All inhabitants of the mountain forest receive the Wolves’ bawl with mixed reactions; depending on the nature of relationships existing between them and the wolves. To the Wolf, its loud bawling may be a sign of adversities it faces daily, but to other inhabitants of the forest, its echo implies something else depending on whether they are predators or victims. For example, to the Deer, the echo makes it alert due to awaiting danger, whereas to the hunter the bawling is a warning of the awaiting dangers. To humans, the wolf’s echoes and signs of their presence also send feelings down their spines; for are signs of adversity that await them (Leopold, 2010, p.1).
Seeing a wolf die proved to be the nature of animosity that exists between these members of the same habitat. This happened the other day when we were having lunch by the riverside on a big rim rock as we watched the water flow downstream. As it was usual that, its only Deers that swim in this river, this day it was different because after carefully watching as the animal swimming emerged out of the water, to our surprise it was a group of Wolves. As it was usual, the best thing one could do to wolves is to kill them, which we went ahead and did. Although the whole experience was exciting, it changes a lot my perception of wolves a: fewer wolves, more deers and better hunting opportunities (Leopold, 2010, p.2).
Since that experience, I have observed countries reduce their number of wolves and deers. This has not only happened to animals, but also to plant species, hence depriving the mountain of its habitats. This makes one thing clear all the mountain habitats are in danger of extinction, owing to the fact that the rate at which the forest predators are destroying it is faster than nature can replace it. It necessary to note that, the fear by humans of wolves trimming their herds, is not comparable to the fear they should have of their herds destroying natural habitats. Owing to the fact that humans strive for safety by using all means to eliminate obstacles surrounding their results to one simple thing; peaceful existence. In most situations, this is never the case because complications associated with such safety measures seem to have more harm than gain to both humans and their environments (Leopold, 2010, p.2-3).
Summary of Excerpts
Naturally, the creation duty belongs to only poets and gods, a duty other society members can do with know how. A simple task as panting trees needs one to apply common sense and dedication. This is because although tree planting has no immediate fruits, in the end it will result in good results (Leopold, 2010, p.1).
There exist clear differences when comparing past living standards and present one, which humans have always fought to improve. Maybe their struggles are main causes of the currently existing lack of environmental peace. Although industrial development and innovations make living comfortable, one main question that lacks proper answers is; what are their contributions to the well-being of the environment?
From the Darwinian thoughts of human existence, all creatures must exist in harmony for life to have a meaning; a policy that humans have failed to obey. No living creature can live as an island because the interdependence makes life worthy, something that seems like a dream in present times. This is because egocentric thoughts drive humans, hence lack of respect for other living species. Humans can liken this to the Cro-Magnon who kills with thoughts of juicy meat, forgetting they are eliminating important species. This egocentrism has made humans to only care about their personal well-being; a practice that other living species could adopt were they humans too (Leopold, 2010, p. 2).
The preservation of the world’s natural habitats and living organisms is the primary aim of land ethics. Although this is the case, humans have failed to adhere to this because they have adopted practices that have contributed to environmental degradation for example, sewage disposal into water bodies and uncontrolled destruction of vegetation. All these have led to great environmental degradation; a practice that is reversible if only humans could take responsibility of their actions, hence respect all God’s creation the respect they deserve (Leopold, 2010, p.3).
Conservation efforts should not only emphasize preservation of one living species while destroying the other, but rather should aim to preserve all living species. For example, individuals cannot argue that, they are conserving water while cutting trees. The two have a correlation hence; destruction of one affects another’s existence. Land issues are complex owing to the relationships that exist between world living species, hence the need for collective efforts when it comes to conservation (Leopold, 2010, p.3).
Most destroyers of the world habitats are those who solely depend on them for a living. Although thy always promise they will protect this source of their livelihoods, there is little they do, hence even degrading the environment more. This makes it clear that, currently adopted poor environmental protection policies are main contributors to existing land problems (Leopold. 2010, pp. 3-4).
Most individuals aim to satisfy personal aims like having beautiful houses, educating there children but one thing they have never endeavored to do is return back to mother nature profits it gives them. This is because everything thriving on earth originates from the earth. For example, individuals can socially look down upon a country because it is poor; something that never happens to a degraded environment.
Compounding these factors has made propagating of ecological education hard, hence continual degradation of the environment. One such factor causing havoc to the environment is development, where humans consider economic gain more important that anything else no even physical fitness. Economic factors have caused the destruction of habitats to pave way for construction of houses and industries, forgetting impacts such developments can have on the environment (Leopold, 2010, pp. 7-9).
In conclusion, all this factors result due to egocentrism, whereby humans aim to do well and please themselves while forgetting the environment they are destroying is where livelihood thrives. For example, government can clear natural habitats for road constructions, forgetting that in the process they are contributing to extinction of some plant species.
Reference List
Leopold, A. (2010). Wolves and deforestation: thinking like a mountain. Dead trees EF. Web.
Leopold, A. (2010). Excerpts from the works of Aldo Leopold. Web.