The required reading for this paper was two articles assigned. The main theme of the articles " The Rise of Robber Barons Speeds Forest Decline" by Dan Murphy and "No Middle Way on the Environment" by Ehrlich, Daily, Daily, Myers, and Salzman depicts the depletion of raw materials and resources the earth provides for consumption. In their respective arguments, both articles cite either human consumption of raw materials, or depletion of resources allowed by governmental or regulatory agencies. In my discussion, I will highlight the salient points from both articles and discuss the relevance of them to the overall theme. In my conclusion, I will provide my opinion formed on the articles I have read and research I have found to support or contradict the assigned readings.
As a human race, our thirst for goods, has grown since the industrial revolution gave us the means to provide. Up till then the human race had an endless supply of natural resources at their fingertips to consume. However, the need was not that great. Most advanced civilizations, prior to the 1800's utilized resources that they could only gather by themselves. There was very little mass production for mass consumption prior to the 19th century. .
Since then the explosion of consumption by mankind has strained the natural resources to the point of depletion. Our unquenched thirst to have all that can be offered to us, without regard to the fragile ecosystems that these materials or resources come from, are the topic's of the articles I have read. .
There are many theories regarding the consumption of raw materials, and the ability of the earth to replenish them. In both articles the consideration, the earth's ability to replenish resources, is an underlying point that validates the argument for consumption reduction. However there are also experts who dispute the rational, environmentalist have provided, to support their claims.