Overexploitation of Natural Resources Results in Crises Language Essay

Natural Resources
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Overexploitation of Natural Resources Results in Crises
Overexploitation of natural resources is pushing countries across the world into a crisis that is far worse than the 2007-2008 global financial crisis. According to Jowit (2008), 30% more resources are being used by humans than what could be replenished by the earth every year. This leads to soil degradation, water and air pollution, deforestation, and significant decrease in species that live in the water. The same sentiments are supported by Taylor (2004) who argues that abuse of the environment has been responsible for the increase in natural disasters. For instance, Hurricane Mitch that affected Central America in 1998 was a result of resettling of thousands of people in the rural areas during the civil war, thus weakening the mountainous landscape and making them prone to landslides and severe flooding. This paper examines how the exploitation of global natural resources results in severe crises such as environmental degradation and conflicts between societies and nations.
Evidence shows that modern technology is making the huge world population to consume faster than the natural world can replenish. Jowit (2008) says that the current lifestyles as well as the challenges that were experienced during the global financial crisis are clear examples of the effects of living beyond our means. Human demand for excess capacity makes the world incapable of supporting thriving species. Taylor (2004) supports by saying most people are yet to make a connection between environmental policies and security. For instance, if there was a threat of poisoning the supply of city water, the government would rapidly take measures to avert the situation. However, governments fail to react to a slower environmental degradation process even when the effects are predictable and similar.
The arguments mentioned above are also supported by Allan (1998) who says t...