The Environmental Solution
The Environmental Solution
Throughout history, mankind has had differing ideas on how to treat the environment. This differing opinion can be seen both within a single culture and time period, and between different cultures and time periods. In today's society, this idea is more prevalent than ever, we see battles over where to dump wastes, how to reduce their production, and also how and if to reuse them. This recent interest in the environment at large has also spawned various national organizations and committees whose purpose is to influence the way people act and think about the apparent problem. Though no one seems to have a perfect solution to the environmental problems facing the world today, it seems that there must be something to be done about this growing issue.
Over the course of history different cultures have had differing opinions with regard to the way the environment should be treated and used. An example of a culture that deeply values the environment and all of nature is the Native Americans. This society has a rich culture and religious background that includes the worship of the spirits and gods of nature, seasons, weather, and animals. They believe that these spirits and gods watch over them and bring them good fortune in the form of plentiful harvests and good weather, and thus treat the earth, including all animals, plants, and other aspects of nature, with due respect and consideration at all times. Chief Seattle tells of this relationship in his statement, "The air is precious to the red man
What is man without the beasts
Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth"(602). He writes this in a letter to President Franklin Pierce in regards to his views of the "white man's" treatment of the land and environment. The early Americans he speaks of in his letter had a differing opinion of the environment all together. Until recently Americans have used the land and all of its resources until they are...
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