THE HUMAN NATURAL WORLD RELATIONSHIP
The Human Natural World Relationship
10
C h a p t e r 2
THE HUMAN NATURAL WORLD RELATIONSHIP
“We cannot win this battle to save species and environments without forging an emotional bond
between ourselves and nature as well - for we will not fight to save what we do not love”
Stephen Jay Gould (Orr, 1994)
Figure 2: Chapter 2
2.1 INTRODUCTION
The Human Natural World Relationship is expressed through a person’s views and
behaviour towards the natural world, which can be either constructive or destructive. This
interaction is evident through a person’s environmental ethics and place attachment, which
have been briefly described in the previous chapter, and will be discussed in more detail in
Chapters Three and Four. Whilst the previous chapter outlined the structure and purpose of
the thesis, this chapter will expand on the Human Natural World Relationship and the
interaction of humans with the natural world. The topics covered in this chapter are shown
in Figure 2.
Views on the Human Natural World Relationship, both historic and contemporary, are
presented to provide a deeper understanding of perceptions towards nature. This chapter
discusses the human-environment literature from a range of disciplines and briefly outlines
the place attachment and environmental ethics literature found in tourism and management
Chapter 2 Human Natural World Relationship
Introduction Human-Environment Literature
Human Natural World Relationship Historic View
Conclusion
Environmental Timeline
Human Natural World Relationship Theorists and Philosophers
The Human Natural World Relationship
11
research. At the conclusion of this chapter, the historic development of the Human Natural
World Relationship, the human-environment theorists and philosophers and the diverse
range of perceptions about human interaction with nature will be more evident. Numerous
seminal publications and books have contributed to understanding the human-environment
interaction, and an environmental timeline has been included in this chapter to capture these
important works.
Introduction to the Literature
The literature was inspected from scholarly-refereed journals, conference proceedings,
books, dissertations, government documents and policy reports across a number of
discipline areas such as human geography, environmental psychology, tourism, leisure,
forestry and environmental education. Approximately 600 articles were examined and the
scope of the journals that were looked at is shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Journals used in the study
JOURNALS Environmental Psychology & Human/Environment
Environmental Psychology Society and Natural Resources Human Ecology Review
Nature Human Nature
Landscape and Urban Planning Progress in Human Geography
Landscape Research
Annals of the Association of American Geographers
Human Geography
Int. Research in Geographical and Environmental Education Environment Environmental Education Research
Environmental Planning and Mg Ethics and the Environment Aust. Journal of Environmental Mg.
Ecological Economics Environment and Behaviour Environmental Education Environmental Ethics
Leisure Sciences Parks and Recreation
Forestry Leisure Research
Australian Association of Natural Resource Mg.
Leisure
Park and Recreation Administration Tourism Annals of Tourism Research
Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research Hospitality and Tourism Research Int. Journal of Tourism Research Sustainable Tourism Tourism and Cultural Change
Tourism Geographies Tourism Management Tourism Research Travel Research World Leisure
Other Academy of Management Journal Social Philosophy Social Science Journal
Social Issues Science
The Human Natural World Relationship
12
The management and tourism literature was reviewed to establish the extent of research in
place attachment and environmental ethics in these disciplines. There was no evidence in the
management literature of studies that incorporated both environmental ethics and place
attachment in the same study. However, environmental ethics studies were apparent although
they were not in a protected area setting. Multidisciplinary in approach, they drew on work
from psychology and environmental science.
Studies in place attachment in the management literature were few with the exception of
work undertaken in landscape and urban planning. For instance, a study by Norwegian
researchers, Kaltenborn and Bjerke (2002b) examined landscape preferences and place
attachment, and revealed responsiveness to ecocentric views amongst stakeholders. This
was encouraging for managers, who present development and conservation plans to
stakeholders.
Studies into the Human Natural World Relationship within a protected area setting were not
evident in the tourism literature, although a few separate studies in environmental ethics
and in place attachment were apparent. The tourism literature contained multidisciplinary
studies. The studies have made a significant contribution to tourism research, which will be
discussed further in Chapter Three.
The review was expanded to include multidiscipline areas. The leisure journals uncovered a
wealth of place attachment studies, while environmental ethics studies were found mostly in
environmental psychology, environmental education and human geography journals. An
overview of the findings in the management and tourism literature relating to the thesis is
discussed in Chapters Three and Four; however, it has been mentioned in this chapter so that
the human-environment literature can be placed in context with this work.
