Human and Nature: Progress in Human Geography

NB: We do not resell your papers. Upon ordering, we do an original paper exclusively for you.

NB: All your data is kept safe from the public.

Scholars have studied the complex relationship between humans and nature for centuries. This relationship constantly evolves as the understanding of humans and nature changes. The relationship between humans and nature is difficult because people are both parts of nature and separate from it. The relationship with nature is a complex one because people are constantly trying to find a balance between their needs to use and conserve natural resources. In William Cronon’s view, the relationship between humans and nature is complex (Peterson 2022). People depend on nature for survival, but they also impact nature in various ways. On the one hand, humans rely on nature for their survival, and on the other hand, they often seek to dominate and control it. This tension between dependence and control has led to several environmental problems, as humans have attempted to manipulate nature to suit their own needs without regard for the long-term consequences.

The idea of wilderness is more than just a physical place; it is an idea that has been created and shaped by human beings. William Cronon’s essay seeks to challenge the romanticized view of wilderness that has developed in American culture (Peterson 2022). Wilderness is not something that exists independently from humans; instead, it exists concerning humans (Peterson 2022). This view of wilderness challenges the traditional understanding of nature as separate from and opposed to human society.

Another illustration is how Europeans viewed nature when they first arrived in North America. According to Cronon, they saw the land as an untamed wilderness that needed to be tamed and domesticated (Peterson 2022). To do this, they brought over plants and animals from Europe that they were familiar with. They also started clearing land for farming and ranching that expanded their cultivation activities. This attitude of domination continued as the United States expanded westward (Cutler 2018). As the frontier disappeared and the country became more settled, some people started to see nature in a different light. They began to appreciate the beauty of the wilderness and the peace it could bring. This led to the development of the national parks system. People began to see nature as something to be preserved, not conquered (Peterson 2022). Cronon argues that the way people view nature is constantly changing (Peterson 2022). Peoples cultural beliefs and values influence it and people must find a balance between their need to control nature and protect it.

Another argument is the way people understand wilderness as a product of their culture and history. As per Cronon, wilderness is not an objective reality; it is a social construct (Peterson 2022). The way people define wilderness says more about us than it does about the natural world. Cronon believes that the romanticized view of wilderness is harmful because it encourages people to see nature as something separate from and opposed to human society (Cutler 2018). This view of nature is damaging because it leads people to believe they can exploit and control nature without consequences. Cronon’s essay provides a critical perspective on how humans interact with nature (Peterson 2022). He challenges the idea that wilderness is a separate and distinct space from human society. Cronon believes that humans are a part of nature and that they must learn to live in harmony with the natural world (Peterson 2022). Failure to do this creates an imbalance and unsustainability as people suffer from issues famine and the nature deteriorates.

The romanticized view of wilderness also leads to a false dichotomy between humans and nature. Cronon argues that this dichotomy is artificial and counterproductive (Peterson 2022). He believes that humans are a part of nature and that they must learn to live in harmony with the natural world (Cutler 2018). However, with the rise of the Industrial Revolution, humans began to view nature as something to be conquered and exploited. This led to a decline in the health of many ecosystems worldwide. In response to this, some people began to advocate for creating wilderness areas where humans would not be allowed to enter.

There are several examples of how the romanticized view of wilderness has shaped American culture. For instance, Cronon discusses the history of the national park system, which was created to preserve wilderness areas for future generations (Peterson 2022). Cronon also outlines how the American frontier was romanticized in popular culture. He argues that the frontier was not a natural space but a space that humans created (Cutler 2018). The border was a product of American expansionism, shaped by the violence and exploitation that characterized that expansion.

There is a clear connection between humans and nature as there is an undeniable interdependence between them. For instance, Cronon contends that humans have always been shaped by their surroundings and that the natural world has always played a role in human affairs (Cutler 2018). Cronon begins by tracing the history of Chicago, from its founding as a small trading post on the edge of the American frontier to its transformation into a global metropolis. He argues that Chicago’s growth was fueled by its location at the confluence of two major ecosystems – the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River (Cutler 2018). These two natural systems allowed Chicago to become a hub of commerce and transportation and helped it to grow into a bustling metropolis.

There are several impact of humans on the natural world that depicts their reliance on each other. Cronon argues that humans have always impacted their surroundings but that the scale of that impact has increased exponentially in recent history (Cutler 2018). He cites the example of the American frontier, which was transformed by the arrival of settlers in the 19th century. Cronon points that the border was not a pristine wilderness but a landscape shaped by the Native Americans who lived there for centuries. However, the arrival of settlers changed the landscape dramatically through logging, farming, and mining.

The land is not just a resource to be exploited but rather something that shapes human culture and identity. In his book Ritner, (2018) Cronon illustrates this in how the Native Americans and the colonists interacted with the land (Gandy 2022). The Native Americans had a deep spiritual connection to the land and saw it as a source of life. On the other hand, the colonists saw the land as a commodity to be exploited for economic gain. This different perspective led to different ways of using the land, which profoundly impacted New England’s ecology (Ritner 2018). The Native Americans managed the land through burning, which created a mosaic of different habitats that supported a diversity of plants and animals (Gandy 2022). On the other hand, the colonists cleared the land for agriculture, which led to the loss of many species and the degradation of the land.

The activities of human beings have had notable impacts on the global climate. In his book Ritner (2018) Cronon points that human activity has contributed to the greenhouse effect, resulting in a warming of the planet. He cites the example of the Arctic, which is melting at an unprecedented rate due to human-induced climate change (Gandy 2022). Cronon argues that humans must take responsibility for their impact on the environment and that they need to find ways to live sustainably on the planet.

While Cronon’s argument is convincing, it is not without its flaws. One criticism is that he does not always provide concrete evidence to support his claims. For example, he does not cite any specific studies or data to support his assertion that deforestation leads to soil erosion (Ritner 2018). Additionally, some of his arguments are based on personal opinions rather than scientific facts. For instance, his claim that humans are not separate from nature is a matter of opinion. Moreover, Crocon does not explicitly state whether he believes there is a clear connection between humans and nature (Gandy 2022). However, based on how he discusses the changing attitudes towards nature, he seems to believe there is a connection.

In conclusion, Cronon illustrates that humans and nature have a clear connection. He contends that humans have always been shaped by their surroundings and that the natural world has always played a role in human affairs. However, he argues that the scale of human impact on the environment has increased exponentially in recent history and that people need to find ways to live sustainably on the planet.

References

Geographic Sources

Cutler, Brock. 2018. “Historical Factors: Environments and Histories in Modern North Africa.” History Compass 16, no. 12: e12509. Web.

Gandy, Matthew. 2022. “Urban Political Ecology: a Critical Reconfiguration.” Progress in Human Geography 46, no. 1: 21-43. Web.

Peterson, Anna. 2022. “Religion and the Possibility of a Materialist Environmental Ethic.” Environmental Ethics 44, no. 3: 247–65. Web.

Non-Geographic Sources

Ritner, Jesse. 2018. “Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England, by William Cronon (1983).”

Click Here To Order Now!

Human and Nature: Progress in Human Geography

Do you need this or any other assignment done for you from scratch?

We have qualified writers to help you.

We assure you a quality paper that is 100% free from plagiarism and AI.

You can choose either format of your choice ( Apa, Mla, Havard, Chicago, or any other)