Comments on Globe and Mail "Happy ending without humans"

The author sees happy ending without humans” from the Globe and Mail dated July 21, 2007. Note the author’s opinions about the environment and the role of humans.

As you read, consider: Do you agree with his opinion(s)? Why or why not?

         The author, John Allemang has a very blunt but honest opinion that our planet would be better off after the complete extinction of the human race. This article provides an interesting point of view showing that we humans are selfish in the way we look at the world and if you look at the big picture, we are a very insignificant and new race that doesn't have any more importance or value over others as we may think. The world didn't start when humans were first born, there was so much more before that as mentioned in the article, 250 million years ago with the mysterious disappearance of Earth's living things, the dinosaur era, and the evolution through many ice ages. The environment has the capability to adapt to changes with of course the exemption of global warming where we humans are suffocating living things.

       I agree with the opinion of Alan Weisman, the author of The World Without Us because as many people may turn a blind eye, humans are to blame for negative climate changes. In everything that we do, eat, use, wear, own there are negative effects for the environment so yes it does make sense that without humans, the planet would be healthier. This is a very weird concept to think of; the complete extinction of the human race but it is pretty realistic because if you look at the history of our planet, other species have come and gone, aren't we just another piece of that cycle?

        This article and reference to the book reminds me of a video I saw online recently about the transformation of the planet if all humans were gone. As he mentions, there would still be human elements lingering for years like radiation from nuclear plants or plastics all over the world but it is interesting to think way-way into the future at how our planet would change without us. Just like how the demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea changed to create a natural reserve with what he explains as fabulous and beautiful white birds. This video for which I have provided the link makes you realize how important we are to the function of society but also how powerful nature is. For example, I didn't really think if the metros flooding due to human-run pumps not being taking care of or the Eiffel Tower breaking down after 300 years due to corrosion with no maintenance. It makes sense now because human upkeep all of the buildings and structure but when we think about it today they seem indestructible. The video mentions that after 50 million years of human extinction the only traces of our race will be plastic bottles and pieces of broken glass. This would be after all the buildings are gone, after the environment has completely taken over our society they're saying there will STILL be plastic bottles? That part I found completely surprising, how in the short  50 years of using a plastic can they last that long? It's almost ironic to think that after 50 million years the human race will be represented by a measly plastic bottle that no one tough twice about purchasing.

Here's the video if anyone's interested, I really recommend it

What Would Happen If Humans Disappeared?