Human actions do not disturb the pristineness of nature but add into the pristineness by enhancing nature. Artificial structures, such as the landfills and flood control gates aid in protection of property, but cause destruction of certain animal habitats. However, artificial structures in the Bay Area have an ecotonal relationship with nature. Building the floodgates sacrifice the habitat in place of the floodgate, but in the long term, protects more habitats. In “The Ecotone” by James Clifford, Clifford shows the university has a symbiotic relationship with nature. In “Man, the Dominant Animal” by RatCliffe, RatCliffe introduces how human actions go through a cycle of aiding and destroying peregrine life. Landfills help reduce the contamination of toxic chemicals with nature. Floodgates protect buildings against nature’s floods, which create millions of dollars in damage of trees and animal habitat. In the Bay Area, cities, such as Milpitas debate if a floodgate is more beneficial or damaging, and San Francisco debated how to remove the contamination from the rust of old war ships. In my interview with MetCalfe, MetCalfe claims that human machines help nature dispose of waste through the use of anaerobic digesters. Artificial structures have an ecotonal relationship with nature because the relationship consists of a mergence between the two communities. This is important because humans must create artificial structures in a way that will not harm nature. In the writing, “In the Ecotone” by Jim Clifford, Clifford argues that the “composite environment is always being assembled and reassembled— with friction and difficulty”(Clifford 7). In other words, the intersection between human made structures is a natural event of nature because nature continually consists of rearrangement of members. Gathering from Clifford, artificial structures, such as buildings, do not disturb nature but are a part of the natural ecotone. This view is important today because many have a one sided, negative view of construction of buildings. In San Francisco protest that the new skyscraper destroys the beauty of the city by blocking the sun. However, the skyscraper is part of the developing city and creates many habitats for eagles
People dump about 70 million tons of pollution into the air every day causing nature to be destroyed even though people can’t survive without nature. The needs of people are not more important than the needs the planet and animals.
As human beings we’re all affluent to live on this fascinating place called earth. We live everyday normally just as every other human, animal or insect. But we eradicate insects and animals as if they aren’t as important as we are. Nature is being inherently demolished by humans who are oblivious to know that all living things on the earth have a purpose . However, Annie Dillard, well-known for her ambiguous nonfiction books help support the importance of nature and why we shouldn't intrude upon it. For example, Dillard’s excerpt from “The Fixed” about a Polyphemus Moth uses countless rhetorical strategies to construct a compelling message about the peace and beauty of nature, but it also illustrates how easily mankind can destroy it. Therefore, a part of nature is to be naturally
Rachel Carson’s Man and the Stream of time possesses enlightening perspectives of nature that have been marinating in her mind for ten years. Her writing reflects upon the effects that man has on nature and the role he plays in the ever changing environment. Her sole observation is that it is man’s nature to want to conquer the world, but nature is not one to be conquered. The writer affirms that nature is an entity that must be dignified, Like English poet Francis Thompson said, “Thou canst not stir a flower without troubling of a star.” Most environmentalist would agree that nature is not stationary, we cut the trees now today, its not just the trees that disappear ten years from now. As humanity advances, we create a multitude of
The relationship between humans and their environment is a topic that engenders much debate. Humans are intellectual. They can think, reason, feel and make deductions or hypothesis and seek to solve or prove their deductions or theories. The environment on the other hand is inanimate and exists by means of natural laws and principles that govern the universe. It cannot prevent man’s exploitations; it cannot take up arms and fight. However, in its own way, by natural laws, it makes efforts to purge and renew itself from the effects of man’s endeavors. Mangor (2002) argues that like the ocean that
Human beings are part of the animal kingdom, and therefore part of nature. If that is true, then everything they create or destroy is by default "natural". I agree with the statement.
William Baxter addresses the issue of pollution, using a human-oriented method by which all value assigned to flora and fauna is dependent on each entity’s benefits to humans. In this essay I will briefly explain Baxter’s anthropocentric approach, attempt to show the flaws in Baxter’s arguments, examine his possible recourse after revisiting these points, and then conclude by restating my stance regarding the importance of flora and fauna and the immorality of environmental pollution. Pollution is immoral not only because we have a duty to preserve the
The sad injustice to nature is that man has forgotten the biotic connection between the natural world and humanity. Whether protecting nature is a spiritual experience or simply a means for survival, nature is as much a part of human life as the human themselves. The separation created by modern environmentalism between human and non-human entities can only be reunited if people learn to view life as a part of nature. The scary part about that thought, however, is will that be enough now? Only time can
Environmental history explores a variety of topics in order to connect nature to humans. In doing so, a new history emerges. As this history unveils itself, it becomes evident that throughout time, humans have taken it upon themselves to improve the nonhuman world for their own gains. Numerous scholars have contemplated this idea, and while they do not all agree on the meaning or the means of improvement upon the land, it remains a constant theme. By exploring the theme of improvement to land, a clear path forms. The idea of improvement in environmental history creates artificial agency for humans, as well as revealing that improvement cannot happen without having an adverse effect on humans.
