When it comes to the question whether people nowadays protect the environment than they
could in the past, individuals’ opinion differs from person to person. Some believe that the
human beings can do better in environment protection in modern times, while others insist that
people in the past were more environmentally friendly. However, in the ultimate analysis,
I contend the former statement.
First, with the help of modern technology, people can recycle the waste gases and polluted water
that are released by the factories more effectively and efficiently,
which is a considerate progress for the environmental protection.
Thus, not only can people save more energy but also air is clearer and rivers are less polluted
nowadays by this means. Furthermore, it is the development of agriculture that
increases yield per unit area.
Thus, it is obvious that there is no need for the farmers to cut a huge number of trees
in order to have larger land to farm to make a living, which means that more trees and forests
are preserved in this way.
Second, it is the policies and regulations that are related to the environmental protection and are
measured and designed by the government can also be the major factor. For example, laws of banning
of excess emission by various kinds of gases such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide are enacted,
meaning that companies and factories are forced to buy better filters and to find a clearer and
a more energy-saving way during the production.
In addition, no one can deny that the modern government is committed to invest more money
to the researchers and fund more laboratories to solve the problems such as too much waste of
water resources and to protect the homeland of human being.
Third, compared to the education in the past, modern education is letting more people realize the
importance of environment protection.
It is believed that all the students in present day are familiar
with the harm of regardless of environmental protection. Students in the past, however,
could not aware the pollution from human being is damaging the earth as well as all
living creatures on this planet. Therefore, it would be no longer for the youth to witness
others cutting trees and discharging the sewage as normal things instead of trying to
change the situation.
In conclusion, I maintain that people nowadays can protect the environment better in the past
because of the modern technology, policies and education.