Problem 2
Describe your gut-level reaction to the following statement: "Eventually, all species become extinct. So it does not really matter that the passenger pigeon is extinct, and that the polar bear (Core Case Study) and the world's remaining tiger species are endangered mostly because of human activities." Be honest about your reaction, and give arguments to support your position.
Problem 3
Do you accept the ethical position that each species has the inherent right to survive without human interference, regardless of whether it serves any useful purpose for humans? Explain. Would you extend this right to the Anopheles mosquito, which transmits malaria, and to infectious bacteria? Explain.
Problem 5
What would you do if fire ants invaded your yard and house?
Problem 6
Which of the following statements best describes your feelings toward wildlife? a. As long as it stays in its space, wildlife is okay. b. As long as I do not need its space, wildlife is okay. c. I have the right to use wildlife habitat to meet my own needs. d. When you have seen one redwood tree, elephant, or some other form of wildlife, you have seen them all, so lock up a few of each species in a zoo or wildlife park and do not worry about protecting the rest. e. Wildlife should be protected in their current ranges.
Problem 7
Environmental groups in a heavily forested state want to restrict logging in some areas to save the habitat of an endangered squirrel. Timber company officials argue that the well-being of one type of squirrel is not as important as the well-being of the many families who would be affected if the restriction causes the company to lay off hundreds of workers. If you had the power to decide this issue, what would you do and why? Can you come up with a compromise?
Problem 8
Write an argument for (a) preserving a weed species in your yard, and for (b) not exterminating a colony of wood-damaging carpenter ants in your home.
Problem 9
Congratulations! You are in charge of preventing the premature extinction, caused by human activities, of the world's existing species. List the three most important policies you would implement to accomplish this goal.
Problem 10
List two questions that you would like to have answered as a result of reading this chapter.
