Society as a Key Part of Natural Environment - Essay Example

Running head: Society needs to be understood as a key part of the Natural Environment and not as something outside it Student’s name Institution Course Professor Date Introduction Natural environment is a broad concept that encompasses a whole range of varied surroundings that we can perceive, react and experience to events and changes. It includes the land, water, vegetation, air and the humans. Natural environment normally is in a state of equilibrium. Together with economic growth, natural environment has been considered as fundamental component of the development with much emphasis on minimizing the possible negative effects of it. The current concept of development has been tied up with the improvement of quality of life and maintenance of quality environment. Humans are recognized as species in the natural environment (Brown, 2005). The term environment can be portrayed as the total sum of physical and biotic conditions that are able to influence the organisms’ responses. It forms the foundations of our existence and development. Our environment encompasses interacting systems of physical, cultural and biological elements that are inter-linked individually and collectively in varied ways. Society understood as a fundamental part of the Natural Environment Our society need to be understood as part of the natural environment. By disconnecting our natural environment from ourselves then we become strangers to our natural world. Our existence, lifestyles and the growth solely depends on the sun and earth. The earth’s capital encompasses the following; the planets, air, water, soil, forests, wetlands, wildlife, minerals and mineral purification. Solar capital can be defined as the energy from the sun. Thus, the sum total of earth capital, humans and solar capital is the environment (Brown, 2005). Alternatively, the environment extends beyond the bounds of the local environment and include the intimate enclosure of the individual/local human population and the global domain of the human species. Past history information depicts that human race was once afraid of nature and its related natural forces. They worshipped nature and considered it superior to human race. Our society has been understood as a fundamental part of the natural environment. The relationship of human society with the nature has been regarded as unsustainable and outdated by the modern western society. Often, the non-human world is termed as merely a resource but in the real sense a complex system that we are not fully conversant with. The natural environment has nurtured us well throughout our history. It is paramount to acknowledge our origins in this natural world and the interdependence with the rest of life on our planet earth (Giddings, Hopwood, & O’Brien, 2002). Human beings have encountered tough times with the degradation and the likelihood of destruction of our natural world. The society has faced fundamental shift in both values and approaches towards living on and with this planet earth. The interrelationship that exist between the society and natural environment is deemed to play a fundamental role in identifying physically, biological and socially accessible pathways to sustainability. Human beings in the society have to learn to live in harmony with nature since all natural things have intrinsic worth. The field of anthropology has explored varied facets of human-environment interaction. With that, the culture possessed by persons in the society in a defined society was considered to be determined by the environment. Holism has been regarded as enduring characteristic in the relationship between natural environment and people in the society. Human beings have been included as a natural component of the ecosystems with the view to understand how humans interacted with their natural environment (Giddings, Hopwood, & O’Brien, 2002). Forces such as globalization and government have been deemed to influence the interaction of society with their natural environment (Gezon and Watts, 2005). The human environment interaction is very complex with environmental factors such as depletion of ozone layer and variation in the ecosystem services influencing the human well-being. The concepts of the human ecology have been of great importance in understanding the study of human-environment interaction. According to Steward (1955) adaptation of the human society to a defined environment has been known to be creative and interactive process. At present, our human society is faced with environmental crises due to ever growing global human population. The over reliance of energy by human for technology has resulted in the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases thus enhancing the greenhouse effect. The relentless pursuit of development has destroyed fauna and flora, reduce biodiversity and the general health of the ecosystems. The world has been moved into uncharted territory due to excessive human demands that have overridden the sustainable yield of the natural systems. This has called for re-assessment of the laid down priorities (Giddings, Hopwood, & O’Brien, 2002). World Commission on Environment and Development in their report “Our Common Future, London, 1987” defined sustainable development (SD) as the development that is able to meet the needs of the present and not able to compromise the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs (Burndtland,1987). The existence of harmony between human beings and nature is a prerequisite for sustainable development. For instance, this interrelationship depicts that the