Environmental issues differ between developed and developing countries, particularly in an agrarian country like ours, Indonesia. Environmental issues arise in developed countries as a result of luxurious, wasteful, and polluting lifestyles. For example, this developed nation’s primary cause is the issue of global warming. Meanwhile, poverty and lack of development are to blame for much of the environmental damage in developing countries.
The human population has the greatest influence on environmental problems in developing countries. Both in terms of large numbers and wide distribution. The need for food and land is primarily affected by population size. With the rapid growth of the population, the fulfillment of their needs must also accelerate. This is what causes significant changes in our environment.
Furthermore, the distribution of the population, which is not concentrated in one area, is a problem. Access roads built to link each settlement to growth centers have resulted in the destruction of existing forest areas. The forest area was then divided into small blocks, resulting in numerous new land clearings.
People in traditional cultures clear agricultural land and use forest products such as wood for personal use. The environmental impact is minor and transient. The amount of wood taken is still less than the total growth of each forest. Similarly, agricultural activities are carried out on a regular basis at a set pace.
Environmental issues arose as a result of the transition from a traditional cultural society to an economic society. Previously unmarketable forest products, such as timber, are beginning to gain commercial value. The more you know about the market, the more motivated you will be to make money.
This is what is now threatening the sustainability of our forest environment. People no longer cut down trees and clear land for personal reasons, but for commercial reasons. Although permits for forest exploitation are not currently granted, land clearing and illegal logging have had a significant impact on the environment. Numerous animal species are at danger of going extinct.
Numerous animal species can be found in the forest. According to island biogeography theory, the relationship between habitat area and species number is logarithmic rather than linear. In general, it can be stated that if a species’ habitat area decreases by 10%, the number of species decreases by 50%. If the habitat area is reduced by 1% more, the species’ population will be reduced to 25% of its original size.
In addition to land clearing for agriculture, the expansion of government areas and infrastructure development in forest areas endangers the survival of various animal species. Habitat fragmentation in the form of small islands increases the risk of species extinction.
Experts believe our planet is about 5 billion years old. Environmental issues have existed since humans first arrived on the planet. Climate change and catastrophic extinction of animals and plants have occurred since ancient times, according to archaeological evidence.
In the history of the earth, it is recorded that thousands of species of animals and plants have become extinct and at least it is known that there have been 5 mass extinctions. Reptile dinosaurs, for example, became extinct more than 60 million years ago. Even the human “ancestor” (Homo erectus) whose fossils have been discovered in Africa, China, Europe, and Java has gone extinct.
Natural disasters, climate change, disease outbreaks, inability to compete with other creatures, or a combination of these factors can all lead to extinction. Once extinction occurs, it will never be found in its original form again. In contrast, the holy book states that God does not create anything in vain.
Indeed, if we study the history of biology, it can almost be said that the extinction of various types of biodiversity will definitely occur. As previously stated, many animal and plant species have become extinct. But what is most concerning is that the extinction process is now moving much faster than in the past.
Efforts to conserve biodiversity include efforts to preserve species, ecosystems, and genetic diversity within one species. There are several practical reasons why we must safeguard and preserve this diversity.
Natural changes in the environment, such as climate, sea level, islands, and flora and fauna, occur all the time, according to the facts. If this change does not occur naturally, it will become a problem for the environment. Currently, most environmental changes are caused by human activity.
In theory, we can withstand and control environmental changes through regulations, technology, efficiency, and increased productivity. In practice, however, it was not so simple; many did not even reach the target.
The main issue is a lack of certainty and obedience to the law. For example, there is already a spatial plan that should serve as a reference for all parties in the use of space. In fact, violations of spatial planning are committed not only by the community but also by the government.
When we get to the bottom of the issue, we discover that we now live in a paradoxical world. The philosophy of Western materialism, which is based on the ever-increasing growth of matter, governs the world’s life today. Living in conflict with the natural environment.
By: RENA AYU MAHESWARA
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