In spring break 2006, I had the
chance to experience, with my mother and a friend, a catastrophic encounter
with nature. Our eyes could not believe what they were witnessing! All sorts of
iguanas’ body parts were spread throughout the road. The only things we could
think about in that precise moment were how to prevent an accident from happening
and how to evade running over them.
Earlier that same year, a new road
had opened in Puerto Rico. This new highway was built to simplify thousands of
people’s daily lives. It unified the urban town of Carolina with rural
Cannovanas and Rio Grande. By saving time in traffic lights, citizens were able
to travel in a new direct and easy way. Even though there might have been many
positive things to say about the road itself, location was not one of them. It
was built in a natural habitat, where thousands of iguanas lived.
By the time the highway was
complete, many habitats were destroyed, leaving iguanas without a place to nest.
In their search for a better environment, they started passing across the
highway once it was in use. Not only did the iguanas lose their homes, but also
started to lose their lives. The new road was a deadly threat to these innocent
animals.
The creation of the highway brought
numerous controversies in society. Many people believed it was a great
industrial advance, but others knew it affected the environment of these
creatures. Since it was said that iguanas were overpopulated, people saw this
new creation as a perfect way of controlling their spread in Puerto Rico. It is
sad to learn how humans’ greediness lead them to ignore the environment around
them and its necessities.
That day I had the chance of
understanding many things. Even though I did not support the location of the
highway and knew it was an immoral act towards the environment, I had decided
to ignore the cause, making me as guilty as those who built it in the first
place without considering nature. Fighting back for what one believes in is an
essential part of life. I acknowledge the fact that what I did, or did not do
in this case, contributed to the horrible deaths of these creatures.
My advice to all contractors in Puerto
Rico and around the world is to consider factors like a location, its importance,
and contribution to nature, before setting forth such projects. By doing so,
each person would own up to their primary rolls as human beings, putting aside
their needs as professionals, helping the environment and nature develop the
way they are supposed to.
Smithsonian: National
Zoological Park, Reptiles & Amphibians. http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ReptilesAmphibians/Facts/FactSheets/Greeniguana.cfm.
Retrived February 21, 2013.
My point of view towards what you are saying is that the commodity humans want to have is selfish enough to put in danger many animal species. By your arguments, I find my self guilty because I was happy when that road opened. Imagining driving "65 InfanterÃa" all the way to Rio grande was a pain in the neck. Clearly the habitat of many animals that lived in those mountains was destroyed. I know that commodity of humans play a big role, but living in a world where money is more important to the ones controlling, it is very hard to stop projects like this one.
ReplyDeleteAnother issue right now is that iguanas are overpopulated. They reproduce fast. Eating the vegetation and destroying crops. Road kills of iguanas, even though it sounds cruel, has slowed down the massive reproduction of the same.
Concluding my point, road kills will always happen because humans will keep on destroying the habitats. Every day careless drivers hit animals. To make a change, you will need money to reconstruct some sort of fence to stop animals from running to the street. It is very sad and also a hard task to do.
I acknowledge the fact that making the change you presented would be very difficult, but with perseverance and desire everything is possible. Giving a little back to something that gave a lot to each individual should be key when developing such projects. Even though these simplify each person's daily lives, one can not be greedy and ignore the consequences our actions might cause toward our surroundings. Being aware of this might help humans solve the moral problem society is suffering.
ReplyDeleteWhen there's a desire from oneself to give back to society, it will be done. One of the problems now a days is that some 'help' society by giving money just for recognition, after some years it all goes to nothing. One possible solution in this politicized part of the world might be a movement that starts with the government. One's desire to change is the first thing needed to make an impact on society.
ReplyDeleteAs sad as it may sound, the government limits society in many ways. Regardless of their help by achieving numerous changes, one may never be sure of the reason or purpose they are doing so. The concept of government is a wide one primarily because of the uncertainty it causes on people, regarding their actions. Even though they might be portrayed as rewarding to a certain group of people, it does not necessarily mean they benefit the whole world, possibly provoking suffering to certain groups. This is why I believe the government will not necessarily be part of a change as big as this one.
ReplyDelete