Is Our Environment Being Destroyed by Greed?

The environment has been suffering from all forms of damage, most evidently in the recent years where global warming seems to be the main issue. Many times, environment degradation, in the form of depletion of natural resources, air, water and land pollution, is caused by the irresponsible human population who does not think twice about the effects of environmental degradation. Nations, like the United States, set themselves and their economic well-being above the ruin and damages of the environment. However, it will be unfair to claim that environmental degradation is brought about only by greed. Other factors, such as apathy and the inability of developing countries to find alternatives, other than to harm the environment, for survival also play a part in contributing to damaging the environment.

The state of the environment has been the concern of scientists in recent years, especially the issue of global warming that has caused billions of dollars in damages. In the case of global warming, greed, in the sense of economic benefits of a country, actually contributes to the ruin of the environment. This is seen in the case of the United States' refusal to carry out its agreement to the Kyoto Protocol, where countries come together and help combat the issue of he increasing emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and sulphur dioxide which are main contributors to global warming. The reason that the United States (US) government gave on its refusal to ratify the treaty is that the effort that the other countries put in to limit the amount of greenhouse gases emission is fruitless and insignificant. However, statistics show otherwise. US is one of the biggest contributor to the greenhouse gases, contributing to close to twenty-five percent of greenhouse gases and if US agreed to the treaty, it would mean that it has to compromise on its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth. As a big and powerful nation, the US is supposed to be a role model to other countries, but its refusal to join the treaty simply means that it is unwilling to help in the conversation of the environment as it would affect its economy. The greed showcased here is the negligence of a country that thinks of its economic benefits rather than the consequences of a damaged environment.

On a more micro perspective, greed is also amplified by locals who will go to any extent to earn more money, even at the cost of harming and killing innocent animals. In 1998, nearly seventy-five percent of Ghana's wild animals killed and sold since 1970 were related to the problem of dwindling fish stocks, which was resulted due to industrial fishing which uses nets dragged along the sea bottom, a practice known as "bottom trawling". Fishermen do not see that by using "bottom trawling" to fish, they are actually harming other innocent sea creatures that would be trapped in the nets as well. Their mindset is that by using the nets, greater volume of fish would be caught and this would mean greater profits for them. They are blinded by greed and do not bother about the other innocent sea creatures.

However, there are also other factors that caused the environment to be ruined and damaged. Apathy is one factor, where people do not bother about the state of the environment at all. it is a common sight to see cans and tissue paper littered along the beaches in Singapore. Even though heavy fines and corrective work orders are implemented as punishment for litterbugs in Singapore, it does not seem to prevent inconsiderate people from littering as it seems more convenient to dispose one's waste along the streets than to trouble oneself to walk to the nearest bin to dispose one's waste. In 2005, 432 Singaporeans were made to do Corrective Work Order around parks and beaches, and this has increased from 27 people in the previous year. Apathy plays a big part in the ruin of the environment as one person's effort, combined with many other individual's effort will make a significant difference to the society. Should everyone come together to make a collective and conscious effort to help save the environment, it would definitely help in the conservation of the environment.

Another, reason for environment degradation is that developing countries have little or no other alternatives to making money for their survival, other than to exploit the environment. For example, the farmers in Indonesia have no choice but to practice slash-and-burn agriculture to clear forests for spaces to farm and also for fertile land. As the farmers are poor, they are unable to afford other sources and methods to clear forests but by burning them and causing haze that would contribute to severe air pollution, even affecting neighbouring countries. Slash-and-burn is the cheapest way for these poor farmers even though it creates a serious environmental problem. Should they not practice slash-and-burn, they may not be able to clear the land in time for agricultural activities to provide for themselves and their family members and this is an example of the desperation of people in the developing countries that face poverty and environment concerns are secondary as compared to their survival.

Sometimes, greed might in fact be a blessing, instead of the cause to environmental degradation. Companies and firms might make use of the economic benefits of practicing environmentalism to help conserve environment, and at the same time promote environmentalism as a trend now. Companies, such as The Body Shop, emphasize its "green" products to attract customers who are environmentally-conscious. The Body Shop sells its products banking on the fact that it only uses environmentally-friendly ingredients and does not practice its products on animals. There is no denial that any company's aim is to maximize its profits. In this case, "greed", brought about by the economic returns based on its refreshing idea on using "green" products as its selling point, is seen to have helped promote and advertise environmentalism and at the same time save the environment.

In conclusion, there is no denial that greed brings about environmental degradation as seen in the case of the United States' refusal in ratifying the treaty, but it is also evident that factors such as apathy and the inability of nations to be concerned about the environment play a part in ruining the environment as well. To save the environment, everyone, be it young or old, rich or poor, should play a part in conserving the earth as a collective effort definitely makes a big difference.