Position Paper

(Environmental Issues)

Our world was once full of life and colors. The air we breathed was pure, the mountains
were lush, the bodies of water were clear, and the surroundings were vibrant. Our ecosystems
were very healthy back then, and our wildlife was not on the verge of extinction. Not until
humans came. I believe that people altered our environment negatively, and here's why.

Humans have altered our environment through human interventions, and the after-effects
were mostly negative. Overpopulation, urbanization, deforestation, and intensified agriculture
are among the human activities that have caused significant damage to our environment.
Population growth would almost certainly outstrip the planet’s food supply; urbanization often
results in habitat loss and extraction of freshwater from the environment, which can decrease
biodiversity and alter species ranges and interactions; clearing forests to make room for urban
and suburban development could cause depletion of oxygen levels, elevated risk of soil erosion
and the destruction of animal habitats; and industrialization of agriculture is responsible
for a large proportion of global greenhouse gas emissions, most notably methane. All these
effects have caused harm to our environment.

Furthermore, as technology progressed, more resources and power were consumed. Non-
renewable resources, including precious metals and gold, were used to make technology and are
now slowly depleting. Using technology also causes air, water, heat, and noise pollution. It also
disrupts our ecology and natural cycle by clearing land where animals used to live, building
factories, and allowing pollution to contaminate the food chain.

However, while people continue to destroy our planet, some also find ways to make
things right. Some people try to save the Earth from dying by advocating for environmental
awareness and protection. There are many growing organizations out there that promote care for
our planet and aim to bring its beauty back. Some of the organizations are the Union of
Concerned Scientists, Natural Resources Defense Council, Environmental Working Group, and
many more.

In conclusion, human impacts the environment in both positive and negative ways.
Although most human activities brought severe damage to our environment, humans also have
the power to correct our mistakes and change our environment for the better.