The Human Natural World Relationship
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Human-Environment Research
Studies in either place attachment or environmental ethics were found mostly in the social
and natural sciences, in human geography, environmental psychology, leisure, forestry and
environmental education. The human-environment literature was systematically divided
into three main topics, the Human Natural World Relationship literature, environmental
ethics and place attachment. The Human Natural World Relationship literature is discussed
in this chapter. The literature consists of examples of the historic and contemporary
human-environment interaction. Environmental ethics included ecological orientation and
nature values, and place attachment; that is, the emotional, symbolic, historic, and
functional attachments people have to places. These later topics will be discussed in
Chapter Three and Chapter Four.
2.2 THE HUMAN NATURAL WORLD RELATIONSHIP
Historic View
Human interaction with nature, through a dependence on nature, has seen periods of
environmental degradation and the depletion of natural resources throughout human
existence. This degradation has been responsible for the extinction of many ancient societies
such as Ancient Rome and the Babylonian Empire (Mebratu, 1998; Niragu, 1994). Human
history has also shown that man can overcome these setbacks through an unyielding will for
survival through continued efforts to adopt new ways (Niragu, 1994). According to Wall
(1994), the study of human relationships with nature is important for those who seek
solutions to current environmental problems. Lessons can be learnt by examining whether
our ancestors were aware of, and responded to, issues such as soil erosion, air pollution and
heavy metal contamination, such as lead, which is believed to have contributed to the fall of
Rome (Niragu, 1994).
The mobility of plants and animals has played an important role in the self-regulating
regeneration of the earth. Man, as part of this system, has also moved and adapted in order to
The Human Natural World Relationship
14
survive. Throughout human history, man’s relationship with nature has been one of reliance.
Adaptation of lifestyle has been a necessity and has driven innovation to develop new
systems to overcome the threat of extinction. Evolutionary experts believe that degradation
of plants and animals and population growth have driven the need for change throughout time
(Meadows, Meadows & Randers, 1992). An example of human adaptation prompted by
challenging events in history is illustrated in Table 2 and discussed in the following section.
Human Adaptation and Innovation
The history of human habitation shows a pattern of destruction of natural assets attributed in
most part to population growth (Curran & De Sherbinin, 2004; Meadows, Meadows &
Randers, 1992). As natural resources became scarce, humans found innovative ways to
survive which led to transformations in social structures. This began in two million BC with
the hunter-gatherers who adapted their lifestyle to include hunting large mammals. When
wild resources, both crops and animals became scarce, people were forced to move further
away from their traditional hunting areas. Some of these early humans increased their
nomadic wanderings and migrated to other continents (Mebratu 1998). Others adapted to the
depletion of resources by farming, which allowed them to stay in one location.
The decision to plant crops and domesticate animals precipitated a huge change in societies,
which became known as the domestication revolution of 7500BC (Meadows, Meadows &
Randers, 1992). This change produced a dependable food supply and led to land ownership
and the concepts of wealth, trade, money, status and power (Brent & Thompson, 1995;
Meadows, Meadows & Randers, 1992). Hunter-gatherers and the domestication revolution
serve as examples of the ability of early humans to address the problem of a dwindling
resource base. Similarly, human innovation is evident in their ability to adopt new ways of
survival, which parallels the struggle facing contemporary humans.
The Human Natural World Relationship
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Table 2: Human Adaptation & Innovation
H U
N T
E R
- G
A T
H E
R E
R S
B as
is fo
r s pi
rit ua
l co
nn ec
tio n
w ith
n at
ur e
(S cu
ll 19
99 b)
D O
M E
ST IC
A T
IO N
R
E V
O L
U T
IO N
C
au se
o f s
ep ar
at io
n fr
om n
at ur
e (S
he pa
rd 1
98 2)
A G
R IC
U L
T U
R A
L
C O
M M
U N
IT IE
S
A G
R IC
U L
T U
R A
L
R E
V O
L U
T IO
N
(E N
G L
A N
D )
IN D
U ST
R IA
L
R E
V O
L U
T IO
N
IN FO
R M
A T
IO N
R
E V
O L
U T
IO N
SU ST
A IN
A B
L E
D
E V
E L
O PM
E N
T
re co
gn is
ed a
s a
m an
ag em
en t t
oo l
Timeline
2 Million BC
7500 BC
5500 BC
1500’s
1750’s
1950’s
1970’s
Approximate Population
100 Thousand
4 Million
4 Million
425 Million
625 Million
2,555 Million
4,086 Million
Population growth and degradation of plants and animals is a theme throughout history that has lead to scarcity of natural resources, and forced humans to explore
innovative ways to survive which in turn has transformed human society structures (Curran & De Sherbinin 2004; Meadows, Meadows & Randers 1992).
