, humans are often the cause of extinguishing species. They pollute and change the earth for their benefit. I want to give one example. According to Professor Meyer, “States with booming economics attracted larger numbers of new residents, which in turn put increasing pressures on habitats, and that implies a larger likelihood of human-wildlife collisions that result in a new listing” (Massachusetts institute of technology news office, 1995). He indicates that human’s interest leads to expansion of people into areas that formerly were not settled. As you guess, this puts humans into contact with species that were not living with people before and, therefore, cause a danger to the animals’ environment. From the beginning, land owners started to settle for their interests without thinking about other species. Land owners have to recognize the fact that they originally influenced the demise of the species’ habitats. All species are equal and have to respect each other. Besides that, humans have caused Sea-level change, climate change, overkill and so on. This also has brought the demise of many species’ habitat. Humans are very greedy by nature. If humans reconsider this fact and accept it, they can end their greed.
As I described, people who care about economics are concerned with negative economic impact. However, this is notion and wrong, and humans don’t just know a lot about the facts. According to a working paper published by the Project on Environmental Politics and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “The Endangered Species Act has not had a negative economic impact on states, despite the claims of its detractors” (Massachusetts institute of technology news office, 1995). The author says the reason is this: “the economic effects of endangered species listings are so highly localized, of such small scale, and short duration that they do not substantially affect state economic performance in the aggregate” (Massachusetts institute of technology news office, 1995).
Thus, humans don’t need to care so much about global economic effects. However, endangered species certainly cause the loss of many jobs. Then, what should the workers who lost their jobs do? I would like to make a proposition to solve it. According to Jason F. Shogren who is the Thomas Stroock Distinguished Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management and Professor of Economics, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyong, “From society’ perspective, endangered species with limited commercial or consumptive benefits are undervalued by market prices, and thus there is pressure to use the private services at the expense of the public services” (Shogren, 1997). He points out that public service doesn’t help to protect endangered species. I think that if both private and public service work to protect endangered species, this will spark a movement to protect endangered species without harming human interests. That is, public service should not just leave the matter to private service. The cooperation of public institution will save the workers who lost their jobs. The government can help the workers maintain jobs and possibly make new laws to help them with this. If the public service works well, the protection of workers’ jobs will surely get better.
Finally, I point out the danger of excessive development. I think that excessive development will penalize humans and endangered species. Excessive development has brought serious environmental problems to humans, and it has also brought the demise of habitat to all species. Humans should recognize the disadvantageous facts and choose a way to coexist.
In conclusion, humans must protect all species. They should not make light of any species’ existence. Every life always connects to another life in the ecosystem. If they chose temporary benefits, it would be bound to invite fatal consequence in the future. Don’t forget that all species are equal and they have the duty to save other species, which will help insure their own existence. Also, humans have the way to solve the problems caused by protecting endangered species. To protect endangered species will surely reduce environmental problems. Reducing the environmental problems is of enormous interests to humans. As a result, to protect endangered species will surely bring enormous interests to humans.
References
Aanestad, S. (2005, September 28). California State Senator Governor. Whither the Endangered Species Act? Changes needed to restore jobs?. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://republican.sen.ca.gov/opeds/4/oped2956.asp
Easterbrook, G. (1998, March 2). New Republic. GREENER PASTURES. Retrieved December 4, 2006, from Academic Search Premier.
Ecosystems. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 55). Chicago : World Book, Inc.
Extinct and Endangered Species. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 269). Chicago : World Book, Inc.
Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. Glossary. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/governorlocke/gsro/glossary.htm
Massachusetts institute of technology news office. (1995, April 7). Endangered Species Act Has Not Slowed Economic Development, Says Paper Published at MIT. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1995/print/endangered-print.html
National Post Online. (1999, September 13). How not to save species. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://www.environmentprobe.org/EnviroProbe/evpress/091399a_fpost.html
Safra, J. E. (2005). Endangered Species. In The New Encyclopædia Britannica (Vol. 4, p. 489). Chicago : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Shogren, J. F. (1997, January 2). Economics and the Endangered Species Act. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://www.umich.edu/~esupdate/library/97.01-02/shogren.html
Smith, R. J. (2001). The Cato Review of Business & Government. The Endangered Species Act: Saving Species or Stopping Growth?. Retrieved November, 14, 2006, from http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg15n1-smith.html
Wallace, R. L. (1995). The Ethical Spectacle Org. Why Endangered Species Protection vs. Economic Development Doesn't Have to Be a Win- Lose Scenario. Retrieved November 19, 2006, from http://www.spectacle.org/196/rich1.html
According to The New Encyclopædia Britannica, endangered species are any species of plant or animal that is threatened with extinction. “Today, species become endangered primarily due to human activities. They mainly become endangered due to (1) habitat loss, (2) wildlife trade, (3) overhunting, and competition with domestic and nonnative animals” (World Book, 2006, p.269). Thus, humans are closely associated with them. To protect endangered species, there is Endangered Species Act. “The Endangered Species Act (ESA) was enacted by Congress in 1973 in response to an alarming decline of many animal and plant species. The ultimate goal of the ESA is to return threatened and endangered species to the point where they no longer need the law's protections” (Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office). Humans generally have the thought that they should protect them, and society tends to take this for granted. However, contrary to this assumption, there are conflicts between groups who support protecting endangered species and those who oppose it. There is a wide variety of people among those who oppose it. There are humanists, workers, landowners and the people who care about economics among those who oppose protecting endangered species.
As I described briefly just now, some people think that humans do not need to protect endangered species if it means humans sacrifice their standard of living. Especially because humans are self-centered, they tend to think that they have only to maintain their lives. Among them some people especially think that humans are much superior to other species and their interests should be put humans before other species. They hate to spend a lot of money for protecting other species. Also, some workers say that protecting species can harm workers ability to make a living. According to Greg Easterbrook, “There’s also the problem of job losses in logging and a few other industries” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). Robert J. Smith who is the director of environmental studies at the Cato Institute revealed it more concretely like this, “Studies by Oregon and Washington universities as well as by industry economists suggest a total loss of as many as 100,000 jobs” (National Post Online, 1999). As he describes, although all species should be equal, workers are sometimes ignored and forced to lose their jobs because of endangered species' higher priority on securing their protecting. Besides that, the article written by Richard L. Wallace indicates “Oregonians are up to their ears in jobs and unemployment rates” (Wallace, 1995), “`Owls or jobs` was a political tool of the reactionary right” (Wallace, 1995). From this article, we can recognize the serious problem for workers. Not only workers but also land owners suffer from protecting endangered species. Gregg Easterbrook points out, “The law has protected most of the species whose extinction it set out to prevent. But it has generated a fierce backlash from landowners, who dispute the way the ESA sometimes forces them to set aside private property for use as animal habitat －giving rise to the congressional “takings” controversy” (Easterbrook, 1998, p.14). In addition to that, according to Elizabeth Brubaker, “Individual land owners would bear the full costs of preserving habitat, even though their actions would benefit all of society” (National Post Online, 1999). This is pointed out as a factor causing the law made by ESA. “The law -- expected to be called the Species at Risk Act – would forbid harming endangered or threatened species and destroying their habitat, whether on public or private lands. Violators would be subject to criminal sanctions, including fines and prison sentences” (National Post Online, 1999). Also, there are some people who care about economics concerning negative economic impact. Sam Aanestad points out the negative impact by the program of ESA. “The misguided environmental mandates that have been imposed through the ESA and other efforts have brought this area to its knees with an economic sucker punch to gut” (Aanestad, 2005). “Thanks to environmental restrictions that have been imposed since 1990, more than 80 of these mills have been forced to close” (Aanestad, 2005).
These problems are not easily solved because they involve competing interests. If there is a conflict between human and animal interests, what should be done? Although it is a complex problem, humans should protect endangered species, and this can be accomplished without harming human interests. In order to do this, we need to reflect the original intention. Now I want to suggest how humans should do this.
