The extensive occupation of diverse regions of the world by people is proof of humankind’s dominance on earth. Still, the dominance has laid waste to balance in nature by causing extensive environmental crises. Undeniable evidence points to human-induced climate and environmental problems impacting the earth’s systems and species, resulting in an uncharted territory characterized by eminent danger to all life forms on earth. Environmental crises like extreme weather conditions and animal extinction result from human activities, perceptions, and inventions. This article aims to analyze the causes of the environmental crises from the perspective of Daniel Quinn’s Ishmael. The article argues that perceived human dominance over nature and other species, dependence on science and technology, and rapid population growth cause environmental crises.
Perceived human dominance over nature and other species has caused harm to the environment through harmful and inconsiderate human activities. Quinn introduces the view that humanity does not recognize eminent extinction because of the `leavers versus takers` mentality. Takers constitute the dominant culture that considers humans the world’s rulers, while leavers constitute tribal groups whose lives align with basic rules that influence other populations in the world (Quinn 44). takers` dominance mentality has pervaded the world because people use earth’s resources according to their own will and without considering factors such as the sustainability of other species and the resources. The dominance has increased the depletion of natural resources, mass extinction of other animal species, and extensive environmental pollution. Deforestation, characterized by a disregard for the role of trees and plants in providing conducive climatic conditions, results from the view that humans dominate the world. Encroachment of natural habitats and animal slaughter also indicates the takers’ dominant mentality. Furthermore, clearing natural habitats for livestock farming is also a show of dominance, which leads to global warming because livestock animals release methane (a greenhouse gas). Human activities resulting from man’s dominance lead to environmental crises, including animal extinction, climate and weather extremes, and worsening health conditions.
Dependence on science and technology has also caused the environmental crises which the world is experiencing, as humans have ignored the natural order of things in favor of supporting scientific and technological advancement. Ishmael notes that takers have taken resources to develop their systems, consequently destroying other important sources of sustenance in the world (47). The author affirms that behavior rooted in technological dependence will lead to extinction. Specifically, manufacturing companies, miners, and other enterprises and institutions focus on retrieving resources to develop and maintain systems that devastate the environment. Nevertheless, there is little or no regard for effective interventions that can offset the negative effects. For instance, fossil fuels and cement production release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, while fertilizers emit nitrous oxide. At the same time, humans cut down forests to use lumber for constructing houses, yet forests remove and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Pancehco et al. 238). As a result, depleting and damaging the natural environment increase. Focusing on technology leads to the rise in greenhouse gases that trap heat, and greenhouse gases are the predominant causal agent for rising global temperatures and climate change. Dependence on technology and ignoring the environmental degradation caused by its pursuit is thus a form of willful blindness, where humanity sees the devastating effects which might cause the demise of all life but fails to address them.
Rapid population growth is another cause of environmental crises. The narrator invokes the theory of population growth the Thomas Malthus to depict the crises facing humans and the environment. The Malthusian theory explains that the human population grows more rapidly than the food supply until famines or other environmental and sociopolitical factors reduce the population (Quinn 58). Hence, the environmental crises resulting from population growth are visible from two points of view. Rapid human population growth affects the environment through proliferated consumption of resources, including land, food, water, air, fossil fuels, and minerals. In other words, higher populations imply higher land encroachment and depletion of natural resources to satisfy the high demand. However, trying to meet the needs leads to unsustainable practices, as circumstantial evidence shows that increase in population is directly proportional to a decrease in environmental sustainability (Kortetmäki and Oksanen 732).
Moreover, while population size is part of the problem, the issue is more nuanced since many factors are at play. Environmental devastation due to rapid population growth revolves around distribution density, migration patterns, urbanization), composition 9age, sex, and income levels), and consumption patterns. Rapid population growth can also cause environmental crises due to waste products due to consumption, such as air and water pollutants, toxic materials, and greenhouse gases. In short, rapid population growth leads to environmental problems because of people’s measure of productive land and water necessary for the consumption and absorption of wastes that people produce. The rapid population makes it impossible for the environment to sustain the demands of every individual without negative effects.
In summary, this article determines that perceived human dominance causes environmental crises because of harmful and inconsiderate human activities; dependence on science and technology depletes resources and ignores the natural order of things. At the same time, rapid population growth leads to unsustainable practices and implications. Regardless, environmental crises can reduce if the `takers` (humans) relinquish their `ownership,` reduce population growth, and facilitate other species` survival.
Works Cited
Kortetmäki, Teea., & Oksanen, Markku. Is there a convincing case for climate veganism? Agriculture and Human Values, 37, 729–740 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-020-10182-x
Pacheco, Luis., Altrichter, Mariana., Beck, Harald., & Buchori, Damayanti. Economic growth is a major cause of environmental crisis. BioScience, 68(4), 238-249, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biy006
Quinn, Daniel. Ishmael. Bantam Books, 2017.
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