Crisis Stimulus
Scarce wild resources in traditional hunting grounds
Population increase led to scarcity of food supplies in settlements
Agriculture led to increase in population in communities
Advanced agriculture, land ownership and concepts of wealth led to scarcity of land, energy & trees
Increased reliance on machines for production of food and energy sources
Computers led to the development of a global economy hastening natural resource use and strain on the earths systems
Population increase & accelerated resource use resulted in food & water shortages, global warming and damage to the earth systems
Response To Crisis
Migration (nomads moved further) and some began farming, planting crops and domesticating animals
Agriculture discovered
Advanced agricultural techniques developed
Coal and steam replaced trees as an energy source
Computer technology developed
Sustainability adopted as a management tool
Sustainable and renewable green energies. Limits to growth. Restore and protect the earths natural systems by re-establishing the value of nature in the consciousness of societies
Adapted from US Census Bureau (2005) and Frazier (2005)
The Human Natural World Relationship
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The next challenge to face humanity came through the increase in population in settlements.
Referred to as the agricultural revolution, this began in 5500BC, and progressed to the
development of advanced agriculture in England in the 1500s (Gottlieb, 1996). With the
progression of agriculture came disrespect for nature (Quinn, 1992; Wall, 1994). This period
saw the depletion of forests, an increase in population and a scarcity of land, energy, and
biological resources of value for human well being.
This crisis was resolved through the discovery of coal, which replaced trees as an energy
source and heralded in the industrial revolution in the 1750s. Industries developed from
mining and steam, which required a shift in production methods from hand methods to
machinery (Mebratu, 1998). New industries followed the discovery of the steam engine. A
shift away from a human-nature interaction to a reliance on machines for production was
common and science and technology were elevated in society. Innovation once again
overcame problems threatening human existence and the relationship with the natural world
changed dramatically. The domination of nature, wealth, individual status and power drove
progress with little consideration for the impact on the natural world (Mebratu, 1998).
The information revolution in the 1950s saw the development of the computer age and the
emergence of a global economy (Brent & Thompson, 1995). This brought with it greater
disparity between the rich and the poor, and hastened both industrial, manufacturing and
economic growth and consumerism in industrialised countries. People were elevated to
positions of affluence, encouraging their desire for commodities. Science, technology, and
globalisation hastened a depletion of the earth’s resources and the impact of global warming
was felt, which accelerated environmental degradation across the planet. The disconnection
of humans from the natural world was near complete, as nature became more distant and
inaccessible to most people who were now surrounded by the concrete structures of modern
cities (Scull 1999b). Nature was considered a commodity and humans were consuming the
planet’s resources at a faster rate than could be replaced.
The Human Natural World Relationship
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With humanity facing one of its most serious challenges, the concept of sustainable
development was conceived in the 1970s from this crisis, when the importance of
sustainability was recognised as a management tool at the 1972 United Nations Conference.
The following decade, in 1987, The World Commission on Environment and Development
(WCED), released a report titled ‘Our Common Future’, which defined a global view of
environmental sustainability that was adopted throughout the developed world (Mebratu,
1998). Before sustainable development was recognised as a management tool, sustainability
formed part of discussions in the 1960s on relevant technology to help underdeveloped
countries (DuBose, Frost, Chamaeau & Vanegas, 1995).
Modern societies, like our ancestors, are reliant on nature for survival. The early 21st century
will be recorded in history as a time when the contemporary world faced its most important
struggle. This is due to excessive consumption (Waggoner & Ausubel, 2002) and population
growth (Burnley, 2003), which has put pressure on the earth’s ability to sustain this level of
resource use (Cohen, 1995). While the 20th century recognised the need for a mandate for
governments to address human social failings, the 21st century has called for governments
and agencies to learn from the past and “to enact [without delay] government for the
environment” (Gleeson & Low, 2000, p. 25). Strong leadership in addressing environment
issues is needed from world governments and government institutions alike (Gleeson & Low,
2000). The opportunity to develop new sustainable technologies as well as the restoration
and protection of natural resources may go some way to address this latest threat.
