Human Societies and Natural Diversity - Coursework Example

Foreman (1991) s that we must change our personal life-styles to make them more harmonious with natural diversity. University For decades, human societies have exemplified that it is very possible with maintain a healthy natural diversity by living sustainably as very happy and healthy people with caring communities and stable families, harmoniously with the earth. Indigenous people valued, loved and respected the earth, as Mother Nature, who deserved to be treated sacredly. They believed that the sky, the land, water, animals, plants and humanity, were all part of a great system that intertied to produce a constant cycle of life. Human behaviour was adjusted to cope and allow the natural flow of life in the ecosystem and such a practice was passed from generation to generation. Although this knowledge has been passed through generations in form of art, ceremonies, dances, stories and direct instructions, the indigenous practices to preservation of natural diversity have faded immensely due to globalization, industrialization and colonization. Today, the knowledge has been incorporated in formal education in subjects such as social studies, geography and science. Furthermore, there are many documentaries advocating for the harmonious co-existence between humanity and the natural environment by imploring on the human beings to make lifestyle changes to accommodate the natural thriving of the ecosystem. Foreman’s defines of protection of the ecosystem advocates for the principle of self-realization that one is part of the natural ecosystem. In this case, defending the land and protecting natural diversity is equivalent to protecting human life and the future generation. In support of this, he illustrates that, “when we fully identify with a wild place, then, monkey wrenching becomes self-defence, which is a fundamental right” (Foreman, 140). Destruction of the earth and disturbance of the ecosystem is taken as an insult. Edward Abbey, in the prologue to Foreman’s Ecodefence, compares the destruction of natural diversity with a situation of burglary. In the event of the burglary, “the householder has both the right and obligation to defend himself, his family and his property by whatever means are necessary. This right and this obligation is universally recognized, justified, and even praised by all civilized human communities.”(Abbey, 3). By concurring the argument posited by Abbey, it is an acknowledgement that when earth, which is our land and our home, faces destructive threats, then it is out obligation and our right to guard it by application of all means that are effective. As such, this study seeks to explore the extent to which the human beings have developed the intuitive sense of urgency to change their lifestyles in order to enhance a sustainable future through preservation of natural diversity. This study focuses on application of diverse psychological and socio-cognitive theories which are related to behaviour changes with a view of adopting environment-friendly lifestyles. The psychological and socio-cognitive theories are constructed of the perspective that humanity can change tier lifestyles through different motivations and adopt lifestyles that are more climate- neutral healthy and sustainable. The study introduces the application of models that have the influence to enhance behaviour change towards a sustainable future. A causal model in this case implies that when there are changes in the human’s behavioural belief, their perceptions and attitudes change thereby influencing the ultimate behavioural change towards harmonious coexistence between humanity and the ecosystem. The core drive in the change is based on the realisation of the consequences of one’s actions and therefore, the psychological and socio-cognitive interventions present potentially the most effective and safest methods of encouraging lifestyle change making them more harmonious with natural diversity. The integrated model of the theories applied in this study was proposed by Tiblin (2008) in “Attitude, Norms, Self-efficacy and Intention for making change happen (ANSIM)” s shown in the model below. Attitude, Norms, Self-efficacy and Intention for making change happen (ANSIM) by Tiblin (2008) Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) Precaution Adoption Process Model (PAPM) is an adoption process model developed by Weinstein and Sandman (1991). This model makes a number of propositions to determine the extent to which people chose to make lifestyle changes for the same of the environment. First, most people are unaware of the fact that destruction of natural diversity is a great threat currently and the in the future. They are also disengaged by the issue as they do not view promotion of natural diversity as their personal responsibility or if personal contribution will make any substantial difference (Gollwitzer, 1999). There is also slow pace in how individuals consider to take action since they are reluctant to acknowledge how prone they are to harm. In order to elicit a positive environmental policy response that will motivate people to change their lifestyles for the sake of the environment, they have to be effectively engaged of the environmental issues. Engaged people acknowledge the importance of protecting the environment and are consequently more willing to make lifestyle changes by initiating and maintaining sustainable behaviour (Weinstein & Sandman, 1991). Self-identity and self- image This socio-cognitive theory proposes that human beings are more willing to make changes in their behaviours if the new behaviour fits well with their self- image (Ogden, 2004). If one has been involved in a situation that changed their attitude and made them engaged in matters of environmental protection, then that will shape their self-image (Cialdini 2005). The major motivation to enhance lifestyle change in individuals to make them harmonious with the natural diversity is to engage people in a certain situation that has the potential of shaping their new self-image so that they may realize the significance and the need for personal involvement in preservation of the ecosystem. Active commitment plays a major role in shaping self-identity and self- image required in peaceful consistence between humanity and the natural diversity since it is the source of information that influences behavior. When the new self-image is formed, a person tries to adopt to it by making necessary changes. The extent to which people are willing to make the lifestyles changes in this case are influenced by perceived behavioral controls, self-identity and subjective norms. For instance, cases of behavior change can be exemplified by behavior such as re-using substances, preference of second-hand products, choosing renewable types of energy, sailing of using the bicycle for transportation, taking the train, or eating vegetarian food. Self-efficacy and Internal locus of control Bandura (1997) explains that self-efficacy and internal locus of control are fundamental factors that influence the way in which human beings regulate their behaviour as well as the ability to conduct themselves in a behaviour that has more desirable outcomes. The extent to which people are willing to engage in susteinable lifestyles depends on the level of their self-confidence since it is a great back bone to the problem solving practices. The two concepts self-efficacy and internal locus of control are differentiated between internal and external influencers. Modelling Human needs Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour Read More