Problem 2
If we fail to protect a much larger percentage of the world's remaining old- growth forests and tropical rain forests, what are three harmful effects that this failure is likely to have on any children and grandchildren you eventually might have?
Problem 3
In the early 1990s, Miguel Sanchez, a subsistence farmer in Costa Rica, was offered \(\$ 600,000\) by a hotel developer for a piece of land that he and his family had been using sustainably for many years. An area under rapid development surrounded the land, which contained an old-growth rain forest and a black sand beach. Sanchez refused the offer. Explain how Sanchez's decision was an application of one of the social science principles of sustainability. What would you have done if you were " Sanchez? Explain.
Problem 4
Should more-developed countries provide at least half of the money needed to help preserve the remaining tropical forests in less-developed countries? Explain. Do you think that the long-term economic and ecological benefits of doing this would outweigh the short-term economic costs? Explain.
Problem 5
Are you in favor of establishing more wilderness areas in the United States (or in the country where you live)? Explain. What might be some drawbacks of doing this?
Problem 6
You are a defense attorney arguing in court for preserving an old-growth forest that developers want to clear for a suburban development. Give your three strongest arguments for preserving this ecosystem. How would you counter the argument that preserving the forest would harm the economy by causing a loss of jobs in the timber industry?
Problem 7
What do you think are the three greatest threats to aquatic biodiversity and aquatic ecosystem services? For each of them, explain your thinking. Imagine that you are a national official in charge of setting policy for preserving aquatic biodiversity and outline a plan for dealing specifically with these threats.
Problem 8
Some scientists consider ocean acidification to be one of the most serious environmental and economic threats that the world faces. How do you think you might be contributing to ocean acidification in your daily life? What are three things you could do to help reduce the threat of ocean acidification?
