The Solution

Edward Wilson's The Solution underlines that a lot of the damage humankind has done to the Earth is repairable. He brings up many optimistic points, such as the fact that there would be enough food for everyone if it was allotted and distributed properly. This essay sounded very unoriginal to me and I've heard the ideas he brought up multiple times in previous essays. In order for his "solution" to be possible, it would take currently unachievable levels of participation and cooperation from many apathetic people. The mentality of "I'll be dead before any of these issues will affect me" is widespread and it's that lazy mindset that is holding the world back from positive change. Basically i found The Solution to be a lot of unrealistic ideas that would be nearly impossible to implement. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for change and a better future but it needs to be a gradual process. People are not going to change completely overnight, it takes time.

Poverty and the Environment

In many poor countries, citizens rely on their own crops to produce food since they don't have the money to buy them directly. As our world changes (the greenhouse effect, massive population growth, inflation, etc..) it becomes increasingly difficult for the poverty-stricken to produce enough food to feed their families. Not only is there a shortage of fertile land, but crops are becoming harder to grow because of rising world temperatures and pollution. In order to combat these global issues food supplies should be sent in for an immediate relief effort but at the same time something needs to be done in the long term. Education about sustainability should be a priority along with help from nonprofits such as the Peace Corps. If sustainability is learned, the impoverished area should eventually be weaned away from the need for food handouts and be able to get by independently.