Unlike most of the persuasive essays needed many “power” words to persuade readers, R. Crumb’s comic, “A Short History of America”, reflects the change of the natural, ecological landscape to urban area without using any words. Nevertheless, his drawing deeply shows us the down side of the urbanization and we human-being are destroying our indispensable nature. We are going the exact opposite direction to a better life; we are going to live in the life where we totally rely on technology and advanced, luxurious materials. Humans will never be satisfied and keep changing. However, while we’re keeping changing, have we ever asked: What are we doing to our nature?
People seldom take the time to stop and really think about the impact that this development has on the environment and the effect it has on life itself. Inconveniences to those of a community tend to become the focus of developers’ agendas. Building new parking lots and four-story car garages so people can park their cars closer to their destination, as the thought of a long walk seems too much to bear. As more areas are developed, nature’s balance is disrupted, causing the destruction of animal’s natural habitats, reduction of plant diversity, and over-cultivated soil. A community created by man, often at the expense of the environment, supplants the beautiful and life-sustaining environment created by nature. The urban progression has destroyed the natural habitat of many plants and animals, dramatically altering the atmosphere in the
Carson and Wilson both correctly state that humans see themselves as superior to nature, leading to the eventual deterioration of the environment and its inhabitants. This is displayed through Carson’s thoughts about how humans have contaminated the earth and by Wilsons idea that humans are unknowingly causing destruction to the environment. Additionally, Carson speaks of the effects that contamination has on the nature’s inhabitants and Wilson speaks about the destruction of nature caused by industrialization of society.
Val Plumwood in her essay “Paths Beyond Human-Centeredness,” illustrates the impact that humans have on nature and non-animals when it comes to preserving environments. Understanding that nature has it’s living properties that let it thrive among its resources allows for people to grasp the complexities that come about when construction companies destroy the environment in which they work. Plumwood uses the term dualism to refer to the sharp distinction between two classes of individuals. There is the high class, which is considered as the “One.” In contrast, the other side of the division consists of individuals that are classified as lower and are subordinates to the “One” as “Others.” This account on dualism allows the reader to understand how humans can significantly alter the environment because of the way they perceive its resources and inhabitants. Plumwood defines five characteristics that illustrate the oppressive actions that change the connection between human relations and the relationship between humans and nature.
In 1970, Webb participated in the first ever Earth Day to show solidarity for the environment. Through the lenses of an architect he also gained further respect for the landscape. While studying architecture at UPenn, Webb was introduced to Ian McHarg. McHarg was one of the founders of ecological planning and author of “Design with Nature”. Webb really identified with McHarg’s book and explained how the book opened, “The possibilities to protecting and living within the landscape around us.” Reading “Design with Nature” helped Webb further understand how fragile nature was and how much people that live within nature depended on it. The book put further emphasis on protecting and caring for nature which is something Webb has remembered to this day and continues to act upon through his own projects and
In life we are all confronted with the idea of nature along with society. Although both have their pros and cons they work together to give us freedom and order among individuals.
The decline of the environment due to natural and human exertion is known as the degradation of the environment. The natural weather occurrences such as heavy rain, flooding, storms, earthquakes, volcanoes etc. are not administered under human control. These meteorological phenomenon’s wreak devastation on the environment from time to time causing the land to become unsuitable to cultivate. On this subject matter, the human population does not contain the power to stop the wrath of Mother Nature. Rather, we are forced to sit back and watch. Nevertheless, humans engage in a crucial role towards the degradation of the environment in which we live in. Unavoidably, the degradation of the environment is a rising and utmost worldwide subject. I accept that the root cause to environmental degradation is the excessive use of resources on our land utilized by the processes under capitalism. As Jensen wrote in Endgame, “The global industrial economy is the engine for massive environmental degradation and massive human and (nonhuman) impoverishment.