Rethinking Wilderness - Essay Example

Rethinking Wilderness Rethinking Wilderness There has been a significant change in climate. However, the current change has increased due to the increased activities of the humans (Cole, 2012). As a result, there have been calls for addressing the changes through various management mechanisms. A number of challenges have arisen on how to restore the already deteriorated state of the environment. This has led to Cole posing a question as to how wilderness stewards should respond to climate change and other anthropogenic factors (Cole, 2012). A reflection on problems with a naturalness that Cole thinks will hinder the stewardship of wilderness areas in the future will help in showing how Cronon’s “rethinking of wilderness” can be effectively applied to solve the problems. Naturalness is defined in different ways. It is described as characterizations of nature being apart from humans (Cole, 2012). Cole identifies problems with naturalness. The first challenge is its multiple meanings and hence leads to a different understanding to different peoples. To some people, being natural means lack of human effect, a place with little human influence (Cole, 2012). There are those that believe natural to be freedom from intentional human control while others sees it as a historical fidelity (Cole, 2012). However, the changes of ecosystem currently taking place means one has to be selective when relying on these meanings. Therefore, one has to choose between them to suit the prevailing conditions. The other challenge has been on the reasons for setting wilderness. Currently, there is no unifying reason as to why wilderness areas are set aside. This is because there have been diverse reasons for setting aside such areas. Some of the major reasons for protections include certain valued species, nostalgic landscapes, biological diversity, scenery, ecosystem services, and autonomous nature (Cole, 2012). However, with increasing knowledge, it has been found that it is difficult to achieve all the purpose in one ecosystem. For this reason, some have to be considered at the expense of others. Cronon’s “rethinking of wilderness” offers a practical solution to the problems of naturalness. The essay argues that the problems can only be solved by realizing that man has always been in existence with the wilderness. Therefore, the notion that Wilderness is the only remaining place that has been free from civilization is unreal. The author notes wilderness has been a product of civilization (Cronon, 1995). As a result, trying to set it apart from the creator will not yield any result. Therefore, the problem of naturalness can only be solved by realizing that wilderness comprises every aspect of human life. As the author notes, an encounter with a coyote, raccoon, or a deer is part of wilderness (Cronon, 1995). This comprises part of wilderness and hence needs protection from man. Cronon further acknowledges that humans have previously occupied wilderness. He notes that the myth of wilderness as a “virgin” and uninhabited land has been entirely wrong (Cronon, 1995). The most significant has been the displacement of indigenous to create a frontier attractive to the tourist (Cronon, 1995). A frontier has been defined as a creation of a supernatural landscape free from human interaction at its boundaries (Cronon, 1995). Therefore, the inhabitants have been forced to settle other places and history is eroded of their inhabitation of native areas. This creates a notion that such sites have not been interfered with by man. This is a clear indication on how wilderness has been invented in America today. Therefore, there is nothing natural in the wilderness but just a creation of culture. Hence, man has to be incorporated in solving its problems. The author also notes the solution lies by taking nature not to be wild. This is because taking nature to be wild leads to the elimination of human from naturalness (Cronon, 1995). Therefore, the presence of human in such state represents the downfall of nature. The author further notes that the term wilderness leaves no place for human beings (Cronon, 1995). Hence, it cannot solve the environmental problems that face the society (Cronon, 1995). This is because it leads to reproduction of dualism that in essence places nature and human at opposing sides (Cronon, 1995). For this reason, it is difficult for human to understand the importance of having an ethical, sustainable, and honourable human place in nature (Cronon, 1995). The author notes that nature cannot be preserved at the expense of human. The essay notes that this will terribly fail in third world countries. The essay acknowledges that such cultural myth has not existed in these countries for millennia (Cronon, 1995). Hence, the best solution as indicated in the essay is to ensure man inhabits such places in a sustainable way, and this will ensure it has a positive reception in such countries. As a result, it will be able to preserve organisms without any conflict. Otherwise exporting the American notion of wilderness will be treated as a cultural form of imperialism and hence face resistance (Cronon, 1995). The author also notes solution to the problems can start