tragedy of the uncommon

Why do we have such concerns for a tragic future? -Is our fate sealed with such geologic disaster?
 In the book, Biodiversity and Environmental Philosophy, Sahota Sarkar, discusses what he calls the "lost future myth," arguing the truth concerning the alleged 'tragedy of the commons' and expected population explosions of our future. "For those who do not have to worry about food today and shelter tomorrow, this sometimes results in long-term worry about the future" (Sarkar, 21).  Is our worry necessary?  Is the global change the eminent doom of the human race brought on by its own undoing?  Or a natural geological process? 

            Sarker argues that public conceptualization of the environment as "without a properly behaving environment," we could not survive as a species without properly functioning physical reproductive partners, we would not exist as a species. Theoretically, as individuals, we should not view reproductive partners only as resources.  Why then do we continuously regard planet Earth as physical utilization rather then ecological partners and co-workers in sustaining life?

            Regarding features as resources does not imply the defacing of their value, and Sarkar argues that "These features may well be more than resources; but are still justifiably regarded in part as resources"(Sarkar, 23).  It is not just the disregard for the physical Earth that is questionable, it is also important to consider all life as components of the Earth and consider their potential as well, notably by Sarkar that, "Unexpectedly useful substances are quite often discovered from living organisms"  (Sarkar, 23)

            Biodiversity in an environment increases not only human potential, but also within the environment as well.  Sarkar brings to attention the discovery of alkaloids in the Madagascar periwinkle, which aided in the treatment for diseases such as Hodgkin's disease and leukemia. Because of this discovery, there is "now a 99 percent probability of remission of lymphocytic leukemia" (Sarkar, 23).  If the rainforest encompassed within the area of Madagascar had been completely eradicated before this discovery, these diseases would remain untreatable.  So in a sense "biodiversity is obviously a resource"(Sarkar, 24).  

Sarkar, Sahotra.  Biodiversity and Environmental Philosophy.  Cambridge University Press 2005.