development of humanity that could not be cost on environmental health. The society works within the limit nature that grants penetrating beyond that will cause a threat of survival. Adequate knowledge about composition and interrelation between and among the components of environment allows the exploitation of natural resources (Brown, 2005). In this 21st century, development are interwoven with the world of social value, norms and traditional knowledge. The society-nature interrelationship is able to serve a common framework for interdisciplinary work of social and natural sciences. We can denote that natural environment, the part of nature and not included in the physical compartment of the society. Humans themselves act as material agents for the interaction between the material needs and culture. Figure 1: A model for the interaction society – nature with reference to environmental indicators Sources: Developed on the basis of Boyden (1992), Sieferle (1997a,b), Fischer-Kowalski (1997, 1998) together with M. Fischer-Kowalski, W. Bittermann, W. Hüttler, H. Weisz, H. Payer, F. Krausmann, C. Amann, K.H. Erb, and N. Schulz (pers. comm, 1998) The environmental change have effects on the society. Thus calls for the construction of a sufficiently complex environmental indicator system. The interrelationship between nature and society acts as material and energetic input-output process in analogy to the biological metabolism of the living organisms. The socio-economic metabolism portrays the physical exchange between nature and societies. As an important concept of society-nature interrelations, industrial metabolism can be related to varied environmental problems such as global warming, pollution and resource scarcity. Nonetheless, apart from the extraction of the resources and discharging of pollutants, societies can intervene into natural systems with the sole intention to render them more useful for socio-economic objectives (Habgood, 2002). For instance, agricultural activities as such influences the nutrient availability and species composition on a defined area to produce biomass. These social activities are able to change vital parameters of natural systems and also maintain them in a state different from the conditions that could prevail in the absence of human interventions. A sustainable environment encompasses the intersection between economy, society and the environment. The economy has been given emphasis in policies while environment is viewed as apart from humans. Thus are interconnected, with the economy depending on the society and the environment. The human existence and society are dependent on and within the environment. Consequently, the separation of the economy, society and the environment could lead to a narrow techno-scientific approach (Khoshoo, 1990). Issues that touched on the society that have likelihood to challenge the present socio-economic structure are marginalized in terms of maintenance of cultural diversity and sustainability of the communities. The separation can underplay the significant connections between the society, economy and the environment. The human environment depends on the environment even though the environment could continue without the society (Lovelock, 1988). The society has taken the responsibility for the environment by putting the local communities in control and thus able to take up positive action. The wider societal environment are involved in protecting and improving the natural environment. This goal can be achieved through raising awareness, joining up of policies, behavioural change and institutional capacity building. Alternatively, the relationship of the environment and the people influence the development of human society. The persons are able to establish the social institutions, forms the social institutions and eventually formulates the laws and policies thus able to safeguard their existence, interests and welfare (Habgood, 2002). The interaction between the society and nature has been significant towards sustainable development. For instance, the interconnection among the social systems (people), natural systems (plants and animals) and economic systems (likelihood opportunities) are linked to political empowerment. It is also visible in society-nature interactions either as individuals or groups, with emphasis on political and economic power relations. Resource capture and ecological marginalization have been identified as two likely patterns of social and natural interactions. These illustrates that protection and responsible management of our natural resources such that the noticeably skewed pattern of resource distribution is prevented (Appleton and Chatterjee, 2001). These prevention ensured that restriction of economic and political privileges of marginalized and disadvantaged people do not take place. Resource capture takes place when the supply of resource decreases due to degradation or the depletion of reserves or the increase in demand due to population and economic growth. This process has been known to encourage members of a society to exercise more control and ownership of the scarce natural resources. Eventually, it enhances power and wealth. The fragility of the natural environment together with increased population densities and insufficient context-appropriate knowledge have contributed to detrimental ecological damage. The linkage between economy, nature and people are inseparable especially when dealing with environmental risks and environmental security since they are at the helm of human security. The opportunities presented by the environment ought to be seized in our