The enviroment problem is too large and diverse for man to take corrective action. Leave it to nature?

Question

Man with his own self interest to guard and so many diverse views will find it impossible to take any concerted action to take any corrective measures to cure the ills of human folly. Man has created a problem too large for any corrective measures to be taken by him. May be we should leave it to nature for such a corrective action.

Answer 1

Only problem with that solution is nature's answer may be to wipe us out!

Answer 2

I agree let nature do its thing. The one thing you have to remember is that WE are a part of nature and this planet, so do your part. It benefits us all!

Answer 3

That would be a bit like putting your head in the sand and hopeing things will fix itself.  You have over generalized mans ability or lack of.  We must try to fix what we have created or it surely will fix us.

Answer 4

Don't leave it all to nature.

Each individual should as he/she feels towards the problem.

Then let nature do the rest.

Answer 5

The melting icecaps is already a sign of nature "correcting" the carbon imbalance. More water in the oceans mean greater capacity for it to absorb carbon from the air and clean it up.  

But of course that would mean disaster for millions. What a lot of people sometimes forget is that man, being a product and a part of nature, is also a formidable FORCE of nature.

Threatened with mass destruction, humanity will definitely come up with a concerted effort to guard his most basic self interest: survival.

Answer 6

Well, the thing is, people are able to take concerted -- or at least coordinated individual -- action.  A couple weeks ago in Sydney, Australians turned off their lights, computers and t.v.s voluntarily for one hour.  On that night, the city's energy consumption dropped a full 10%.  That's a noticable change from business as usual, and it's shown folks that it's not a severe impediment to their lifestyles, even in the Fall of the year.  Many of us here in the U.S. did likewise informally that night, as well as yesterday, which was Earth Day.

We don't need an over-arching plan -- though that might well help -- so much as we need people who understand they *can* make the changes that will improve conditions for themselves and for those around them.  Once people believe they can, they are generally willing to do so.

Peace

Answer 7

In 2004, the Norwegian Nobel Committee placed the critical issue of environment and its linkage to democracy and peace before the world by awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to Prof Wangari Maathai of Kenya.

“For their visionary action” she says, “I am profoundly grateful. Recognizing that sustainable development, democracy and peace are indivisible is an idea whose time has come…..”

Prof Maathai goes on to say, amongst other things….

"In 2002, the courage, resilience, patience and commitment of members of the Green Belt Movement, other civil society organizations, and the Kenyan public culminated in the peaceful transition to a democratic government and laid the foundation for a more stable society.

It is 30 years since we started this work. Activities that devastate the environment and societies continue unabated. Today we are faced with a challenge that calls for a shift in our thinking, so that humanity stops threatening its life-support system.

We are called to assist the Earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own – indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty and wonder.

This will happen if we see the need to revive our sense of belonging to a larger family of life, with which we have shared our evolutionary process.

In the course of history, there comes a time when humanity is called to shift to a new level of consciousness, to reach a higher moral ground. A time when we have to shed our fear and give hope to each other.

That time is now.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has challenged the world to broaden the understanding of peace: there can be no peace without equitable development; and there can be no development without sustainable management of the environment in a democratic and peaceful space.

This shift is an idea whose time has come.

I call on leaders, especially from Africa, to expand democratic space and build fair and just societies that allow the creativity and energy of their citizens to flourish.

There is also need to galvanize civil society and grassroots movements to catalyse change. I call upon governments to recognize the role of these social movements in building a critical mass of responsible citizens, who help maintain checks and balances in society.

On their part, civil society should embrace not only their rights but also their responsibilities.

Further, industry and global institutions must appreciate that ensuring economic justice, equity and ecological integrity are of greater value than profits at any cost.

The extreme global inequities and prevailing consumption patterns continue at the expense of the environment and peaceful co-existence. The choice is ours.

I would like to call on young people to commit themselves to activities that contribute toward achieving their long-term dreams.

They have the energy and creativity to shape a sustainable future. To the young people I say, you are a gift to your communities and indeed the world. You are our hope and our future.

The holistic approach to development, as exemplified by the Green Belt Movement, could be embraced and replicated in more parts of Africa and beyond. It is for this reason that I have established the Wangari Maathai Foundation to ensure the continuation and expansion of these activities.

Although a lot has been achieved, much remains to be done."

You can read the whole of Prof Maathai's Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance speech at

http://www.eastandard.net/archives/cl/pr...