Introduction
The rate at which the current environmental crisis has escalated is attributed to the interplay between human activities and nature. There are many explanations that have been provided for the environmental crisis, but most of them fail to directly place the blame on people. For instance, scientists and government institutions have developed a culture of blaming global warming on the manufacturing and transportation industry.
It is apparent that people have strived to steer off the blame for the environmental crisis that the world is facing, but they are the primary instigators of the problem. The ability of the earth to sustain humanity is gradually depleting because of the competition that man has mounted against nature. While some of the activities that man has been doing on nature are inevitable, it is possible to control the destruction of natural resources to strike an equilibrium between human needs and their natural supplies.
The progress recorded by humanity over the past century has been a result of exploiting what nature has to offer. However, over the past several decades, it has become apparent that people have over-exploited nature, leading to an environmental crisis. This paper looks at the current environmental crisis, with a close focus on people’s relationship with nature.
Pollution
Human activities are the main reasons that there has been an increase of different types of pollution. The current environmental crisis is a function of the changes in climatic conditions in different parts of the world. Global warming has affected the environment adversely by causing unpredictable climatic conditions in different parts of the world. Global warming is a concept that humans have overly attributed to the use of oil-based fuel in the manufacturing and transport industry.
It is apparent that air pollution would be reduced to a significant low if humans did not contribute to it. The carbon footprint of every individual contributes to global warming.This footprint can be calculated by evaluating the consumption behaviour of individuals on an annual basis. This should include the air pollution factors of transportation, food, and other products that an individual consumes annually. The average per capita emissions in the U.K. is 9.4 tonnes (Individual Level, 2015).
Water pollution is a significant cause of the current environmental crisis. The rate of water pollution has escalated over the years, and it is evidenced by the diminishing number of water organisms in some parts of the world. For instance, in countries that are involved in horticulture, their waste water from the farms is directed to natural water sources like rivers and lakes. This has led to the extinction of some plant and animal species. Pollution of large water bodies like oceans has also been witnessed over the past decade.
For instance, the BP deepwater horizon oil spill is one of the recent human-caused disasters that led to an extensive destruction of the flora and fauna in the region (Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, 2015). Many species, including microscopic organisms were affected by the oil spill, and the environment in the neighbouring regions was also compromised. In a time when humans should be focusing on conserving water, pollution seems to take the centre stage in the relationship between people and the environment (Clark, 1992).
Population size
The global population has increased tremendously over the 19th century owing to the enhancement of health care services, and the availability of natural resources to support life (Chiras, 1991). The increasing population has resulted in the need for the development of settlement lands. The population increase has also resulted in the need for the cultivation of more food crops and raising higher numbers of domestic animals.
These activities require large pieces of land, which has led to the clearing of vast areas of land originally covered by natural vegetation (Leach & Mearns, 2013). Extensive deforestation is one of the results of population increase. Human economic activities have also led to the development of roads and other infrastructure for transportation purposes. The quest for economic superiority among nations has led to the destruction of natural vegetation, and this is one of the factors that are linked to global warming and climate change (Adams & Mulligan, 2012).
Conclusion
The relationship between people and nature needs to be at equilibrium for the earth to effectively sustain the global population. Over the past century, people have overly exploited the available natural resources; thus, shifting the equilibrium. This has led to an environmental crisis that is threatening the future of humanity. Pollution and clearing of natural vegetation are some of the human activities that have ruined the relationship between people and the environment.
It is apparent that this relationship can only be brought back to equilibrium through the integration of efforts to conserve the environment. People should look at reducing their individual carbon footprints, and they should refrain from destroying natural vegetation and wildlife. People should look into better ways of relating with nature to enhance the chances of survival for future generations.
References
Adams, W. M., & Mulligan, M. (2012). Decolonizing nature: strategies for conservation in a post-colonial era. London: Earthscan.
Chiras, D. D. (1991). Environmental Science-Action for a sustainable future. San Fransisco: Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Company.
Clark, R. B. (1992). Marine pollution, 3rd edition. Oxford: Clarendon.
Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. (2015).
Individual Level: Self-help. (2015).
Leach, G., & Mearns, R. (2013). Beyond the woodfuel crisis: people, land and trees in Africa. London: Routledge.