First, I think that people who consider humans to be the supreme species should change the way of their thinking. They don’t understand the importance of other species. There are several reasons why humans should protect endangered species. It is important to understand that humans are also a species and they have the possibility to be endangered themselves. Humans are inclined to think that they are the most superior species. However, this way of thinking doesn’t work because humans can live only because of other species. To lose a species means the destruction or change of the ecosystem and it could lead to the extinction of humans in the future. I want to explain cycling of materials under ecosystem. “The cycling of phosphorus provides an example of this process. All organisms require phosphorus. Plants take up phosphorus compounds from the soil, and animals get phosphorus from the plants or other animals they eat. Decomposers return phosphorus to the soil after plants and die (World Book, 2006, p.55)”. Thus, all species help to live each other. Sometimes, humans don’t worry about things which don’t concern them directly. Recently, some people have finally started to worry about environmental problems: global warming, deforestation, desertification, oil spills and so on. In the future, the problem led by the destruction or change of the ecosystem will cause serious problems that concern all humans. We need to recognize that humans and endangered species live together and help each other. This is the first thing we should do.
In addition, humans are often the cause of extinguishing species. They pollute and change the earth for their benefit. I want to give one example. According to Professor Meyer, “States with booming economics attracted larger numbers of new residents, which in turn put increasing pressures on habitats, and that implies a larger likelihood of human-wildlife collisions that result in a new listing” (Massachusetts institute of technology news office, 1995). He indicates that human’s interest leads to expansion of people into areas that formerly were not settled. As you guess, this puts humans into contact with species that were not living with people before and, therefore, cause a danger to the animals’ environment. From the beginning, land owners started to settle for their interests without thinking about other species. Land owners have to recognize the fact that they originally influenced the demise of the species’ habitats. All species are equal and have to respect each other. Besides that, humans have caused Sea-level change, climate change, overkill and so on. This also has brought the demise of many species’ habitat. Humans are very greedy by nature. If humans reconsider this fact and accept it, they can end their greed.
As I described, people who care about economics are concerned with negative economic impact. However, this is notion and wrong, and humans don’t just know a lot about the facts. According to a working paper published by the Project on Environmental Politics and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, “The Endangered Species Act has not had a negative economic impact on states, despite the claims of its detractors” (Massachusetts institute of technology news office, 1995). The author says the reason is this: “the economic effects of endangered species listings are so highly localized, of such small scale, and short duration that they do not substantially affect state economic performance in the aggregate” (Massachusetts institute of technology news office, 1995).
Thus, humans don’t need to care so much about global economic effects. However, endangered species certainly cause the loss of many jobs. Then, what should the workers who lost their jobs do? I would like to make a proposition to solve it. According to Jason F. Shogren who is the Thomas Stroock Distinguished Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management and Professor of Economics, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Wyong, “From society’ perspective, endangered species with limited commercial or consumptive benefits are undervalued by market prices, and thus there is pressure to use the private services at the expense of the public services” (Shogren, 1997). He points out that public service doesn’t help to protect endangered species. I think that if both private and public service work to protect endangered species, this will spark a movement to protect endangered species without harming human interests. That is, public service should not just leave the matter to private service. The cooperation of public institution will save the workers who lost their jobs. The government can help the workers maintain jobs and possibly make new laws to help them with this. If the public service works well, the protection of workers’ jobs will surely get better.
Finally, I point out the danger of excessive development. I think that excessive development will penalize humans and endangered species. Excessive development has brought serious environmental problems to humans, and it has also brought the demise of habitat to all species. Humans should recognize the disadvantageous facts and choose a way to coexist.
In conclusion, humans must protect all species. They should not make light of any species’ existence. Every life always connects to another life in the ecosystem. If they chose temporary benefits, it would be bound to invite fatal consequence in the future. Don’t forget that all species are equal and they have the duty to save other species, which will help insure their own existence. Also, humans have the way to solve the problems caused by protecting endangered species. To protect endangered species will surely reduce environmental problems. Reducing the environmental problems is of enormous interests to humans. As a result, to protect endangered species will surely bring enormous interests to humans.
References
Aanestad, S. (2005, September 28). California State Senator Governor. Whither the Endangered Species Act? Changes needed to restore jobs?. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://republican.sen.ca.gov/opeds/4/oped2956.asp
Easterbrook, G. (1998, March 2). New Republic. GREENER PASTURES. Retrieved December 4, 2006, from Academic Search Premier.
