| Abstrakt: |
This article focuses on humankind's changing role in the community of life. Humans have related in multiple ways to the Earth's systems; some of these ways promise a sustainable balance with them, while others are destructive. Experience could teach one which are which. Some of the trends visible in recent history resist the dominant pattern of destruction. One of these is increasing knowledge of the workings of natural systems, and the advances of the science of ecology. This is not simply growth in information, but hardwon understanding. If the society is to be in a sustainable dynamic relationship with that which supports it, every decision one makes must be arrived at in respect to the ecosystem. The dominant trend of technology in the modern age is undoubtedly toward destruction of landscape, vegetation, biodiversity, and often human health as well. Biotechnology presents a bewildering variety of potential dangers. One should not trust those who design technology to find a solution for every environmental problem. |
