Author: Dana Frenkel

Sanderson and Brown’s article felt much like reading a eulogy for New York City’s ecology. Like reading any other eulogy, I felt a sense of sadness for of all the diversity, lushness, water, and resources lost. At the same time, I questioned if the city’s development over the years is really all that bad? New York City is notorious for its skyscrapers and urban lifestyle. People travel across the world just to see it, because there is no other place like it. The New York City I know and I love was unidentifiable in these pages and pages describing an area filled with biodiversity.

While I found it interesting to read about what once was, I do not believe “by providing a vivid, ecologically sound, geographically referenced reconstruction of Mannahatta, we can encourage interest in conservation of wild places and wildlife in the city” (547). In many people’s eyes, New York City is not meant to be a natural oasis and they do not long for that in place of what exists. Also, it is very unlikely that the city will ever be what once it once was unless God forbid it is destroyed, which we do not wish for either.

Are ecologists asking for such commercialized areas to be natural? Is that their ideal? Of course, we must preserve the environment, but to what extent? Just as nature provides benefits, a developed city also brings along its own perks. After all, New York in part became what it is today in 1825 when the Erie Canal allowed for goods to be imported from the Midwest and Europe. Such developments played major roles in enhancing quality of life. As much as I value the environment, it is important not to lose sight of human’s accomplishments and progression. It may not be perfect and come along with catches, but thanks to cars the fields are not too far away.

Speaking of nature, it is important not to overlook human’s natural tendency-to ask what is in it for them? Yes, people are self-centered and we must come to face with it and cater to it. However, as Miller mentions, informing people about the negative affects the collapse of the environment will have on them is not an efficient method to gain their support. Hawken even brings strong evidence that hysterics over future environmental issues do not bring people to take action. Love in this case is the answer; people must develop a positive relationship with nature, if they are ever going to defend it. In order to do so, people must be aware of the extensive benefits. Are you stressed out from school or work?… Well nature can actually help ease that anxiety. Miller shares other “quality-of-life enhancements” such as “high-order cognitive functioning, enhancing observational skills and the ability to reason…. children’s emotional and intellectual development etc.” By raising this awareness, people are more likely to act and eventually foster a connection with the environment.

If not, how can you expect people to mourn the loss of something they never had a relationship with? The schooling system does not help. This idea had me reflect on my own childhood experience with nature. At home, I did things such as spend a lot of time in my backyard, decorate plant pots at my five year old birthday party, hike with family, and attend summer camp in the woods. I was lucky enough to have access to these resources, but especially in age of heightened urbanization, I believe schools bear a burden of emphasizing this subject. So what role did my formal education play in this relationship? Close to nothing. I recall taking home a miniature plant in nursery school and going on a class trip to the Botanical Gardens in elementary school, however, these hands on programs stopped there. History, biology, and chemistry were retaught multiple times over to everyone throughout the years, but environmental studies was optional in high school. The environment is overshadowed by other subjects that schools prioritize and other causes like poverty, world peace etc. A park ranger at BioBlitz reaffirmed this reality when she told me that she runs programs for elementary school students. When I asked why such programs do not extend to older children, she asked herself the same question. Although attitudes towards nature may form during childhood, just like another relationship, this too requires consistent and conscious contact and without that it is no wonder many experience disconnect with nature.