society with much emphasis on its inherent value and the deep connections that exist among the human beings, societies and the economies of the day. The concept of communities need to be sustained in an effort to achieve sustainable development. Distinctive cultures that range from defined group of people and specific places are sustained. Therefore their cultural diversity complements a lot to biological diversity. Fundamentally the overall aim of sustainable development is tied on what is to be sustained and developed (Giddings, Hopwood, & O’Brien, 2002). The people in our society are able to enhance and enjoy a healthy natural environment that is accompanied with an increase in the fairness on the shared benefits. It has been noted that community led action is beneficial for the natural environment. The social and environmental solutions fondly depend on the lifestyles changes of the communities and the individuals. This is with the view that the local communities are the best in designing, organizing and catalyzing the solutions. Thus they are able to bring along the knowledge of how existing spaces and relationship work and also able to identify and implement more appropriate, socially acceptable and cooperative solutions. Alternatively, humans have been portrayed as outside of and alien to nature. This advocated for the belief that the human sphere and that of nature could not at all time significantly overlap. The human society has been recognized to be above other living things and thus able to have rational decision making process. This superiority feeling made the western philosophers to consider nature as merely raw material for human use. Like any other species on earth, human society require environment since we are unable to exist except within nature. By placing ourselves separate or above from nature then we are ignoring the fact that were are animals. The human society has been depicted as something that forms part of nature and nor alien to it. Nature has been noted to be evolving world around humans which essentially and spontaneously generate human life (Doormen, 2011). Nature and the society are interdependent to each other. For instance what happen within one can impacts the other in sizeable ways. Due to this, goals, policies and activities that adhered to it were more successful with devoid of disembodying the people from the nature. Consequently the interdependence of the society and nature have generated threats to both and varied opportunities for positive change. For instance, past researches showed that threats posed by appropriately disaggregated society and nature missed important opportunities for joint improvement and mutual benefit (Rolston, 1997). The future wellbeing of the natural environment and the human society are influenced by the quality of people’s interactions with one another coupled with their cultural, social and physical environment with a sole intention to meet their essential demands. It is worthy to acknowledge the relationship with other life due to the understanding of society as fundamental part of our natural environment. Thus people are encourage to have deep seated respect for ways and other forms of life in the natural environment. The human society are integrally linked with other parts of the natural system. They affect and are affected too by what takes place in the natural system. Although our natural environment can be hostile one, it too makes our life possible especially with the provision of resources that ultimately aid in survival and improvement of human welfare. The human society have the capacity to shape significantly the interaction with our natural environment. For instance, being part of the natural environment (system) we have an obligation to maintain its integrity since we are the most sentient living creatures with special responsibility to care for our planet earth. In the natural environment, different generations of human species have a relationship. For example, all generations are inherently linked to one another either past or future using the common patrimony of earth. The human society ought to realize and protect the welfare and well-being of every generation. The healthy and decent human environment has been attributed to a sustained life –support systems of the planet earth, ecological processes and environmental conditions. Nature has been termed as a complex and interconnected system. Due to being healthy, and proper functioning, the natural environment forms the basic foundation for sustained economic growth thus prospering the local communities and the personal well-being (Khagram, Clark and Raad, 2003). The human society are guided by the code of ethics in relation to nature and environment. The relationship that exist between man and environment has been observed as a provider and an enemy. The oriental origins has portrayed humans as part of nature. Nature has been regarded as beautiful and harmonious even though it instil fear in man who strive to survive. It can be defined as a whole of the physical world with devoid of any human action. Human beings are part and apart of nature. Improved understanding of the human-environment interactions and intelligent decision making are crucial in attaining sustainable decision making. The consequences of humans on the environment and the crucial role played by the environment in supporting human welfare ought to be taken into consideration. The relationship between human society and the natural environment is an open complex and enormous system. This system is formed via the interaction between the natural environment and the human