We are without a doubt causing devastating damage to our world.
At least at present, most of it is reversible (except for the extinctions).

The biggest problem with environmentalism is that it has been sucked into the corrupting influence of politics.

Simply to say that you think we need to be doing more to save the earth has become a politicized issue. We have representatives who are literally stating that humans cannot damage this world. It's insane.

What's most important for people to realize is that we're treating the earth unsustainably. That means that even if there's no climate change (which is accepted among the people who actually dedicate their lives to studying these things and have no ulterior motives, unlike politicians), there's plenty of other problems headed our way if we remain this reckless.

It just really annoys me to see how politicized this issue has become. Until we can collectively agree that this is a problem that needs to be solved, our government won't be able to take the large-scale action necessary to start reversing it.

And yep, our extinction rate at 1 species/day is apparently the sixth massive die-off in earth's history.
It's crazy to know that it's primarily our fault.

If you kids want that car, that next generation console, that brand new what you might call it that is now what a telephone used to be then hey. Get used to the idea that those animals you never saw once in your life are going to be gone and all you ever had were photographs of them. But dont worry. You get to keep those photographs in digital in your brand new multimedia WhoEverBoughtYouThatCrap and you will still be as rich and priviliged as you used to be.

Also remember. It is not a political issue. It is a marketing issue. So buy now and vote. You know who.

The best part is, you dont have to know about a thing or bother to ever find out. So what is there to lose?

I think there should be more effort to protect endangered species'. Mainly because I'm a HUGE animal lover. lol But, there really should be stricter penalties on killing or harming them. I have no clue how this turned into a government/mass market debate. But, I think these creatures should be protected.
Man was created to be above animals, but also he was commissioned to take care of them. And I think we really should. All life matters, there's beauty in all of it. From the Blue Whale, to the common ant. They are all fascinating, and we should take good care of them. You never truly appreciate something until it's gone forever.

I'm not really big on the protect the animals thing, cause we're supposed to be animals too, but if we force others into extinction, that's a bad thing?

From my Hebraic perspective, we are stewards of the earth and we should keep them around. For our benefit. I know that endangered species laws exist to get the government more control at times. I think it would be foolish to totally get rid of some species, others, I'm not as sure about. I mean, should we mourn the losses of types of Tiger's for example? I guess one might argue that Tigers are an important part of the balance in an eco system.

Maybe, but humans can hunt too.

In the end though, I'd say it would be a good idea to keep most animals around, particularly the more useful ones. (Maybe even the more tasty ones. . .)

If the punishments for a crime are not keeping people from doing it, it is because the reward for getting away with crime outweighs it, therefore, one should increase the punishment to overweigh the reward from completed crime.

That's why the Bibles says when you steal, you must return four times as much as you stole.

I would like to see more focus put on protecting animals from excessive hunting and poaching. People who believe that humans driving species after species to extinction at our current rate is "normal" are really fooling themselves. Humans have shown that they cannot live in harmony with the earth's natural cycles without causing some harm to it, and ourselves. 

If we, as humans, want to live and cooperate with each other, I also think we should do so with the other animals on our planet. I believe it's fine to hunt and use animals for food and clothing, but in moderation. Most thing in excess don't have great outcomes, and I think exterminating animals is included in that. 

So yes, I think poaching SHOULD be a serious crime, maybe not as serious as murdering a human, but still something that is well investigated and punished.