This article explores the negative relationship that exists between nature and humans, particularly in how humans continue to hurt nature while completely ignoring this fact in the process. There was a particular quote that stood in near the beginning of the piece. “With over 30 of our kindred species killed every day, something like this tragedy occurs hour after hour.” What is interesting to note about this quote is the sheer numbness that people have towards nature, much of which is due to our ignorance or separation from nature, or our complete denial in our involvement in its demise. The author notes that much of research and psychology is anthropocentric, with very little interest with outside concerns. One problem with the author’s claim is the idea that humans are purposely making decisions to hurt the environment, with him noting our desire to dominate and annihilate the environment. This however is giving too much credit to our intelligence with regards to nature. Most of our actions that end up damaging nature is a result of complete apathy towards it, not as a result of our desire to dominate or control it.
The author notes that there have been positives steps in society to ensure that future generations will not have this sense of apathy towards the environment. Passing of bills that ensure further education of children of nature is a necessary step in making sure people will make better decisions with relation to the environment. However, it is very clear that these steps have not been enough. Not only does there need to be more ways to educate children about the environment, but there also needs to be ways to incorporate nature into the daily lives of kids, which is becoming increasingly more difficult as more and more people move to cities in search of better lives. On some level, we just have to accept that the future in which people make decisions in relation to the environment is a long way off and that in the meantime, many species will continue to die off.
