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 Home > Tech/QC >
Human & Environment |
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Earth, which was created from a lump of
gas and dust, has evolved for over millions
of years into today's green planet, on which
many living organisms are maintained. During
the initial birth period, the living subjects
that emerged from the sea became one more
element adding to the complex evolution of
the planet. The number of living beings increased
and diversified into a vast variety of species.
The diversified development of the sensory
organs of living organisms allowed them to
dramatically change the earth's environment.
In particular, the birth of mankind and the
rapid increase in the number of human beings
has contributed more greatly than any other
factor to the extreme changes the earth's
environment has undergone.
Furthermore, after the industrial revolution
of the 18th century, the increased use of
fossil fuels has inevitably resulted in environmental
problems. From the 20th century onward, the
movement from light industry to heavy industry,
involving ironworks and chemical materials,
has worsened these environmental problems.
Presently, the environmental problem is a
critical issue affecting the entire planet.
It has been raised as an issue that is directly
related to the human right to live.
The fundamental reason of the environmental
problems that threaten the human life |
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| Firstly, the fundamental reason for the
earth’s environmental problems is the human-centered
view of the world. This kind of view is related
to the notion that human beings rightfully
conquer and rule the world. As a result, we
have fiercely grabbed at natural resources
and have destroyed the natural environment
in the process for our own comfort and consumption
needs. In the name of so-called economic development
and growth we have helped destroy our natural
environment. The way we have worked for our
own comfort has caused significant environmental
problems and has now become a threat to our
own lives. The techniques employed to prevent
environmental pollution may succeed in delaying
the impact of pollution, but they cannot fundamentally
block the source of the pollution. |
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| Secondly, the explosive increase in population
levels and the concentration of people in
urban areas have caused problems of waste
disposal, water pollution, air pollution,
etc. |
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Thirdly, the testing of nuclear materials,
the problem of controlling nuclear waste,
and the accidental spillages of petroleum
are also among the main causes of environmental
pollution.
In addition, the use of fossil fuels, (such
as coal, petroleum, and natural gas), is
a primary cause of air pollution and global
warming. This is not a problem that concerns
only one country, but one that affects everyone
on earth. From this point of view, air pollution
has emerged as one of the most pressing
global issues, along with issues such as
national defense and diplomacy. The determination
to save the only earth we have is again
being called for. The global environmental
problem requires the interest and effort
of all of us, not simply those of any one
country. The earth is not something we have
inherited from our ancestors, but 'one which
we have borrowed from our descendants.'
We must gratefully preserve it and return
it to its owners.
Source: Human Life and Energy (High
school energy education material), Korean
Educational Development Institute, 1992.
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