Society should make efforts to save endangered species only if the potential extinction of those species is the result of human activities.
Write a response in which you discuss your views on the policy and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, you should consider the possible consequences of implementing the policy and explain how these consequences shape your position.
Should society organize itself to save the dwindling numbers of endangered species, or should it instead focus on human issues?
The argument states that if human activities threaten the survival of endangered species, efforts should be focused on saving the species rather than addressing the problems causing their endangerment. This claim, however, ignores the fact that humans are not the sole cause of trouble. While human activity does play a significant role in endangering species, the reason for this endangerment often emanates from another source. If, for example, a species is endangered because of its habitat being lost due to deforestation, then preserving that habitat is the most effective way of reducing the species’ chances of extinction. However, if the species requires an entire ecosystem to survive, humans may be unable to save it, even if their actions are the primary cause of the endangerment. In addition, humans do not have the luxury of time. People are living longer and longer, so most species would not survive if humans did not intervene.
Furthermore, species extinction is detrimental to humans, both economically and culturally. Loss of a species results in the loss of its food sources, such as its eggs, as well as its artistic significance. If humans do not save a species of animal or plant, we may never see it again, and future generations will feel this loss.
The argument that society should focus on saving species rather than addressing their endangerment is flawed because it ignores that humans play a prominent role in the extinction of species. Therefore, instead of attempting to conserve species, society should concentrate on finding ways of reducing the threats to species’ survival so that their populations can continue to grow.