Working in Conservation Biology Essay Example
Society, economics, and the environment are the three main words that matter towards our future for the Earth, wildlife, and our civilization as a whole. Every day, we are receiving notifications and stories through the news about melting ice caps and the possibility of rising sea levels, deforestation, loss of biodiversity, a declining ozone layer, etc. a large amount of these environmental factors are a part of sustainability, the development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the abilities of future generations to meet their own needs by ensuring economic growth, social well-being, and environmental care.
The economical pillar of sustainability is controversial because of the "welfare for all" and environmental conservation debate, but the concept is mainly centered around companies' contribution to economic development and growth, encouraging the protection and reducing environmental risks of their production. Environmental is the laws and impact concerning environmental issues including ecosystem and solid waste management, protection of natural resources, and wildlife or endangered species. Social is the least understood pillar as it involves identifying and managing impacts both positive and negative. However, the social pillar ranges from cultural to political or ecological as they are all dependent upon the "ecological domain" (relationship between society and nature). In other words, social sustainability encompasses all human activities.
As a biology major, the original sustainability definition is somewhat similar to the biological definition which is an ability to keep biological systems diverse, healthy, and productive over a long period. Biologists focus on the world's ecosystems, resources, and natural habitats that not only affect humans but plants and animals as well. There are several scientific pieces of evidence that point to humanity having an imbalance in sustainability. The population is another factor that poses a threat to human-impacted biodiversity. According to the Center for Biological Diversity, with more than 7.5 billion people living on Earth, the demand for water, land, food, and fossil fuels along with an increase in waste production and pollution continues to increase climate change and push other species into extinction.
My major can branch out to anything field and contribute to maintaining or rebalancing biodiversity in the world, whether that field is marine-based, ecological, technological, or medical. One of the many ways I will take into making a proactive shift toward sustainability is conservation. According to the Royal Society of Biology, Biologists look at ways environmental contaminants such as oil spills and chlorinated pesticides can be removed by using an alternative method called bioremediation, rather than injecting more chemicals into the environment. During my journey to becoming a Conservation Biologist, I will be using this same method to reduce the number of chemicals released into the air and improve the carbon footprint. Other methods include analyzing the soil for pollution, monitoring the plants and animals sharing the same land as humans, controlling pests and diseases, and spreading information out to the public. Working in conservation biology will largely improve the environmental factors of sustainability which will allow the planet to heal and save more natural resources along with life for the next generation and many more to come.
