Some people say protecting the environment is the government’s responsibility, others believe individuals should be responsible for it (opinion)

Advancements in technology have led to the exploitation of natural resources, trees in the Amazon rainforest are on the edge of extinction, and the

recent

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a recent

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exponential increase in atmospheric carbon storage. Some may argue that it's the

state

's role to protect the earth. Yet, I believe the fundamental responsibility should be taken by us.

To begin

with, deforestation is caused by

individuals

such

as businessmen

hence

, they should take responsibility.

For instance

, soy plantation and cattle ranching are the dominant reasons for deforestation, considering investors cut down trees for agriculture purposes, carbon is

then

released into the atmosphere leading to a rise in temperature.

Furthermore

, research has found that cattle ranching has caused 80% of Co2 emissions in the tropical rainforest.

This

outlines how

individuals

should take the responsibility to protect the

environment

as they are the reason for destruction.

On the other hand

, some argue that it is the government's duty to protect the

environment

as the

state

has the most power.

Such

as the plastic bag levy in Taiwan, where citizens need to pay for plastic bags. These schemes are effective as they could reduce the demand for plastic significantly.

Nevertheless

, the government has the duty to educate the general public about environmental protection, since some citizens may not fully understand the urgency of global warming. All in all, after weighing both factors, I reckon

individuals

have the obligation to protect the

environment

as it is not solely the

state

itself causing the damage to the ecosystem.

Thus

, protecting the

environment

should not be the

state

's duty but the

individuals

who contributed to the destruction.