Elements of the natural environment.

Humans, animals and plants

Humans, animals and plants are all important elements of the natural environment.

But humans are cruelly destroying plants and animals and thereby creating a danger for us all. The destruction of forests and other habitats is causing the extinction of various plants and animals every day. These losses are particularly sever in the areas of tropical forests which cover only 7% of the surface of the globe, but which provide the living space for between 50% and 80% of all our wildlife. Many wild animals and birds such as pandas, bears, tigers, alligators, whales, wolves, eagles, falcons, kites and buzzards are faced with the threat of extinction today. Their decline has been accelerated by the destruction of their feeding and nesting places, by the collection of eggs, and above all by the widespread use of chemicals and pesticides which enter their food chains leading to sterility and mass deaths. Hunting of birds for food and feathers, hunt big cats to make fur coats and slaughter alligators and other reptiles for shoes and bags. In addition, whale hunting has also drastically reduced the number of blue whales in the Atlantic Ocean.

We know that all species are important for maintaining ecological balance. If one is lost, the whole natural environment changes. In order to protect the environment from being spoilt, we should therefore protect our wildlife. The good news is that many countries are now taking action to protect their endangered wildlife. George Haycock, author of several books on wildlife, writes: “Mankind must develop a concern for wild creatures and a determination that these wild species will not perish”. We should save the earth’s wild creatures to save ourselves. To be kind to animals is to be kind to mankind.