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| Conservation of the environment | | October
14, 2002. | Of the hundreds and thousands
of concepts that may be used to characterize the second half of the twentieth
century from a historical point of view, surely conservation and the environment
will be found among the top ten. This is not perchance, but rather due to the
tenacity shown by mankind in the destruction of his environment to - paradoxically
- generate conditions that would offer him a higher quality and style of life. This
situation has awakened the interest of research institutions, non-governmental
organizations, private initiative and even the state to set in motion measures
that would allow for in-depth knowledge of nature. This would serve as a basis
for the development or follow-up of conservation and productive projects in harmony
with the environment that would thus achieve efficiency in the management thereof
to the benefit and survival of mankind. Besides appearing
to be a statement on the anthropocentric vision of nature, the preceding paragraph
can be considered as the strongest argument for bringing about a change of attitude
towards the problematic alteration and destruction of habitats for the anarchistic
development of our society. As we can see, interest in
the conservation of the environment and its components arises from man's need
and desire to avoid his own extinction on the face of the earth. Thus, one of
the main reasons, though not of the higher hierarchy, why he pays and must pay
attention to the conservation of his environment, is the profit he derives from
it. Such is the case with precious woods, the main species of fish and shellfish
used for food, a certain number of medicinal plants for which there are no synthetic
substitutes, the main biological control agents, decorative plants and animals,
jungle fruit and many other examples that would extend these lines into numerous
paragraphs. Unfortunately, so-called industrial societies
(with all sorts of governmental ideologies and forms) only appreciate those elements
of nature that produce short-term dividends and that don't interfere with the
big reserves of economic power, stamping out those that do not respond in the
same way or with the same intensity. (This can be seen in the case of agro-chemical
companies that minimize or try to stop the disclosure of the positive results
obtained through the use of soil improvement methods that are compatible with
the environment, or natural plague controls. Such is also the case in the pharmaceutical
industry where it has been proven that there already exist procedures that eradicate
gastric illnesses, but those are not adequately disclosed on purpose, in order
to avoid the end of the lucrative antacid business.) Therefore,
it appears that conservation will have to base itself exclusively on the immediate
use of resources, while the disdain for the "useless" could trigger
counterproductive situations for society: we do not know the consequences of the
destruction that we are causing and have caused for hundreds of years. Consequently,
we feel that conservation will have to be achieved as a preventive measure in
view of the uncertain events of the future. We do not know whether the extermination
of a species could close our door to the solution to some public food or health
problem. Furthermore, the disappearance of species could have repercussions on
the destabilization of human populations as they are overwhelmed with problems,
like the last tile that falls to the domino effect. For
the two foregoing points, we can use a most fitting metaphor: "our societies
are in the position of someone who inherits a chest filled with riches, but limits
himself to tearing it apart in order to sell the wood and the nails it is made
of, throwing away the contents because of laziness, ignorance or hurry." The
third and strongest reason why we should create a genuine interest in the conservation
of the environment and its living components, is an ethical one. In very simple
terms, it is based on the fact that all living beings, just because they are,
hold an intrinsic value to the human being and that this value does not depend
on whether or not they serve to an end that makes them worthy of our respect.
Independently of that, they have the right to enjoy this world as we do. This
may be difficult to understand for some, but all we have to do is focus on the
marvels that are living beings, because of their complexity, design and coloring.
All are beautiful, and every time that one of them becomes extinct, humanity loses
something irreplaceable. Like if a vandal were to destroy the Mona Lisa, or like
the damage caused by a madman to one of Michelangelo's David's toes. In each case,
humanity loses something real, but intangible. If we give
it a little thought, the region of the Bay of Banderas owes much of its success
as a tourist destination to the environment within which it developed. If it weren't
for these prevailing environmental conditions and the ways in which they have
been exploited by its users, history would be different. Unfortunately, the productive
surge of the bay has been polarized and anarchistic, and its developers and inhabitants
(on all social levels) have never repaid even the smallest part of what they have
taken from it, nor do they care about the magnitude of the damage they have caused. There
is still time to consider conservation measures in favor of the environment, measures
that should be considered as an investment rather than an expense. The words spoken
by Indian Chief Seattle over 140 years ago say it well: "...all things are
related. Everything that hurts the earth will also hurt the children of the earth." But
the real world is crude and it imposes the need for jobs and sustenance, for development
on a local, regional and national level, that cannot and should not be pushed
aside. That is why the exploration and proposal of compatible alternatives between
the environment and development is the responsibility of us all, especially students
of ecology. This is why this concept is defined in today's terminology as the
art of dealing with conflicts. cupul@pvmirror.com Archives
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