activities. It was established by virtue of the flow of material and energy acting as a link between the human society and the natural environment. This interactions forms the basis of all other relations for instance the production relations, economic relations, blood ties and political relations (Dietz, Rose & York, 2009). Natural environment has positive impact on mental and physical health of its people in the society. The environmental consequences of the society if reduced can allow our planet earth to self-recover. It thus fundamental to set defined goals that are able to prevent pollution and global warming. Conclusion The relationship between human society and the natural environment is an open complex and enormous system. The human society are integrally linked with other parts of the natural system. They affect and are affected too by what takes place in the natural system. The human society have the capacity to shape significantly the interaction with our natural environment. For instance, being part of the natural environment (system) we have an obligation to maintain its integrity since we are the most sentient living creatures with special responsibility to care for our planet earth. It is worthy to acknowledge the relationship with other life due to the understanding of society as fundamental part of our natural environment. Thus people are encourage to have deep seated respect for ways and other forms of life in the natural environment. The healthy and decent human environment has been attributed to a sustained life –support systems of the planet earth, ecological processes and environmental conditions. Taking our society as a key part of the natural environment, we thus able to understand that ecological relationships are used to determine the nature of living things. Also we will be able to develop an intense understanding of the life forms that works toward sustainable development. Since they are fundamental for survival of humanity, appeal of human self-interest and rational decision making. Currently, the human society is causing irreversible damage to our natural environment. The future wellbeing of the natural environment and the human society are influenced by the quality of people’s interactions with one another coupled with their cultural, social and physical environment with a sole intention to meet their essential demands. On this point of view, a sustainable future can be achieved when our society is understood as a fundamental part of the natural environment and not something outside it. References Battiste, M. & Henderson, J.Y. 2000. Protecting Indigenous knowledge and heritage: A global challenge. Saskatoon: Purich. Khoshoo, T.N. 1990.Towards a Sustainable Society: The times of India, New Delhi. Giddings, B., Hopwood, B., & O’Brien, G, 2002. Environment, Economy and Society: Fitting them together into Sustainable Development, Sustainable Cities Research Institute, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.10, 187-196 Barton H. 2000.Conflicting perceptions of neighbour-hood. In Sustainable communities, BartonH (Ed.). Earthscan: London; 3–18 Habgood, J. 2002. The Concept of Nature. London: Darton, Longmad & Todd. Thirmurthy, A. M, 2004. Principles of Environmental Science, Engineering and Management, Shroff Publishers Mumbai. Sanjeev Khagram, William C. Clark and Dana Firas Raad, 2003. From the Environment and Human Security to Sustainable Security and Development. Journal of Human Development 4(2):289-313. Matthew, Richard A. 2000.The Environment as a National Security Issue, Journal of Policy History, 12(1), pp. 101–122. Matthew, Richard A. 2000.The Relationship between Environment and Security, paper Presented at the Earth Forum, 4 October, Amman, Jordan. Dietz, T., Rose, E. & York, R., 2009. Environmentally Efficient Well-being: Rethinking sustainability as the relationship between human well-being and environmental impacts. Human Ecology Review, 6, No. 1. Arvanitakis, J. 2009. Contemporary Society. South Melbourne, Vic. : Oxford University Press. pp. 126-138. Brown, L. 2005. A Planet Under Stress, Debating the Earth: The Environmental Politics Reader, 2nd edn. New York: Oxford University Press. Callicott, J. B. 1994. The Conceptual Foundations of the Land Ethic. Planet in Peril: Essays in Environmental Ethics. Florida: Harcourt Brace & Company. Van Dooren, T. 2011. What is nature?, ARTS1240 – Environment and Society, Week 7. UNSW. Eckersley, R.2005. Ecocentric Discourses, Debating the Earth: The Environmental Politics Reader, 2nd edn. New York: Oxford University Press. Foss, J. E. 2009. Beyond Environmentalism: A Philosophy of Nature. Hoboken, N.J. : Wiley. pp. 8-20. Hardin, G. 2005. The Tragedy of the Commons, Debating the Earth: The Environmental Politics Reader, 2nd edn. New York: Oxford University Press. Kolbert, E. 2011. Enter the Anthropocene – Age of Man, National Geographic March 2011. Retrieved on 16th May 2013 at http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/03/age-of- man/kolbert-text> Naess, A. 2005 The Shallow and the Deep, Long-Range Ecology Movement: A Summary, Debating the Earth: The Environmental Politics Reader, 2nd edn. New York: Oxford University Press. Plumwood, 1995. Nature, Self, and Gender: Feminism, Environmental Philosophy, and the Critique of Rationalism, Environmental Ethics. New York: Oxford University Press. Passmore, J. 1995. Attitudes to Nature, Environmental Ethics. New York: Oxford University Press. Rolston III, H. 1997. Nature for Real: Is Nature a Social Construct?, The Philosophy of the Environment. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press. Read More

