Rough Draft

My relationship with nature is not as critical as it probably should be. For the most part, I don’t identify too much with the environment on a personal level. I do feel fairly disconnected with nature; I tend not to think about it unless I have to. I suppose I should have some connection because this environment creates my home and allows me to live my everyday life, but still, I feel that the environment is more of an abstract entity, therefore I find it harder to become emotionally attached.

I do believe that the environment is a critical aspect in all human life. There is only one planet Earth, so it must be preserved, to allow it to thrive for a long time to come. My belief that humans should preserve the environment is mostly out of respect. This land was originally an undisturbed, sacred place and although some good may have come from humans living here, essentially, it seems we have caused more harm than good. Therefore, I definitely agree that human interest should not be placed above what’s best for the environment.

I feel that it is disrespectful to destroy parts of the land, displacing animals from their habitat and killing off plant species that have been around for thousands of years. I feel that preserving the environment can only help us live a better life.

I suppose my environmental ethics have mostly come from the media. The media greatly influences my environmental ethics because honestly, without seeing these issues discussed on the news, or hearing debates on “green” energy during the presidential election, the environment would never cross my mind. My parents do have a small influence also. My parents have always tried to do little things like recycling aluminum cans, taking shorter showers, and turning off lights to save energy. For the most part I try to follow their lead but it is easier to forget now that I don’t live with them anymore.

I do have a feeling of being naïve. I obviously realize that there are some humongous problems facing the environment which will threaten our well being in the long run. When I do see this issues addressed on the news, I am often surprised at how devastating the consequences can be. Surely there can be other factors affecting the environment but our actions make up a huge part of the problem.

In my high school experience we never really addressed many issues involving the environment. That could be part of the reason for my ignorance, but if I really want to make a change, even if it’s a small one, I guess it is time to take a more proactive look at our environmental demise.

Even though I don’t identify much with nature, I do identify with important places in my life, and I would be heartbroken if a significant place in my life were to suddenly disappear. Nothing much ever changes where I live and so I hadn’t thought about a situation like that until we read “After the Flood”.

Writing this essay and reading the selections that we have read in class have at least encouraged me to investigate more deeply how I do feel about nature, my environment and the world. It will be interesting to see how the feelings and ideas develop throughout finishing this paper and throughout the rest of the quarter.