Preventing Environmental Damage Essay

The world is recently being beleaguered by environmental issues and problems left and right. Our planet is deteriorating rapidly, and such is due in large part to the activities of man (Cline, 1992). For example, many movements and organizations notice the earth’s problem with respect to pollution, global warming and destruction of ecosystems (Cline, 1992). These are environmental problems that are caused by acts of man. Therefore, the solution and more importantly, the prevention, of these problems also lie in the hands of man. More particularly, the areas where man could take steps towards correcting the damage to the environment call upon leaders to develop programs and policies designed to remedy the problem. Moreover, leaders need to use techniques to implement such programs and policies and deliver results. The participation of leaders in saving the environment is manifested in the acts of countries in taking responsibility in the prevention and saving the environment. As big movers of the world, and wielding great power over its citizens and private companies, countries can accomplish a great deal in preventing further environmental damage. The different approaches in preventing the environment differ in accordance with the respective causes of the damage. Knowing the causes of environmental damage would dictate the proper actions that would prevent such damage from happening. In the case of countries’ responsibility in this respect, their programs of actions should consist of strict rules and regulations that limit the power of individuals, groups, and communities to exploit the environment. Countries’ governments are the only institutions that are given the authority and mandate to regulate the use and exploitation of natural resources. Therefore, countries should be active and vigilant in protecting their environment. For example, coral reef ecosystems, which are very important in maintaining the balance of life systems under the sea, are always being destroyed by abuses by man in utilizing resources from it (Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research). Thus, the main cause of destruction of coral reefs is pollution caused by man (Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research). Thus, environmental protection by countries should consist of the enactment of environmental protection measures and the formulation of appropriate environmental policies (Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research). Another illustration can be found in environmental issues surrounding the use of fossil fuels. Such use creates problems because they cause global warming, and fossil fuel is non-renewable; thus, their use depletes vital resources (â€Å"Benefits from Fossil Fuel Use†). Countries can help prevent such environmental problems by helping the private sector develop technologies that address our dependence on fossil fuel and thereby reduce such dependence and reduce pollution (â€Å"Benefits from Fossil Fuel Use†). Another example of the participation of countries in preventing environmental damage is through agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States. The agency has the jurisdiction and authority to regulate the emissions of greenhouse gases by different sources, such as new motor vehicles (Barze Jr. and Casey, 2007). The initiative of countries can also be shown through the adoption of energy saving and better products that do not cause further damage to the environment. One example can be seen in the initiative of leaders of the European Union. They decided that before the end of the decade, all European homes, offices and streets must use energy efficient lighting (EU to switch to energy-efficient bulbs. (International Report), 2007). Works Cited Barze Jr. , R. B. & Casey, T. L. (2007). The future of greenhouse gas emission regulations: Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency. Defense Counsel Journal 74, 269-273. Retrieved October 28, 2007, from http://galenet. galegroup. com. ezproxy1. library. arizona. edu/servlet/BCRC? vrsn=16 0&locID=uarizona_main&ste=5&docNum=A167510332 â€Å"Benefits from Fossil Fuel Use. † 20 Oct. 2007 . Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research. â€Å"Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrity and Restoration Options with Watershed-based activities and Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Tropical Pacific Islands. † 8 Sept. 2006. 20 Oct. 2007 . Cline, W. R. (1992). The Economics of Global Warming. Washington, DC: Institute for International Economics. ISBN paper 0-88132-132-X. EU to switch to energy-efficient bulbs. (International Report). (2007). Global Warming Today: General OneFile. Gale. University of Arizona Library. Retrieved October 31, 2007, from http://find. galegroup. com. ezproxy1. library. arizona. edu/itx/start. do? prodId=ITOF