from home. This is because most of the serious environmental problems start from home (Cronon, 1995). Therefore, solving such problems means developing an environmental ethic that will tell much more about using nature as about not using it (Cronon, 1995). This may help in creating a balance between responsible use and non-use. Consequently, this may lead to a sustainable relationship. In the end, this will help in creating a better world. Moreover, this will lead to a world better for humanity in all of its diversity and the rest of the nature (Cronon, 1995). On the other hand, he calls for dismissal of the notion of wilderness. This is because it teaches us to be dismissive of humble places and experiences in midst such as a small pond near the house, and bankrupt farm in sand country of central Wisconsin (Cronon, 1995). In fact, wilderness has contributed significantly in privileging some parts of nature at the expense of others (Cronon, 1995). This has been associated to the romantic sublime. Sublime has been defined in this context as giving moral value and cultural symbol to some places such as the national parks (Cronon, 1995). Therefore, some parts are treated as glorious as compared to others. For example, the mountains tops have been glorified at the expense of the plains. The author notes that there should be awareness that people are part of the natural world. Hence, such people will be aware that they are inextricably tied to the ecological systems that sustain their lives (Cronon, 1995). A contrary opinion that depict people as separate from nature as noted in the wilderness will most likely reinforce environmentally irresponsible behaviour (Cronon, 1995). On the other hand, the author calls for man to recognize and honour nonhuman nature as a world, not of his creation (Cronon, 1995). Ultimately, this will help in instilling a responsible behaviour. Moreover, the solution is found in abandoning dualism. This is because it leads to differentiation of a something as natural and unnatural depending on location (Cronon, 1995). For example, a tree in the garden is treated as artificial while that in the wilderness as natural (Cronon, 1995). The real sense is that both trees are wild and hence need for their protection and care. Therefore, lack of such differentiation will help in valuing the world. This can only take place by avoiding differentiation into human and the non-human, natural and unnatural (Cronon, 1995). Such form of responsible behaviours practices at home will be easily passed to the children. Additionally, the author acknowledges solution lies in making a home in nature. This will help in preserving nature due to the coexistence. This will ensure individual use the nature in a sustainable manner. The author acknowledges it is inevitable to change some parts of nature (Cronon, 1995). As the essay indicates, by acknowledging the autonomy and otherness of things and creatures around us, there will be careful thought about the uses in which we put them (Cronon, 1995). Such kind of thinking will help any individual to have a wilderness moment in anywhere on the earth. Consequently, a person will have a responsibility of taking care of what is within the environment by acknowledging wilderness comprises all aspects of life(Cronon, 1995). In addition, the author calls for learning to honour the world. Such honour will encompass remembering and acknowledging the autonomy of other. As the author notes, this means striving for critical self-evaluation in all our actions (Cronon, 1995). This means tat any act of use must be accompanied by a deep reflection and respect. Moreover, the action calls for consideration of the possibility of non-use. The author notes that this means that an individual must turn to part of nature they are relying on and ask whether there is a possibility of using it in a sustainable manner (Cronon, 1995). The use should ensure that nature is not diminished in the process of use. The author calls individuals not to flee from taking responsibility of all aspect of nature just by creation of a mythical wilderness (Cronon, 1995). He acknowledges preservation can only be achieved by acknowledging history and obligations that have always been there since antiquity. In conclusion, it is clear Cronon “rethinking of wilderness” offers a practical solution to the problems of naturalness. He calls for recognition of human as being part of nature. Moreover, he wants human to recognize the benefits that are achieved from nature and hence live in a sustainable manner. The author also notes that there is need to honour the world for better preservation of nature. He also notes that nature should be treated like a home so as to understand the role it plays in individual and society existence. Lastly, he acknowledges consciousness as an important tool in solving the problems. All these factors combined will go a long way in preserving nature. References Cole, D. (2012). “Beyond Naturalness: Adapting Wilderness Stewardship to an Era of Rapid Global Change.” International Journal of Wilderness, 18, 9-14. Cronon, W. (1995). The Trouble with Wilderness; or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature. New York: Norton, 69-75. Read More