Core 230: Ethics and the Environment: Case Study: Galapagos Islands

Sunday, September 29, 2013

The Galápagos Islands: Darwin’s vision of evolution

Background:

Archipelago of volcanic islands

West of Ecuador of which they are apart of

Had been explored and documented by the Spanish as well as buccaneers and whalers

Darwin:

Arrived in 1832

“…was aware of the process of extinction...”

(Hughes, pg.142)

Apart from collecting many samples he recorded many species of organisms

Noted that many species were fairly similar, yet had adapted each to a specific island

The idea of Natural Selection:

“Darwin’s most important contribution to the explanation of evolution was the idea of natural selection.” (Hughes, pg.144)

Proposed by Thomas Robert Malthus, whose work involved human population.

“If unchecked, any species will increase until it uses all the resources available to support its numbers.” (Hughes, pg.144)

Today:

Today the population from tourism has been increasing since the 1970’s into the 90’s to about 60,000 per year (Hughes, pg.146)

Resident population has increased as well posing threats to the fragile ecosystem

Attempts have been made as well as organizations made to prevent further destruction of the environment and its organisms

Discussion Questions:

What are you opinions on tourism in the Galapagos?

Is the Galapagos and Darwin’s ideas on evolution and natural selection proof that Taker society can’t be maintained?

Works Cited

Core 230: Ethics and the Environment