As society advances into a more profound technological era, the argument for the protection of natural resources used to foster societal development have become increasingly prominent while others argue that it’s essential for society. Many believe that we should protect natural environments, such as forests and rivers, even if it would mean that advancement would come to a halt. Opposingly, many also argue that the use of these resources are vital in economic and human activites. This essay will discuss both sides of the argument.
People argue that we should protect natural resources. This standpoint stems from the disadvantages that harvesting these resources create. Many of them are being harvested faster than the rate at which they can regenerate. Natural resources is forests are being harvested for timber to use in uncontrolled urban expansion which disrupts wildlife and reduces the planet’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. So as CO2 level rises, more heat is trapped on Earth, leading to extreme changes in the wheather and exacerbating natural disasters. For example, research by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2022 found that carbon levels in the atmosphere as nearly trippled over the past 100 years. Therefore, human activties and development should aim to reduce it’s use of natural resources.
On the other hand, people argue that natural resources is important for the development of better technology. The use of resources like water, wood, minerals, burning of fossil fuels, and so on, can be found nearly every where on the plant – particularly in developing nations. Underdeveloped nations can’t stay stagnate forever. So as nations advance, the use of burning fossil fuels provides electricity and fuel for transportation, which helps foster growth. For example, many developing nations around the world such as Cambodia has a very high usage of burning of fossil fuels. Overall, the use of natural resources can’t be avoided when trying to further advance a society.
In conclusion, the use of natural resources in developing society is polarizing. On the one hand, people argue that it’s beneficial because it allows nations to develop their economy to become more established. On the other hand, people argue that it’s detrimental to the environment because uncontrolled deforestation reduces the planet’s ability to absorbe CO2 levels, leading to climate change and dangerous natural disasters.