Category: Environmental
Title: Scientists Add Shark Species to Endangered List
(link: http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/40465/story.htm)
The above article came as quite a big surprise to me, waking me up in how ignorant I am of current environmental issues. Sharks have always been portrayed as a dangerous, aggressive and ferocious beast. The general public has misconceptions of the animal due to films like the "Jaws" series. As a result, there is a general idea that sharks have no problems surviving in the wild, because of its strength and ferocity.
However, this article came as a awakening. The fact that the shark population has been dwindling throughout the years is now becoming very clear, as several species of deep sea sharks were added to the World Conservation Union's endangered Red List. And the cause? What else but humans. The demand on shark's fins have been growing, and new markets have developed for their meat. Due to overfishing, they are now endangered. Even though there are supposed to be protective measures, they have not been strictly regulated.
It is horrifying how the human race, supposedly the most intelligent and fittest species of animals, is gradually destroying the world. Pollution has been our "specialty", leading to global warming, which is becoming a very real issue at hand. It has also led to the destruction of many habitats, causing animals to lose their homes and thus their lives. What have they ever done to deserve death and destruction at our hands? Is is just because we are a supposedly "superior" species? In fact, come to think about it, silkworms sacrifice themselves just to create silk, lizards help catch pests, bees make honey, but we humans just take, take, take and never ever give.
I am not saying that I have been the "green"-est of persons. I admit that I do sometimes litter, or do environmentally-unfriendly deeds, and I do feel that the little things I do will not do much harm to the environment. But i was wrong. From the article, I realised how a little thing can go a long way in the destruction of the environment. For example, feasting on shark's fins. From a regular person's point of view, drinking a bowl of shark's fins soup might be a trivial thing, but when every single person thinks the same way, the demand for it increases, and so does the rate of hunting. Ultimately, it has lead to the overfishing of sharks.
I believe that everyone of us can play a part in conserving the environment. Just possessing a little bit of environmental knowledge can help a lot in conservation. If only humans were less self-centered and been kinder to nature.