On Lake Erie's Demise

This is my response to On Lake Erie's demise, an article written by Margaret Atwood and published in January 19^th’s edition of The Toronto Star. The article discusses the future of Lake Erie, which is uncertain as a result of the years of damage it has sustained at our hands. Atwood says that recent pollution, in the form of plastic and invisible industrial pollution and runoff have heavily contaminated the waters of Lake Erie, perhaps beyond repair, one expert even suggested that the entire lake be drained and turned into land for development. Another problem is that Lake Erie seems to be drying up because climatic changes have thinned the time and areas that freeze over seasonally, encouraging higher than normal levels of evaporation. Atwood also brings about the issue of the drastic reduction of species that have been home to the area for years. A decline in the numbers of native species, particularly birds, has had other negative impacts on the lake and surrounding area since natures various different systems all function together.

It is important that we consider these kinds of issues because it shows us how we have the potential to impact, either positively or negatively, the natural space around us. Although damage to a fresh water lake might be able to be repaired down the road, we have to consider that bringing back a species extinct because of changes to its natural habitat might not be as easy. Although so many of earth’s natural features, such as lakes, oceans, and mountains are so large in size that it is difficult to comprehend how small things like how we dispose of sewage can effect them, this article brings to light just how susceptible nature is to our destructive lifestyles.