2.3 ENVIRONMENTAL TIMELINE
An understanding of the past is essential in planning for conservation management to ensure
that destructive patterns evident in an earlier age are not repeated. To enhance this
understanding the reader is directed to the Environmental Timeline in Appendix A, which
documents significant environmental events in history from 1713 to 2007. The timeline does
not represent the beginning of environmental thought, because understanding of ecological
principles and concern for the environment have been raised throughout human history. For
The Human Natural World Relationship
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example in the fourth century BC, Plato referred to damage from soil erosion from grazing,
as “bones of a skeleton in a wasted body” (Wall, 1994, p. 3) and dismayed at rain falling on
the bare earth being wasted in run off to the sea. First century BC, naturalist, Roman poet
and author, Titus Lucretius Carus, referred to an “exhausted earth” brought about through soil
erosion from cultivation (Wall, 1994, p. 3).
The decision to commence the timeline from 1713 took into consideration the date when the
concept of sustainability first appeared in the scientific literature. Hans Carl von Carlowitz
introduced the expression in reference to sustainable forestry (Romeijn, 1996). The timeline
highlights significant events, such as the world wars, establishment of national parks,
environment theorists, and publications and political and social events that have shaped
conservation both in Australia and overseas. The reader is directed to the timeline for these
events. Not withstanding the importance of these events, the timeline shows two important
aspects relevant to this study, the first is evidence of the Human Natural World Relationship,
and the second is the diversity of views held by theorists and philosophers concerning
human-environment interactions. A review of these two topics is now presented in this
chapter.
2.3.1 Timeline: Human Natural World Relationship
The timeline represents a glimpse of the Human Natural World Relationship, which has
found expression through painting, art, literature, religion and activism. For instance, the
human-environment interaction was evident in early societies through their “religious attitude
of oneness with nature” (Wall 1994, p. 35), “where people lived in balance with their
environment, and economies were based on sharing instead of competitive exchange” (p. 20).
During the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the value of nature was evident in literature and
art (Sutton, Cazalet & Grey, 2001), while during the mid to late twentieth century it was
evident through active community groups and the human-environment theorists, which are
discussed later in this chapter under the heading ‘Timeline-Theorists and Philosophers’.
The Human Natural World Relationship
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The timeline showed concern for and appreciation of nature, as well as disconnection from
nature during certain periods in history. For instance, the agricultural revolution of the
sixteenth century brought with it the concept of wealth and accelerated the consumption of
resources, which Wall (1994) and Quinn (1992) consider led to the devaluing of nature and a
separation of man from nature. However, Shepard (1982) understood the separation to begin
earlier as a result of the domestication revolution. Others held different views as to when this
disconnection occurred, while some believed it to be with the establishment of the first cities
(Scull, 1999b). Human interaction with nature has been supportive and at other times
destructive. A brief description of some of the key influences documented in the timeline are
listed below, however the reader is directed to the timeline in Appendix A for further detail.
18th Century
The Industrial Revolution expanded rapidly in the latter part of the 18th Century, and saw the
re-emergence of the Human Natural World Relationship through the appearance of the nature
writers and artists in Europe and America (Sutton, Cazalet & Grey, 2001). Romanticists such
as William Blake and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Wall, 1994) gave nature a voice in a
time of rapid expansion and changing economies. The first of the human-environment
theorists considered in this work is Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1755), who contended that man
was good by nature, and referred to man as a Noble Savage when in his natural state, but
could be corrupted by civilisation and society. Rousseau’s work was translated by Cranston
in 1984. Scottish moral philosopher and political economist, Adam Smith published his
book, ‘The Theory of Moral Sentiments’, in 1759, which saw man as self interested and self
reliant. Smith also wrote ‘An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations’ in
1776, which provided the rationale for free trade and capitalism and paved the way for the
study of economics (Adam Smith Institute, 2007).
19th Century
During the 1800s, an awareness of the Human Natural World Relationship was evident
through publications by two German geographers. Carl Ritter wrote about the mutual
The Human Natural World Relationship
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relationship of humans to the earth in ‘The Science of the Earth in Relation to Nature and the
History of Mankind’, while Alexander Von Humboldt described the interdependence of
humans and nature in his work ‘Kosmos’ (Kilpinen, 2005). In 1854, Henry Thoreau in his
work ‘Walden’ (Library of Congress, 2005), articulated the idea that humans are part of
nature and that we function better when we are aware of this.
