Chaslyn Gonzaga

Samantha Hunter
Period 1
April 29th, 2015
Samantha and Earthlyn
Earth is flourished with green forests, vast oceans, and is also filled with great pollution,
endangered and extinct species all caused by the dominant species that reside on earth - called
humans (Rhetorical Device). Deforestation, digging, mining, and further damaging of the earth
are all performed actions by humans - these actions consume the raw materials that earth
provides and increase air pollution. (Claim 1) With these facts - perhaps the extinction of humans
would improve the earth's well-being. People continue to grow in population (Claim 2) furthering their negative impact on earth.
29% of earth is created of land mass - while humans populate 3% of that. This leaves
only 26% of land for the 6.5 million identified species on land. Overall, humans are taking up
way too much land mass in comparison to how much species the earth needs to sustain.
(Warrant) On the other hand, 2.2 million identified species reside in the ocean; though this may
seem insignificant, humans still continue to contribute to the unhealthy environment of the ocean
through incidents such as oil spills and over consumption of species that live in the ocean for raw
materials and food.
Over fishing leads to a problem within the food chain as abundance in prey decreases affecting the population of predators and others. Earths oceans has always been used as one of
the humans favorite dumping grounds. Humans contribute to waste such as, the garbage patch in
the pacific,sewage and unknown chemicals. This marine pollution is affecting and threatens the
life that resides in our waters. Not only do humans affect the earths waters but also for those
who live above.

Chaslyn Gonzaga
Samantha Hunter
Period 1
April 29th, 2015
Samantha and Earthlyn
Human activity is causing the earth to get hotter and hotter. Humans cause the earth's
average temperature by primarily two factors: burning fossil fuels and through deforestation.
Burning fossil fuels contribute to the greenhouse gases that trap all the heat when we extract and
burn materials such as coal or oil. Another way we humans contribute to global warming is
through deforestation. Clearing forests also release great amounts of carbon dioxide. Worldwide
deforestation means we dont have as many trees to absorb extra carbon dioxide. In addition to
global warming, humans contribute to soil pollution. Pesticides, herbicides, large landfills,
waste from food processing industries, and nuclear waste generated from nuclear reactors and
weapons deplete our soil of its nutrients and make it virtually lifeless. According to the
Environmental Protection Agency, Usually, contaminants in the soil are physically or chemically
attached to soil particles, or, if they are not attached, are trapped in the small spaces between soil
particles(Patterson). Perhaps if humans were extinct than the majority of the pollution on earth
will cease to exist. (Warrant)
The average person has an ecological footprint of 2.6- whereas Earth can only sustain 1.8
global hectares per a person. An Ecological footprint can be defined by the impact of a person or
community on the environment, expressed as the amount of land required to sustain their use of
natural resources.We must keep in mind that some regions and countries hold a higher average
ecological footprint. Humans are using almost double or more of earth's resources and causing an
unsustainable environment (Syllogism).
Some may argue that perhaps that the human race contributes to the growth and
development of civilization on earth; however civilization only aids the human race and is not

Chaslyn Gonzaga
Samantha Hunter
Period 1
April 29th, 2015
Samantha and Earthlyn
what is good for earths well being. This is said because humans create the global warming
through things such as deforestation, increase in technology, waste production, and the materials
we use/create. Unfortunately, humans are the most polluting species that reside on earth
(Syllogism).
It can also be said that Humans are creating more environmentally friendly inventionssuch as smart cars, the energy efficient light bulbs, solar panels, washing machines, refrigerators
ect.. However, even with all these inventions and humans awareness of their impact on Earth;
global warming has still increased over the years as it was recorded that on April 17th of 2015heat records have never been as high. Our negative impacts have even been evidently prominent
as global warming becomes linked to an increase in natural disasters. The majority of humans
are too lazy and uncaring to make a true difference.
Earth was once a beautiful place but as humans advanced the luscious and healthy
habitats the Earth once carried have deteriorated and decreased in health. Humans have
continuously endangered species as they harmed Earths natural land and water habitats through
pollution, littering, electricity usage, deforestation and urbanization- this has all contributed to an
inflamed ecological footprint and global warming. While the world has knowledge of global
warming- humans negative impact on Earth and its other species has continued to increasemeaning it will only continue increasing- and most humans will not take the necessary means to
return Earth to a healthy state. Would you be willing to make extreme sacrifices and radical
changes to your comfortable life?(rhetorical device)
Works Cited

http://greenliving.lovetoknow.com/How_Do_Humans_Affect_the_Environment

Chaslyn Gonzaga
Samantha Hunter
Period 1
April 29th, 2015
Samantha and Earthlyn