Introduction
The connection between human kind on one hand and nature and the environment on the other becomes weaker as time goes by due to rapid urbanization and growth of towns and technology. It has been very difficult for individuals living in urbanized areas to appreciate nature because they do not always experience it.
People who live in urban areas lack fundamental attributes and responsibility towards nature because they do not perceive nature as important due to lack of first hand experience. Technological innovations should not be rated above the need to conserve the natural environment.
Most technological inventions may at given points need the products of nature as resource materials meaning that technology and nature can be interdependent. The impact of technology on the environment cannot however be underestimated because technology has made negative impacts on the environment than positive ones.
Acts that Destroy the Natural World
Various activities performed by humans pose dangers to the environment by destroying, altering or worsening the state of the natural world. The most common activities by human kind on the encroachment of the natural environment include farming, industrial operations, housing and infrastructural operations.
This encroachment has led to the deterioration and even extinction of various natural species within the environment. Pollution comes as a result of human encroachment on the environment that has led to industrialization and urbanization. The industries lead to urbanization of towns and emit greenhouse gases to the environment.
Vehicles and other machinery that use petroleum fuels also emit gases destroy the ozone layer of the earth. These gases contribute to global warming that has led to melting of ice caps, increase in ocean levels, heat strokes, drought and also famine. The clearing of natural habitats, poaching, lumbering and burning of charcoal also destroys the natural resources.
The said activities destroy the habitats of natural plant and animal species and this leads to their extinction and eradication. Lumbering of rare species of trees also leads to extinction of rare plant species. Reclamation of natural environments such as wetlands, swamps, lakes and ever glades also destroys the natural environment.
These natural habitats preserve both animal and plant species. They are also used to filter the water flowing into them and also are used in controlling flood, siltation and soil erosion.
Responsibilities towards nature
Without nature, human existence would cease to be a reality. Most people do not really know and appreciate nature. Sensitization efforts towards environmental conservation and preservation should be made through human awareness campaigns.
The responsibility towards conservation of nature should be inculcated into the society starting from kindergartens to universities. Young children should be aware of their responsibilities even when certain of them live in urban areas.
Preservation of nature
Preservation of nature involves the act of maintaining the present conditions of nature or natural places that have not been misused by humans.
Due to human encroachment into different environments, various wild landscapes, natural wild habitats, species of wild animals and plants have been destroyed, lost and certain have also become extinct because they cannot survive in the new conditions that the humans have interfered with in the area. The need for formation of new nature preservation organizations should be enhanced.
The existing organizations of environmental preservation should be strengthened through advocacy initiatives and increased funding by the government. The government should also integrate relevant curriculum in the education system to facilitate education on environmental preservation to the population from children of small ages to adults in college levels.
Conservation of nature
Conservation of nature involves the sustainable use and management of nature and the renewable and non-renewable natural resources. The resources include wildlife, earth minerals and other deposits, water and the air in the atmosphere. Nature conservation is meant to focus on human needs and interests, for example, the cultural, economic, biological and recreational aspects.
Sensitization on conservation to the general public through modern technology and social sites like Facebook and Twitter can play a big role in conserving nature. Specific days should be set aside for communal awareness projects on environmental conservation (Saylor, 2012).
Volunteer programs on environmental conservation should be encouraged by the government because various stakeholders should be involved in conservation practices. Environmental conservation should not be the responsibility of relevant environmental bodies alone. The community should be integrated in environmental conservation efforts to promote responsibility through participation.
This fact would ensure better outcomes in conservation initiatives through community participation. Resources must be properly utilized for them to help humans lead better lives. Conservation efforts recognize the importance of development but stress the need for strategic management of natural resources (Lum, 2011).
Planting of trees and creation of nature parks
The planting of trees in deforested areas and in parks may greatly contribute in creation of nature parks. Trees should be planted in homes as a means of preserving the environment. The initiative can be promoted within the community in local conservation programs. During nature awareness campaigns and rallies, voluntary activities can be initiated to plant trees in the neighborhood (Kritek, 2002).
Fundraising activities that can be used to run local organizations of environmental conservation should be done. The funds can also be used to start animal orphanages and for maintenance of nature parks in the community.
Uses of nature
Presently, natural resources serve important roles within the society. They play important roles in studying environmental biology, ecology, entomology, botany, geology, zoology and also soil science. Natural resources can be used as significant controls that can be utilized in the research studies and initiatives.
They can also used in cultural studies and recreational activities like bird study and watching, identification of medicinal herbs and various tree species that are of significance in the society. The resources also preserve the rare plant and animal species. Preservation and conservation of nature also provide several practical benefits to humanity.
The efforts ensure that raw materials for many industries are provided for development and production of necessary products like timber. Majority of medicines and drugs used in modern society are derivatives of many medicinal plants. From a genealogical point of view, the environment and natural resources serve certain religious and cultural roles for many communities in the world.
The destruction of the natural world may interfere with the culture and beliefs of the said communities especially in South America and Africa. Nature can also be used to provide recreational benefits. Instead of spending time in cinemas, visiting clubs and surfing the internet, nature offers a different kind of entertainment (Ezquerro, 2010). The peaceful and quiet environment that nature offers can be relaxing.
Nature can also offer sporting activities like bird watching, game watching, rock climbing, boat riding, and mountain hiking. These activities may be advantageous for the body and also health. Special guidelines on the best conservation practices should be determined by environmental authorities because guidelines remain crucial in harmonizing conservation initiatives.
Reports have in the past been made that regulatory mechanisms have not been established leading to certain excesses in environmental conservation like planting of trees in areas that are not designated by the government hence causing harm to humans in certain ways.
Conclusion
Every individual should take the responsibility of preserving and conserving nature because nature supports life and without nature, then the world would be inhabitable. A lot of research should be conducted to find better ways of conserving and preserving the natural environment. The research should aim at providing better ways of promoting environmental conservation.
Proper legislation should be enacted by the government in order to provide a concrete basis for enforcement of environmental policy. Societies that do not have strong environmental laws usually perform poorly in ratings on environmental conservation. The government should provide adequate budgetary allocation for environmental conservation efforts to all stakeholders.
Strong legislation cannot be enforced without human and monetary resources. Adequate funds would improve public awareness efforts, facilitate training of environmentalists on emergent and technologically oriented environmental efforts, and improve infrastructure and incorporation of key stakeholders in inclusive consultative meetings.
Technology should be integrated in the development agenda of the government only when it meets certain environmental criteria. The government should set up special institutions to assess the impact of any technological innovation in respect to the environment.
References
Ezquerro, A 2010, Cohesion and coherency in group analysis. Group Analysis, 43, Cengage Learning, Connecticut.
Kritek, P 2002, Negotiating at an even table: developing moral courage in resolving or conflicts second edition, Jossey-Bass, Texas.
Lum, G 2011, The negotiation field book, Simple strategies to help one negotiate everything, McGraw-Hill companies Inc, New York City.
Saylor, M 2012, The Mobile Wave: How Mobile Intelligence Will Change Everything, Perseus Books/Vanguard Press, New York.