We, Nature, Future

So, nature. Somehow, somewhere along the way, the natural world and its resources fell into opposition with economic growth and prosperity. In the present day atmosphere, it seems as though to be a lover of old growth forests, pristine water sources or undisturbed wildlife habitats is to be an enemy of job creation, a stable economy and national security. I sincerely love untrammeled spaces where the forces of life and the mechanisms of geologic forces have been allowed to work with minimal disruptions from human beings. Such spaces seem to provide the conditions for a different type of thinking, a perception of a more harmonious state of being that might be able to serve as a model or at least an inspiration for a healthier society. Such spaces also help provide clean water and air--necessities for human existence. Currently, though, there are many threats to the relatively few remaining environments in which human activity has not drastically altered the conditions for life and the interaction of flora, fauna, mineral, air, water and warmth. This is not to say that humans are not natural. Indeed, we most certainly are a part of the natural world, no matter how hard we try to mechanize it, to manipulate it, to utilize it to the perceived advantage of our species. This is where I find myself questioning my devotion to these pristine spaces. As I continue my endeavors to truly understand the thinking and feelings of my fellow human beings, particularly those with whom I least agree, I strive to understand how we can continue to alter the earth and her atmosphere to such a degree in the name of what I understand to be economic well being. If we continue in our search for and seizure of coal, oil, natural gas, rare earth minerals and water, and if we continue to create radioactive waste from nuclear power plants, and if we continue to cut down forests for lumber or cattle or palm oil--all of which generate capital and create jobs--what will the world look like? I ask this question in earnest. The human race has been in a fast-forward, hard-driving. planet-dominating quest for quite some time now. We have not stopped our development as a species. We continue to invent and explore, to consume and reproduce. Our current path may lead us to a mechanized society with little of nature as we currently understand it left to observe or utilize, an earth where air and water are cleaned by machines rather than rainforests and layers of earth, where the only animals are pets, where temperature is controlled by satellites and gigantic phase changes of hydrochlorofluorocarbons. Perhaps this is the direction in which our culture needs to progress. Perhaps those, like me, who cling to the forms of the natural world that have persisted for thousands of years are the ones who are actually holding up the development of humanity towards its ultimate potential. This is the direction my thinking takes when trying to empathize with those who claim economic necessity for the alteration of the earth and expansive use of her resources. It is difficult for me to imagine these people-- many of whom are clearly intelligent, have the capacity to follow thoughts to a productive and clear conclusion and who certainly are able to grasp and conceive a broad and long term view of consequences for actions--see any other outcome. I am doing all I can to understand these world-views, these economic necessities and take strides to help bridge the gulf of belief and perspective in our current culture, though, I must admit, I am tempted to go sit next to the shimmering mirror of a high mountain lake or upon the sands of a lonely, cold and windswept ocean beach and spend time with an old friend before she's changed forever and we no longer recognize one another for what we once were.