Evolutionary theorists Charles Darwin and Alfred Wallace presented their ideas on the
Theory of Natural Selection in 1858. The theory exposed a fresh view of the human-
environment interaction, which has had a considerable impact on religious thought. In 1863,
Thomas Huxley applied Darwin’s theory to man in his book ‘Evidence to Man’s Place in
Nature’ (Museum of Paleontology, 2005).
The following year George Perkins Marsh expressed concern for the human impact on the
environment in ‘Man and Nature’, which was the first major intellectual work on
conservation (Library of Congress, 2005). Through nature’s ability to enhance human
wellbeing, Fredrick Olmsted established in 1865, that there was a psychological need for
conservation (Library of Congress, 2005). The century closed with the founding of the Sierra
Club in the United States of America in 1892 by John Muir and colleagues. The club was set
up to protect wilderness, but accomplished far more, as it raised the environmental
consciousness and inspired conservation programs (Library of Congress, 2005).
20th Century
1940s-1960s
Concern for nature and human impact on the environment continued throughout this period.
Aldo Leopold’s ‘A Sand Country Almanac’ interpreted a living land that needed to be
respected (Wise, 2003), and expressed the interrelationship of man with the land. The book
was published in 1949, a year after his death. Leopold argued strongly for a Land Ethic,
which would protect the environment and minimise impact. GAIA Theory was proposed by
James Lovelock in the 1960s, which interpreted the planet as a self-evolving and self-
The Human Natural World Relationship
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regulating living system. Humans, as part of this system, and not separate from it, added
another dimension to the Human Natural World Relationship.
The view that the environment had an unlimited capacity to absorb pollutants was dispelled
in the release of ‘Silent Spring’ in 1962. The book by biologist, ecologist, and feminist,
Rachael Carson prompted a new era in environment activism. The same year ‘Our Synthetic
Environment’ by Murray Bookchin showed that the man-made environment led to disease
and ill health, through increased exposure to pollutants and chemicals in foods. While the
book exposed a shift in society from the domination of humans to the domination of nature
(Biehl, 1998), it also confirmed a change in the Human Natural World Relationship. The
following year a program was started called ‘The International Biological Program’. The
purpose of the program was to assess global environmental damage. The information
gathered from this study formed the foundations for science-based environmentalism
(International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999). Bookchin was also the founder
of Social Ecology, which supported the involvement of people in environmental solutions.
In 1968, Gareth Hardin published his thesis titled Tragedy of the Commons, where he
proposed that human self-interest would lead to the collapse of the natural resource base that
supports life (Hardin, 1968). The same year Paul Ehrlich published the ‘Population Bomb’,
which explored the connection between population, resource exploitation and their impact on
the environment (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999). The decade
concluded with the forming of Friends of the Earth, which gave people a voice in
conservation, and the first Human-Environment Conference was planned for 1972 by the
United Nations General Assembly (International Institute for Sustainable Development,
1999). The events of this period reflected the comprehension of a human-environment crisis
in the consciousness of both governments and society.
1970s
An awareness of the environmental crisis found expression through the Human Natural
World Relationship in the rapid expansion of environmental theorists during the 1970s. Peter
The Human Natural World Relationship
22
Singers book ‘Animal Rights’ legitimised rights given to non humans and drove a wedge in
anthropocentrism (Atkisson, 1989). Deep Ecology founded by Arne Naess, involved seeing
ourselves as part of the earth (Johnstone, 2002). Ecofeminism emerged to advocate a
reconnection with nature and the dismantling of hierarchical –patriarchal structures, which its
proponents believed contributed to the abuse of nature (Atkisson, 1989). The concept of
Sustainability and Sustainable Development was endorsed by scientists as an alternative to
expansionism during this period (Sutton, Cazalet & Grey, 2001), and Bioregionalism,
founded by Peter Borg, sought to promote ecological orientated values through counter
cultural movements (Alexander, 1996).
