Paperless Technology

Underlined by the extrinsic value of preserving trees and other natural resources, the world has turned toward paperless transactions. This value has been assigned only as we become more aware of the finite amount of resources left on the planet and the need to preserve them for our own benefit and the benefit of future generations.

Many people do not hold the intrinsic value that trees should be preserved in and of them. The world’s natural resources should be utilized for the well being of humanity. Yet, close to depletion, people begin to worry and discover improved technologies that can shape and reduce the amount resources we use. Instead of sending letters and checks, we send texts and use online banking. However, this effort has the potential to backfire as technologies, although much more efficient, require hazardous material for their creation.

Indium, a malleable metal, is used as indium-tin oxide in touch screen phones and LCD monitors and can be very toxic for humans. The disposal of electronic devices creates a waste buildup and an environmental hazard. All of the resources that go into producing new technologies, including energy for manufacture, are later disposed of in landfills unless the materials can be recycled. With the rapid pace of technological innovation comes the human desire to have the latest and coolest gadgets in their possession. Old electronics are thrown away at an ever increasing rate as the world population grows and more and more people become affluent enough to purchase them. This presents a problem that was not as endemic decades ago when paper was used extensively. 

Composting Fact Sheet

http://www.mercer.edu/enp/enp305/tf_fact_sheet.pdf

Policy Prompted by BSE Epidemic

The outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or mad cow disease in the United Kingdom in 1986 prompted countries around the world to take regulatory measures to stop the spread and protect human health. This fatal neuro-degenerative disease occurs in cattle and is believed to cause the variant of Creutzfeldt Jacob Disease (CJD) in humans, from which over 100 people worldwide have died.

Symptoms in bovines include lack of coordination, inability to stand, decreased milk production, and weight loss. As the incidence of BSE in England began increasing, scientific studies discovered the cause to be contaminated ruminant protein in animal feed containing meat and bone meal. In 1988, the English government banned ruminant protein from animal feed, and a slaughter and incineration policy was made compulsory in suspected cases of BSE. In 1989, the export of cattle born before 1989 was banned, and in 1990, all beef products were banned from the market. The government also required detailed records of cattle identification, inspection, breeding, and movement. By 1993, more than 100,000 cases of BSE had been reported.

Outbreaks have occurred in over 20 countries including 3 in the United States in the 2000’s. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), its subset the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) subsequently took similar measures to prevent BSE by identifying and regulating imported cattle products from countries suffering from the epidemic as well as by inspecting domestic products.

Prior to these outbreaks, no one had any reason to suspect the deadly effects of the transmission of this unknown disease. However, fortunately today, the risk has mostly been contained in the present day. 

Oldest Environmental Policy

It seems that in ancient times, not much thought was given to exploiting the environment to serve humans because resources were plentiful. The population on earth and within communities was small enough that the state of nature could replenish itself before much damage was done. Nomadic people could simply pack up their things and move to another location when game became scarce and agricultural fields became arid. It was not until the rapid growth of world populations, the formation of cities, and the improvement of technological and industrial processes that degradation and abuse of the environment became an issue.

The first environmental policy probably transpired from a spiritual perspective. Ancient peoples often held to a set of principles that revered the natural beauty of the environment and the species that resided on earth. This reverence may have developed from belief in gods (or a fear in gods’ wrath displayed in natural phenomena) or in a sacred value present in all living things. Early humans may have taken up the belief in animism as a way to explain the mysteries of the world. Nevertheless, this framework guided people to make decisions about how to properly manage environmental issues based on their culture- protecting certain species and prohibiting the defilement of certain lands. Trees and other plants were worshiped and crops were honored in the hopes of high yield. This was often expressed through mythology, rituals, and artwork.

For example, as noted in our book, an Aboriginal community in Australia protested the expansion of gold mining because they claimed that these lands were sacred and that the gold was visual proof of God’s presence. If to be disturbed, a catastrophe would occur.

I believe that the oldest environmental policy stemmed from a less anthropocentric perspective and more of a value in the environment for its own sake. It wasn’t until humans became tainted by the desire to increase one’s well-being at the extreme expense of the environment did the focus shift to using environmental services to meet human needs.