Summary
The book is organized into seven chapters. The first chapter emphasizes the abundance of life on Earth. The author argues that some organisms manage well in conditions that are unbearable for others. He uses the example of organisms like bacteria which reproduce best at about 221 degrees (Wilson 5).
In Chapter two, the author has explicated the issue of overpopulation and consumption (Wilson 29). According to Wilson, today’s population is about six billion and is expected to reach ten billion at the end of this century, yet the production of food has been declining. The author describes in detail the way countries like China are struggling to overcome the existing tension between environment and high population.
In chapter three, entailed “Nature’s Last Stand,” the author describes the way human beings have negatively affected other life through their activities. He uses an example that whilst Hawaii may be looking like an undamaged place or “paradise”, in reality, activities on the island have ruined its biodiversity (Wilson 43).
In Chapter Four, entitled “The Planetary Killer,” the author describes the species of Homo sapiens as a destroyer of the environment (Wilson 79). According to the author, whenever people settled in a virgin land, they straight away set about destroying it. In the last three chapters, the author has developed the reasons for averting the environmental degradation. Specifically, the author has tried to quantity the cost of biosphere and solutions to the issue of environmental degradation (Wilson 164-168).
The social factors that cause degradation
According to Wilson, there are many social factors that cause environmental degradation and some of these include:
Use of chemicals in agriculture and uncontrolled industrialization: These factors are also the major causes of environmental degradation. According to Wilson, theses processes introduce harmful elements into the environment thereby maiming or even killing animal and plant life (Wilson 110).
Overpopulation and urban development: The author uses the example of China, as the population increased the need for land for farming and homes increased leading to encouragement on Wetland areas (Wilson 107). Because of this, animals and plants that inhabited these areas have or are being lost. In addition, the author uses the term overharvesting to mean deforestation and wasting resources that all add to the disappearance of a sound and safe environment.
Areas of beauty such as marine environment and forested areas are damaged, as people continue to use toxin chemicals in agriculture, dump waste products, and overharvesting of natural resources. In the words of the author “at times the process of destruction is so extensive that it cannot be upturned (Wilson 168).”
Impacts of environmental degradation on the society
Wilson has described in detail the impacts of environmental degradation on the society and some of them include increased illnesses, death and lack of food. In particular, in many countries like China, crop harvests are declining as consumption increases. As a result, people have access to less nutritious food. As climate change becomes a reality, Wilson indicates that at the end of the 21st century, agricultural output potential will have reduced drastically to a point where human species will not be supported (Wilson 164).
In countries falling along the equator or tropical rainforests, on the other hand, are vulnerable to changes in weather conditions, water shortages, and urbanization, aspects which increases the health risks of thousands of people. In short, Wilson has clearly described the state of the current environment and according to him is fast being destroyed an issue that also has negative impacts on plant and animal life.
Works Cited
Wilson, Edward. The Future of life. NY: Vintage, 2002.