The society has faced fundamental shift in both values and approaches towards living on and with this planet earth. The interrelationship that exist between the society and natural environment is deemed to play a fundamental role in identifying physically, biological and socially accessible pathways to sustainability. Human beings in the society have to learn to live in harmony with nature since all natural things have intrinsic worth. The field of anthropology has explored varied facets of human-environment interaction.

With that, the culture possessed by persons in the society in a defined society was considered to be determined by the environment. Holism has been regarded as enduring characteristic in the relationship between natural environment and people in the society. Human beings have been included as a natural component of the ecosystems with the view to understand how humans interacted with their natural environment (Giddings, Hopwood, & O’Brien, 2002). Forces such as globalization and government have been deemed to influence the interaction of society with their natural environment (Gezon and Watts, 2005).

The human environment interaction is very complex with environmental factors such as depletion of ozone layer and variation in the ecosystem services influencing the human well-being. The concepts of the human ecology have been of great importance in understanding the study of human-environment interaction. According to Steward (1955) adaptation of the human society to a defined environment has been known to be creative and interactive process. At present, our human society is faced with environmental crises due to ever growing global human population.

The over reliance of energy by human for technology has resulted in the release of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases thus enhancing the greenhouse effect. The relentless pursuit of development has destroyed fauna and flora, reduce biodiversity and the general health of the ecosystems. The world has been moved into uncharted territory due to excessive human demands that have overridden the sustainable yield of the natural systems. This has called for re-assessment of the laid down priorities (Giddings, Hopwood, & O’Brien, 2002).

World Commission on Environment and Development in their report “Our Common Future, London, 1987” defined sustainable development (SD) as the development that is able to meet the needs of the present and not able to compromise the ability of the future generation to meet their own needs (Burndtland,1987). The existence of harmony between human beings and nature is a prerequisite for sustainable development. For instance, this interrelationship depicts that the development of humanity that could not be cost on environmental health.

The society works within the limit nature that grants penetrating beyond that will cause a threat of survival. Adequate knowledge about composition and interrelation between and among the components of environment allows the exploitation of natural resources (Brown, 2005). In this 21st century, development are interwoven with the world of social value, norms and traditional knowledge. The society-nature interrelationship is able to serve a common framework for interdisciplinary work of social and natural sciences.

We can denote that natural environment, the part of nature and not included in the physical compartment of the society. Humans themselves act as material agents for the interaction between the material needs and culture. Figure 1: A model for the interaction society – nature with reference to environmental indicators Sources: Developed on the basis of Boyden (1992), Sieferle (1997a,b), Fischer-Kowalski (1997, 1998) together with M. Fischer-Kowalski, W. Bittermann, W. Hüttler, H. Weisz, H.

Payer, F. Krausmann, C. Amann, K.H. Erb, and N. Schulz (pers. comm, 1998) The environmental change have effects on the society. Thus calls for the construction of a sufficiently complex environmental indicator system.

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