Disquiet over environmental abuse led to the formation of the environment group
Greenpeace, which began in Canada in 1971. A report about population growth prepared for
the Club of Rome (1972) titled ‘Limits of Growth’, and a publication by Barbara Ward and
Rene Dubos (1972) titled ‘Only One Earth’ exposed the extent of human impact on the earth
(Club of Rome & Meadows et al., 1972). Additionally, the view that a common concern for
the earth would allow man to create a common future was also expressed (International
Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999). This period concluded with a publication by J
Croomer called ‘Quest for a Sustainable Society’, which described a social order of people
that lived within the limits of its environment as a sustainable society (Sutton, Cazalet &
Grey, 2001).
1980s
Governments around the world could no longer ignore community concern and major
environment reports were released during this period. The first World Conservation Strategy
was released by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural
Resources (IUCN) in 1980 and defined sustainable development as maintaining essential
ecological processes and life support systems. Within two years, the United Nations had
published its ‘Charter for Nature’, which expressed the view that all forms of life are unique
and should be respected (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999).
The Human Natural World Relationship
23
Edward O Wilson one of the originators of Socio-biology, proposed the Biophilia Hypothesis
in 1984, which stated that humans have an affinity with nature ingrained in our gene pool
(Wilderdom, 2001). In 1987, Edward Abbey’s book ‘Monkey Wrench Gang’ inspired a new
generation of environmental activists, which included Earth First. The book contained a
serious message about protecting the American wilderness from industrial and commercial
forces (Nash, 1990). The Thatcher Government in the United Kingdom was one of the first
governments to respond to environmental issues with the release of a report in 1989 called
‘Blueprint for a Green Economy’. The report introduced the concept of Natural Capital
(Sutton, Cazalet & Grey, 2001), which will be discussed in more detail under the heading
‘Timeline: Theorists and Philosophers’.
1990s
During this period, pressure on governments to address the environmental crisis increased,
and the Human Natural World Relationship was evident in the concern of societies globally.
The voice for nature was most clear through environment and conservation groups. The
Fourth Congress on National Parks and Protected Areas “Parks for Life” was held in 1992
and raised the concern that the relationship between people and protected areas is often
ignored (IUCN, 2008). The congress recognised that people are dependent on areas for
survival and their lives are interwined with the natural world (McNeely & Millar, 1984;
McNeely, 1993). The submission of a major document in 1990 to the Federal Government
of Australia on Ecological Sustainable Development, helped to establish the terms of
reference for sustainability in Australia. The document was created by the Australian
Conservation Foundation, World Wide Fund for Nature, The Wilderness Society and
Greenpeace (Sutton, Cazalet & Grey, 2001). The following year the International Union for
Conservation of Nature now known as the World Conservation Union, together with the
United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) and the World Wide Fund for Nature
(WWF) published the second World Conservation Strategy titled ‘Caring for the Earth’. The
strategy built on the first strategy released in 1980, which set out a plan for a sustainable
society. Greenpeace released a report called ‘The Climate Timebomb’ in 1994, which drew
The Human Natural World Relationship
24
attention to severe, widespread climate change, and environmental disasters caused by global
warming.
The founding of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (UNCSD),
and the Earth Summit + 5 influenced future United Nations conferences, and established the
need for sustainable development (Vanclay, 2005). In 1992, the Kyoto Protocol to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was held in Japan to stabilise and reduce
greenhouse gases (International Institute for Sustainable Development, 1999). When the
nations convened, again in 1997 to set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the
Australian government, in contrast to other nations, argued for an arrangement that would
allow them to increase their emission limits instead of decreasing them.
Environmental theorists and philosophers were active and vocal during this period. Theodore
Roszak defined Ecopsychology in his book ‘Voice of the Earth’, and suggested that there
existed a relationship between personal and planetary wellbeing (International Community of
Ecopsychology, 2004). Another important contemporary philosopher in Ecotheology and the
study of the bond that humans have with the natural world is Thomas Berry. Berry wrote
‘The Great Work’ which explored the Human Natural World Relationship and its
implications for the survival of the earth’s systems as well as the impact on religious thought
(Berry, 1999). The decade closed with a publication by Paul Hawkins and Amory and
Hunter Lovins called ‘Natural Capitalism’. The publication showed that a change in world
economies is just as important as the change that took place during the industrial revolution.
This change is necessary and has already begun (Sutton, Cazalet & Grey, 2001).
21st Century
2001-2007
The beginning of the 21st century saw a focus on environment, business and politics. While
many countries have signed up to reduce greenhouse emissions, Australia’s reluctance to sign
the Kyoto Protocol, as well as environmental concern has brought community pressure to