Forum: Earth and its ecosystems cannot adapt to destruction wreaked by humans
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I was shocked to read Mr Goh Ee Kiat’s letter “Is it worth disrupting tradition to get grandpa to forgo shark’s fin soup?”
His statement that ecosystems are resilient and will adapt is highly simplistic and naive as the earth is being irreversibly damaged by humans. Just look at climate change, the destruction of land and forests and the annihilation of wildlife, with one million animal species on the brink of extinction. The earth and its ecosystems cannot adapt to the destruction wreaked by humans.
He also says the inhumane killing of animals occurs globally and is part of culture and traditions. This is the argument that many give to perpetuate actions that are wrong by ultimately normalising them. Should we continue condoning practices that are cruel, harming both the animals and the environment just because they have been carried out for a long time?
As the earlier Opinion piece, “Shark’s fin is still on the menu. Can we convince grandpa to give it a miss?”
Mr Goh also mentioned respecting individual choices, but animals that people kill and eat do not have any choice. Perhaps as a society, we can think about this a bit more.
Evelyn Khong Lek Yun (Dr)
