Engineering and Technology versus the natural Environment - Essay Example

Submitted: Engineering & Technology versus the Natural Environment There is a fundamental conflict between the aspirations for a civilised life and the maintenance of the natural environment. This conflict lies within the opposition of the inherent definitions of the terms ‘civilised’ and ‘natural’ and the necessary conflicting conditions under which each is attained. While mankind has lived in the purest of natural environments for thousands of years, the advancement of modern technology and a vast accumulation of physical knowledge has changed the standards of what many in developed countries consider to be normal, civilised and necessary. This change in human expectations about their environment is both due to external influences such as scientific advances and subsequent adverse environmental effects, and underlying psychological processes such as shifting perspectives on what is considered civilised. The human race is highly compatible with natural environments, which has been proven by evolutionary and biological theories (AllAboutScience.org, 2012). For thousands of centuries, humans all over the world lived entirely off the natural environment at its most untouched and original state. It provided shelter, clothing, food and water, the most essential of basic human needs. Without knowledge or more importantly, any real desire or motivation to become civilised, the human race prospered in the natural environment and left it largely untouched. In fact, Pierotti and Wildcat (2000) state that mankind thoroughly respected the earth and tribes such as the American Indians, believed that treating the earth and nature with anything other than the utmost care, gratitude and even worship, was an offence that would be detrimental to that person’s spirit. More recently of course, particularly during the late 19th century and early 20th century, a great array of scientific and technical discoveries were made which directly affected the way in which mankind viewed its environment as something to be changed to meet its needs and desires more conveniently. With engineering innovations came bigger houses, transportation systems, increased infrastructure and urban development. All of these things, once made apparent to mankind, did not remain novelties for long, but soon became seen as essential and a practical and fundamental aspect to civilised living, without which, human needs were not being met. The famous psychologist, Abraham Maslow explains this shift in thought in his ‘hierarchy of needs’ theory (1973). This theory explains that human needs are based upon which needs have already been met. At the bottom of the hierarchy, are the more physical human needs of shelter and nourishment. When these are difficult to come by, they are essentially all that is felt to be ‘needed’ by the individual. It is only when these needs are met, that the person feels a need for something else, which according to this theory, would be things like friendship and family. At the top of the hierarchy, are much more emotional needs such as self-actualisation, professional achievement and similar. The point is, as the world became built up and urbanised, and more tools and aesthetic factors thus became more common, people’s needs and expectations fundamentally changed. Quite paradoxically, as the world has radically shifted in its desires to become increasingly civilised, archeologically impressive and technologically convenient, so too has the global interest in maintaining the natural environment. In recent decades, the adverse impact that technology and engineering has had upon the natural environment has become increasingly apparent and worrisome, as rainforest destruction is widespread and climate changes have reached shocking levels. Environmental groups have long been urging people to acknowledge the crucial importance of maintaining the natural environment, not just because of the vital role that its elements play in sustaining life, but because of its beauty and significance. Perhaps it is due to the culmination of the results of technological advances that people can now truly see the danger that the natural environment is in, as it is so starkly different. Images of huge mechanical devices destroying rainforests and natural habitats, information about the massive number of endangered species and the extreme weather conditions of the last decade are perhaps just some of the factors which have given impetus to the renewed desire to maintain the natural environment. People by nature often want what they cannot have. In this way, it could be said that the heights reached by scientific innovation in enabling such a degree of civilisation, have made natural states of environment more uncommon, and therefore more elusive. Whereas a century ago people would likely have dreamed about the possibilities of technical advancement, it is now a very common dream to lie by a beach, own a house in the countryside or even climb a mountain. Humans as a race are inherently complex and even self-destructive creatures and this is clearly evident in the conflicts between aspirations for a civilised life and the maintenance of the natural environment. As technology and engineering have entirely changed our lives, our basic standards for living and for what is considered civilised have changed dramatically. With more tools come higher expectations in all areas of life including transport, architecture, convenience, appliances, entertainment and physical luxury. Simultaneously however, this severe technological spread which has lead to the demise of many natural resources and habitats, has also changed peoples perspective on the importance of maintaining the natural world. But the terms ‘civilisation’ and ‘natural’ are fundamentally different. Buildings, houses, equipment, possessions and man-made objects can be re-built, adapted and modified, but the natural world has its limitations and cannot be brought back once eradicated. This realisation is now coming to the fore particularly due to frightening changes in climate, animal extinction, disease victims and pollution, as people can now directly see the effects that too much unnatural interference has on the natural environment. It has never been more crucial to find a balance between the two goals so that the needs of civilisation are met without compromising the health of the natural environment. References AllAboutScience.org (2012). Evolution of Man. Available at: http://www.allaboutscience.org/evolution-of-man.htm [Accessed 4 April 2012] Maslow, A. (1973). The Farther Reaches of Human Nature. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin. Pierotti, R. and Wildcat, D. (2000). Traditional Ecological Knowledge: The Third Alternative, Ecological Applications, 10(5), 1333-1340. Read More