In the Breakthrough Journal: Conservation in the Anthropocene, anthropocene is defined as “a new geological era in which human dominate every flux and cycle of the planet’s ecology and geochemistry.” And just as the reading says, “The effects of human activity are found in every corner of the Earth.” This article explains the effects of the exponential growth of human activities on nature. As humans alter the lands and utilize nature’s resources for development, nature itself is deteriorating. This caused us to find ways of conserving the natural wildlife we have left. But as the future only shows the increase of human activity and development, it can be seen that such acts of conservation is fruitless. However, it is seen that the method of conservation should not just act around the thought of wanting to the change back patches of land back to when it was not touched by humans at all, but to modify it in a way where it will embrace human development. And this leads us to the urban ecology.
Human Domination of Earth’s Ecosystem revolves around urban ecology. Urban ecology is the study of the interaction between humans and the ecosystem in an urban environment. Urban ecologists study the nature within urban societies to research how being surrounded by an urban society affects it. This study travels deep into every aspect of the environments humans affect, such as oceans, land, and biochemical cycles.
Both Kareiva and Vitousek bring to attention the drastic effects of anthropocene and how it’s changing our environment today. This being the reason, people are now going “backwards” and want to see more green in their societies, when in the past they wanted more skyscrapers and suburban areas. As a result, areas in conservation have largely increased and so have the animals in captivity. But Kareiva also sheds light on the fact that we underestimate nature’s strength. He quotes ” But ecologists and conservationists have grossly overstated the fragility of nature…” He states that nature is stronger than we think it is, and we need to accept this. As soon as we do, we can alter the conservation plans to one that fits better for the actual way of conserving, which is to embrace human development. Conservation at a time of anthropocene is counteractive. Vitousek expresses his idea on the need to educate people about urban ecology. People need to have a better understand of how they affect their environment. That way, they will gain a greater duty of taking care of nature.
I agree with Kareiva on how people underestimate the strength and resilience of nature. Although the traditional method of conserving wildlife and forests is effective, it is not as efficient. By accepting the fact that nature can handle a lot more than we think, we can change around the conserving methods we hold to better help preserving nature in a new way that is more efficient. I also agree with Vitousek in the need to educate people about urban ecology. A greater knowledge would equal to a greater responsibility and if most of the world understands their effect on the world, they can change the way they live and develop. I would prefer these methods over the traditional method. Out with the old and in with the new.