Ecosystems. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 55). Chicago : World Book, Inc.
Extinct and Endangered Species. (2006). The World Book Encyclopedia. – 2006 ed. (Vol. 6, p. 269). Chicago : World Book, Inc.
Governor’s Salmon Recovery Office. Glossary. Retrieved December 5, 2006, from http://www.digitalarchives.wa.gov/governorlocke/gsro/glossary.htm
Massachusetts institute of technology news office. (1995, April 7). Endangered Species Act Has Not Slowed Economic Development, Says Paper Published at MIT. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/1995/print/endangered-print.html
National Post Online. (1999, September 13). How not to save species. Retrieved December, 2, 2006, from http://www.environmentprobe.org/EnviroProbe/evpress/091399a_fpost.html
Safra, J. E. (2005). Endangered Species. In The New Encyclopædia Britannica (Vol. 4, p. 489). Chicago : Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Shogren, J. F. (1997, January 2). Economics and the Endangered Species Act. Retrieved December, 5, 2006, from http://www.umich.edu/~esupdate/library/97.01-02/shogren.html
Smith, R. J. (2001). The Cato Review of Business & Government. The Endangered Species Act: Saving Species or Stopping Growth?. Retrieved November, 14, 2006, from http://www.cato.org/pubs/regulation/reg15n1-smith.html
Wallace, R. L. (1995). The Ethical Spectacle Org. Why Endangered Species Protection vs. Economic Development Doesn't Have to Be a Win- Lose Scenario. Retrieved November 19, 2006, from http://www.spectacle.org/196/rich1.html
Monday, November 27, 2006
★Happy Thanksgiving★
What day was November 24? Yes! It was Thanksgiving Day! Unfortunately, I caught a cold Thursday morning and this cold had not been cured by Sunday. I’ve not caught a cold like this these several years, so it is too unlucky of me.
This day, I was surprised that every store is closed. The outside is quiet and everybody seems to spend the day in their house. I spent the day with my friendship family. We went to Medford by car. It took us five hours from Portland to Medford. The atmosphere of Medford is kind of similar to that of around Lewis and Clark College. However, the downtown Medford is so different from that of Portland. More concretely, there were fewer stores and less people than Portland. However, many houses were decorated by Christmas illuminations. That night, I ate traditional Thanksgiving food, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, sweet potatoes, spinach soufflés, salad, rolls and 3 kinds of pie (pumpkin, mince and apple). All the food was so good and I liked them. Especially, I liked mashed potatoes. I wanted to know how to cook it, however I forgot it…
By the way, what day was November 25? Yes! It was a discount day. There are so many people in the town. Everybody came there to buy cheap goods. I bought a suitcase made of Samsonite. By the way, my running nose has not been cured still now. I hope it’s getting well soon. Anyway, I can’t seem to experience Thanksgiving Day, so this several days were precious experience for me! I decided that I’ll be back in Portland and spend Thanksgiving again!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Do you wanna go back to the future!?
Do you want to go back to the future? I want to go back to the future because I almost have to get a job and go on working for a long time. Of course, I don't mean to say "work is boring." However, for me, the life until now has been exciting.
Have you seen this movie?
The title is "Back to the future." I want to tell the story briefly. The main character, Marty McFly helps Doc Brown, and go back in time by Doc's time-machine. Marty has to get his parents to fall in love because of saving his family and himself.
If you had time machine, what do you want to do? Have you ever talked such a thing with your friend? I think everyone would answer "Yes." Surely, everyone has experienced to talk about "Which do you want to go, past or future?" Which one do you chose? I want to go both past future, but I will choose the past definitely. I want to hang out with friends more. In addition, as I've gotten older, I've begun to know what adults said when I was a child. Therefore, if I come back to the past, I want to apologize and appologize to my teacheres and many people who I bothered.
I think this movie is very impressive. Surely, nobody dislikes this movie. If you haven’t watched it, you should watch it. I want everyone to know this movie and want you to think about your life up until now.
