Caspian sea

red sea

Pacific ocean

Rural mountain

Mediterrean sea

Indian ocean

Ecological backlashes 1. Nature knows best.

thus, unfit for the survival of plants and other organisms.

History and our experiences are full This principle is the most basic and in fact of examples to prove the validity of this encompasses all the others. Humans have principle. In fact, this principle only to understand nature and have to abide by surfaced when many of the detrimental the rules nature dictates. In essence, one effects of technology were recognized and must not go against the natural processes coined thereon as "ecological backlash." if one would like to ensure a continuous and steady supply of resources. 2. All forms of life are important. One natural process that needs serious Each organism plays a fundamental role in attention is nutrient cycling. In nature, nature. Since such occupational or nutrients pass from the environment to the functional position, otherwise known as organisms and back to the environment. niche, cannot be simultaneously occupied Any disruption in the cycle can bring about by more than one specie, it is apparent imbalance. that all living things must be considered as invaluable in the maintenance of For example, burning of farm wastes homeostasis in the ecosystem. instead of allowing them to decompose naturally disrupts the cycle. In burning, It is easy to appreciate the beautiful most of the organic compounds are lost. butterflies, especially knowing their The combustion products bring greater important role in pollination. The giant havoc as in the case of carbon dioxide beasts the elephants, the whales, the build-up, which results in the warming-up alligators are objects of awe and the of the earth, or the so-called "greenhouse" products they yield ivory, oil, leather, effect. respectively are highly prized. But when Nature has also its built-in mechanisms to it comes to unlovely, wriggly, and troublesome creatures, this principle is maintain balance of homeostasis - the availability of nutrients, conduciveness of unusually overlooked. the environment for growth and For instance, it has been customary for reproduction, and the feeding relationships many to step on any wriggling creature that exist between and among organisms (e.g. earthworms) without even considering which serve as population controls. For why God made them in the first place. example, the rat population is controlled by People also react adversely to the the presence and number of its predators, presence of snakes. At home, spiders are e.g., snakes. looked at with disdain. Awareness of the snakes' role in limiting the rat population The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizer disrupts check and balance in the and of the spiders' role in checking the ecosystem. Pesticides can either kill vital population of mosquitoes and flies may, however, change this attitude. organisms directly or induce genetic changes that result in resistant pests or organisms. Chemical fertilizers increase the acidity of the soil through time making a number of nutrients unavailable and

3. Everything is connected to everything else.

Cyclical change may be exemplified by seasons and the rhythms in floral and faunal life stages that go with the seasons. This principle is best exemplified by the An example of random change is the concept of the ecosystem. In an eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, which brought ecosystem, all biotic and amniotic about great upheaval in many parts of components interact with each other to ensure that the system is perpetuated. Any Luzon and changes in the topography of the land. outside interference may result in an imbalance and the deterioration of the system. The environment is constantly changing. Organisms also evolve through time. However, mans technology has affected In a lake ecosystem, the organisms are linked to one another through their feeding these natural changes often to a problematic extent. Although mutation is a habit/level and are also dependent on other physico-chemical factors in the lake natural change, pesticides have induced insect mutations, which are not matched (e.g. amount of nutrients, amounts and types of gases, temperature, PH, etc.). At by natural checks and balances. the same time, the physico-chemical Humans should rethink their relationship factors in the lake are influenced by the with the environment. Changes that they terrestrial environment that surrounds it. think may be beneficial to the environment The fertilizers that reach the lake cause a often turn out to be disastrous. faster growth of phytoplankton, which may Environmental technologies should be lead to algae bloom, red tide, or other such given priority if man would want more phenomena. positive changes in the environment. This principle may be discussed in local, regional, or global perspective. Deforestation in the mountains may affect the lowlands through floods, drought, and erosion. Whatever happens to one country may affect other countries. An example of this is the Chernobyl accident, which affected a lot of countries through the transfer of radioactive substances by natural agents such as wind and water, as well as human activities like the export of contaminated food. 4. Everything changes. 5. Everything must go somewhere. When a piece of paper is thrown away, it disappears from sight but it does not cease to exist. It ends up elsewhere. Gases released in smokestacks may disperse but it will end up a component of the atmosphere or brought down by rains. What a particular type of waste does to the earth's repository should be of concern to us. It may be a pollutant or a resource depending on certain factors.

Since wastes are not lost to oblivion, and even goes back to one's own backyard in It is said that the only permanent thing is some other forms, it is important that one change. As a general classification, becomes aware of the different types of change may be linear, cyclical or random. wastes whether they are hazardous or As example of linear change is evolution of not. Classification of wastes facilitates their species, which has brought about higher proper disposal and minimizes, if not and more complex types of organisms. prevents, the entry of toxic wastes in vital

ecosystems and ensures reconversion into His creations. Being the most intelligent useful forms. and gifted with reason, humans are capable of manipulating creation to their own advantage. Yet, creation exists not to 6. Ours is a finite earth. be ravaged or abused but to be taken care The earths resources can be classified as of. Humans cannot exist without nature. either renewable or non-renewable. They are co-natural with the environment Renewable resources are those that can they live in. If the environment they live in easily be replenished by natural cycles is destroyed, with it will go Homo Sapiens. (e.g. water, air, plants, and animals) while non-renewable resources are those that This principle is inherent in all religious and tribal beliefs. Teachings of Christianity, cannot be replenished through natural Buddhism, and Islam enjoin everyone to cycles (e.g. ores of various metals, oil, respect all life and the order of nature. coal). Words of Chief Seattle, Macli-ing Dulag, Although renewable resources can be and Chito Mendez point to our duty to replenished, it is important to note that discern the true worth of modern systems these are renewable only as long as they and techniques to reject those that are not overused nor destroyed from such degrade, and promote those that elevate factors such as pollution. To ensure that the human condition. these resources will be continually replenished, it is essential to know how much of a resource can be consumed at a given time to balance the rate of exploitation with the rate of replenishment. Just how long would the earth be able to sustain demands on its resources? This is a question that needs serious reflection. Unless the factors of population growth, lifestyles, and polluting technologies are checked, the collapse of the earth might be inevitable. Awareness of the earth's limited resources leads to a conscious effort to change one's consumerist attitude as well as to develop processes and technology that would bring about effective recycling of a great number of resources. 7. Nature is beautiful and we are stewards of God's creation. Among all creatures, humans are the only ones made in God's image and have been given the right to have dominion over all