Question

Which of the following is/are narrowly utilitarian service(s) provided by the nature around us?

• A. Taxol production
• B. Fiber production
• C. Oxygen production
• D. Both a and b

Answer 1

The correct option is D Both a and b

There are many reasons to make conscious efforts towards conserving the biodiversity around us. Some of these reasons are obvious and others not so obvious, but all are equally important. They can be grouped into three categories:

• Narrowly utilitarian reasons
• Broadly utilitarian reasons
• Ethical reasons

The narrowly utilitarian reasons for conserving biodiversity are based on the fact that we get countless direct economic benefits from nature in the form of food (cereals, pulses, fruits), firewood, fibre, construction material, industrial products (tannins, lubricants, dyes, resins, perfumes ) and products of medicinal value such as taxol which is an anti-cancer drug used in chemotherapy. Thus both the options ‘a’ and ‘b’ belong to the narrowly utilitarian services of biodiversity.

The broadly utilitarian arguments that justify the conservation of biodiversity include ecosystem services such as oxygen production, pollination, climate control, conservation and purification of water, and nutrient cycling.

The ethical argument for conserving biodiversity states that every species has an intrinsic value, even if it may not be of current or any economic value to us. Hence we have a moral duty to care for their well-being and pass on our biological legacy in good order to future generations.