Other Perspectives on the Environment


We know that the environment is essential to sustainability and prosperity. If we do not use our natural environment in some way, we cannot create prosperity. If we overuse or abuse our environment, that prosperity cannot be sustained.

Our worldview is the most important consideration when we think about nature and how we should treat it.

Stewardship

The view of nature of many First Nations cultures is that mankind is part of nature, and mankind should not dominate but live in harmony with the natural world. This perspective is common to Indigenous people the world over. The way of life for most Indigenous peoples is dependent on living in harmony with nature.

Many other cultures also believe that nature is sacred and that human beings have a responsibility to care for it and protect it. This belief can stem from a love and worship of nature itself, or from other religious beliefs including the belief that the universe was created by God or a supreme being. Therefore, because the environment was created by a supreme being, it should be protected and cared for by mankind. Environmentalism is the name given to this perspective. Environmentalists are concerned with the preservation, restoration, and improvement of the natural world, including conserving natural resources and preventing pollution. Not all environmentalists believe in a higher power, nor do they all believe in worshipping nature, but they all believe that as human beings we must protect and preserve the world around us.

Public Domain

Imperialism is another perspective about how people should treat the environment. You have learned that in political terms imperialism is the domination of one country over another. In the environment, imperialism means the control or domination of the environment by human beings. Imperialists believe that human beings should dominate the environment because the world is designed to serve their needs. Science and technology are used to harness nature and make its materials useful to human beings. People with a controlling view about nature often believe that while human use of the environment might produce problems, we do not need to limit our impact on the natural world because any resulting problems can be solved by science. They believe that for developed and developing countries to progress, they must use scientific and technological advancement.

Utilitarianism is another perspective on the environment. A utilitarian viewpoint holds that the environment should be used to serve people and their needs. However, humans should preserve and protect the environment because it is fundamental to human happiness and prosperity both today and in the future.