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Perspectives About the Ecosystem

Ecosystems represent the habitat, food source and living environment of all organisms on the planet. Depending on the region, ecosystems are unique from one another in the organisms and environment they contain. Each ecosystem depends on the overall health of the others to maintain its stability. The human perspective on ecosystems varies between populations and generally reflects the needs of a specific community of people.

Conservationism
- This perspective is held by those parties concerned with the long-term health of the environment, its ecosystems and the affects of damaging over-consumption by human beings. Habitat loss, over-fishing, over-hunting and pollution are key issues that conservationists battle daily, and interminably. From ecology restoration to endangered species rehabilitation, the movement supporting the conservation of ecosystems embodies the idea that the environment is in jeopardy and requires a concerted and vigilant human effort to save it.
Entrepreneurism
- Ecosystem entrepreneurs include those business-savvy parties that find ways to extract value from ecosystems and their resources. The perspective here is that the earth's renewable and non-renewable resources can be bought and sold as commodities. Oil, fisheries and logging industries are examples of such parties that hold this perspective and are generally vital economic contributors. Other types of entrepreneurs have capitalized on recent demand for "green" markets or for products and commodities that improve the health of the environment.
Developing Consumption
- This perspective is common in under-developed nations of the world and took hold of nations in Europe and North America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The booming growth of population size and the demand for a mass-production type economy leads to a drastic increase in the consumption of natural resources. Ecosystems become less naturally sustainable as human populations outgrow their boundaries and over-consume the available resources.
Going Green
- This perspective is held by those parties who strive to live harmoniously with the environment while still utilizing its services for the benefit of themselves and the community. Common in urban settings, the "going green" movement motivates people and companies to recycle and reuse products while reducing waste at the same time. Urban farming and shopping for local food ingredients contribute to the green movement by reducing the carbon footprint of food transportation across the country.

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