Have you seen this movie?
The title is "Back to the future." I want to tell the story briefly. The main character, Marty McFly helps Doc Brown, and go back in time by Doc's time-machine. Marty has to get his parents to fall in love because of saving his family and himself.
If you had time machine, what do you want to do? Have you ever talked such a thing with your friend? I think everyone would answer "Yes." Surely, everyone has experienced to talk about "Which do you want to go, past or future?" Which one do you chose? I want to go both past future, but I will choose the past definitely. I want to hang out with friends more. In addition, as I've gotten older, I've begun to know what adults said when I was a child. Therefore, if I come back to the past, I want to apologize and appologize to my teacheres and many people who I bothered.
I think this movie is very impressive. Surely, nobody dislikes this movie. If you haven’t watched it, you should watch it. I want everyone to know this movie and want you to think about your life up until now.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
★NBA Night★
I went to “Rose Garden” to watch The NBA, Trail Blazers VS Timberwolves on Saturday.
Before the game, the national anthem was sung by Storm Large, who was a contestant on the reality show ``Rock Star: Supernova.'' The Blazers surprised fans at the home opener by having the players emerge from spots in the crowd. Attendance was announced at 20,113, a sellout.
This was the second time for me to watch The NBA. The Blazers is famous for a minor team (it means small and weak team). Compared to Blazers, Timberwolves is much stronger. Most people must have believed that The Blazers lost. However, yesterday was different from usual. Nobody could prospect the ending.
First quarter, as usual, The Blazers was bad. When first quarter ended, the score was 14-30 (worse than double score…). It was hopeless and as if every supporter had been dead.
But, The Blazers revived themselves after second quarter. I don’t know why they became stronger rapidly. Anyways, their play was amazing. Their shoot was sucked by goal.
Fourth quarter, rookie Brandon Roy passed the ball to Juan Dixon, who calmly sank a corner 3-pointer with 6.2 seconds left. He gave Portland an 88-86 win over the visiting Timberwolves. It was so amazing game. Every supporter was excited and screamed!
Monday, October 30, 2006
jiburiiiii！
I watched a movie yesterday with David, Diana, Yoshi and Shige. The title is “Princess Mononoke.” Do you know this movie?
Some people must know this movie because this is one of the most famous movies made by Japanese director, Hayao Miyazaki. Many Japanese like his movie called “Jiburi.” I want to introduce some of his works.
First, I want to introduce my favorite one. Look at this picture!
The title is “Kiki’s deliverly service,” and the story is that a young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service. The reason I like this movie is that the growth of KiKi makes me excited, surprised and happy. I want everyone to watch this movie. Surely, this movie makes you happy.
Do you know this picture?
This is the movie “Spilited Away.” Many Americans say “This movie is the best of his works.” This movie leads you to strange and wonderful world.
His works intend to tell us something important every time. For example, the cruelty of wars, feelings of childhood, the importance of friendship, how I should do right now and so on.
Anyway, if you have never seen his works, please watch at least one time, and you would notice its appeal. Of course, people who have ever watched, watch them again! Surely, his movies would remind us of something important we forget.
Some people must know this movie because this is one of the most famous movies made by Japanese director, Hayao Miyazaki. Many Japanese like his movie called “Jiburi.” I want to introduce some of his works.
First, I want to introduce my favorite one. Look at this picture!
The title is “Kiki’s deliverly service,” and the story is that a young witch, on her mandatory year of independent life, finds fitting into a new community difficult while she supports herself by running an air courier service. The reason I like this movie is that the growth of KiKi makes me excited, surprised and happy. I want everyone to watch this movie. Surely, this movie makes you happy.
Do you know this picture?
This is the movie “Spilited Away.” Many Americans say “This movie is the best of his works.” This movie leads you to strange and wonderful world.
His works intend to tell us something important every time. For example, the cruelty of wars, feelings of childhood, the importance of friendship, how I should do right now and so on.
Anyway, if you have never seen his works, please watch at least one time, and you would notice its appeal. Of course, people who have ever watched, watch them again! Surely, his movies would remind us of something important we forget.
