Humans Role in Nature

 

    Nature can be defined as "The natural, physical, material world or universe". In this definition, nature is being described as more of a physical element that is natural to the world. However, I see nature as not only the physical environment but also the living element as well. This includes all of the biotic factors that can make up an environment. This relationship is better known as an ecosystem, where both the living and non-loving components have a relationship with one another so that it creates a working system. In previous class discussions, we tried to argue the distinction between what is wildness and what is nature. To me, I see that all wildness is nature but not all nature is wildness. Meaning that a walk in a park can be considered nature but it is not wild. Whereas a wolf in the Boreal forest is wildness as well as being nature. As we Humans are living, we are too incorporated into Nature.

    When it comes to our role in nature, I believe the answer to this question has changed overtime. In recent time, we have grown more and more independent from nature and have come to a more synthetic and materialistic lifestyle. Starting from the Industrial Revolution, humans have turned to this type of living with the invention of plastics and superstores. In this age, the role of humans in nature was truly for exploitation. There was no tur role because nature was seen as something to turn into something better for the benefit of humans.

Industrial Revolution Farming

 

    Going back pre-industrial era, our role as humans is different. During this time nature was seen more as a part of life. No better example of this then with the native tribes of the Americas. These were people who were very intoned with their surroundings. The rest of the world was as well but on a much lower level. In this time, the role of humans was more of a friend or "roommate". We were to protect what we had but also benefited greatly from it. This was, in my opinion, the greatest time period for human and nature interactions. 

Pre-Industrial Farming

    

    Now, jumping forward to today, we have been moving toward this way of life again but all the while implementing modern technology. By using more clean and sustainable technologies, we can do the same things in terms of power and fuel, but with a more environmentally friendly way. We know now as humans that the environment and nature is extremely important for the planet's health. So for our role in todays time, it is to be a great steward to nature and to conserve, protect and research it. 

Modern Farming