human impact
Lotka (1925) remarked: ‘It is not so much the organism or the species that evolves, but the entire system, species and environment. The two are inseparable’. (Williamson et al, 2003)
Technology is a vehicle from which much of human development and progress has been derived. It cannot, however develop moral values. In addition, there is no conclusive evidence to suggest that any technology can take the place of the systems in place, either natural or ethical (Cairns,2004) It is becoming increasingly clear, though, that the remaining natural resources on Earth will become insufficient if humans maintain the levels of expansion and material excess evident in the modern world. It is becoming progressively more apparent that reduction of Earth’s carrying capacity for humans may be the major problem of the twenty-first century (Carpenter, 2001). The natural system’s wellbeing is inextricably linked to the wellbeing of the human species in its entirety, and thus each individual is affected by all processes conducted. Therefore, it is wise for each individual to act in accordance, not conflict, with the natural system (Williamson et al, 2003). Population levels are increasing exponentially, while finite natural resources are being continually depleted. Natural habitats and micro ecosystems are being destroyed daily, with several species becoming extinct. (Cairns, 2004)
Giddens, as cited by Williamson et al, 2003 argues that: ‘At a certain point…-very recently in historical terms – we started worrying less about what nature can do to us, and more about what we have done to nature. This marks the transition from the predominance of external risk to that of manufactured risk.’ (Williamson et al, 2003)
Manufactured risk is a new concept to humankind as it is one which has only come to fruition in the last century. It is a direct result of technological advances which have arisen due to the need to cope with exponentially expanding population and modern society’s insatiable appetite for material prosperity. Humans have reached a point in their progression where they have become so dominant that nature is responding to their actions rather than the species itself adapting to its environment. (Williamson et al, 2003)
The aforementioned manufactured risk must be encountered in a more pragmatic manner than the simple acceptance of ‘green’ philosophy and ‘sustainable’ ideology. Extensive commitment towards altering human influence on ecology must be exercised to achieve one or more of the following elements which are fundamental to sustained human survival. (Williamson et al, 2003)
· Human population reduction
· Less impacting lifestyles
Improvements in technology to reduce overall impact (Williamson et al, 2003).