Tackling environmental problems: are people and the environment antithetical?
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Date
2023
Authors
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Canadian center of science and education
Abstract
In the era where human communities have been plunged into unprecedented environmental problems, scientists and policymakers have been forced to revisit and reflect on the relationship between humanity and the natural environment. In light of all these developments, fundamental questions have been asked, such as, should nature be left alone? Are humans separate from nature? Is it too late to turn back the clock? How can we tackle the climate crisis? At the core of these questions lies the issue of the human-environment relationship, with humans being both dependent on and simultaneously harming the environment. Although the dependence of humans on natural systems is acknowledged, there seems to be uncertainty about balancing human well-being, ecosystem, and environmental integrity. It appears as though these three factors cannot co-exist harmoniously. In this contribution, we discuss the axioms of the environment and humanity and extract lessons that can be used to address the increased environmental concerns that have challenged the world. We also present a rationale for using an interdisciplinary, holistic approach to address environmental problems, proposing a Nature-integrated in Whole Systems Framework. We argue that environmental problems cannot be successfully addressed without incorporating human dimensions and treating systems as wholes. We base our argument on the fact that the challenges facing humanity are so intertwined that addressing one issue without considering the others is futile.
We propose that we need to integrate nature into every aspect of life.
Description
The paper is structured as follows: We start by discussing the different beliefs held about nature, the environment, and environmental problems and the implications of these beliefs. We then discuss the underlying causes of these problems and why we need to use a holistic approach, including a call to change our environmental behaviour. Finally, we present a framework for integrating nature into every aspect of life. WE argue that we must incorporate nature in every sphere of society, from homes to schools to town planning and health and technology. We propose
a framework called: “Nature-integrated in Whole Systems,” basing our argument on the axiom that nature and
people are intimately interlinked, so interlinked that one cannot live without another. The framework acknowledges
the complex interdependencies between social, economic, and environmental systems and the necessity to address these interdependencies in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. To support our argument, we draw upon
relevant literature, including studies on the interrelationship between human well-being and ecosystem integrity and examples of nature-integrated approaches to environmental management.
Keywords
Nature, Holistic approach, Human-nature relationships, Environmental problems, Interdisciplinary approach