• Question: Is learning about the ecosystem and environment useful during times of need and new resources and such?

    Asked by Dr. Science to Lauren, Marisol, Michael, Sarah, Sophie on 14 Nov 2016.
    • Photo: Lauren Burt

      Lauren Burt answered on 14 Nov 2016:

      Hey!

      Another brilliant question!

      I think that ecosystems and the environment are really interesting, and we have so much more to learn about them.
      We are always in need of new resources to help people to live, and sometimes getting these resources is damaging our environment. There are more and more scientists trying to find out the best way to get resources from around the world, in a way that doesn’t hurt the environment, and there are new rules put in place if we find out that the environment is being damaged. Many years ago there were no rules about getting new resources like coal, precious metals, wood and food- and in a lot of places the ecosystems were damaged beyond repair. We learned that we can’t do this! So now we look at the impacts more, and try to help.

      Lauren 😀

    • Photo: Michael Rivera

      Michael Rivera answered on 14 Nov 2016:

      Lauren brings up a lot of good points, Dr. Science! A crucial bit of that research is not just examining how humans affect the environment – but also how humans think. Often if you want people to help ecosystems, you have to understand why people typically do not think of the environment, or do not think it is important. Politicians are the key players in determining how government money is spent, and whether any of that money will go towards protecting habitats, plants and animals. Not a lot of students know this, but a large part of a scientist’s work is also convincing others that the work is important and beneficial for the world.

      Michael 🙂

Comments