week 11
week 11 blog
This week, we engaged in a debate with the theme “Future humans, looking back on our early-mid 21st Century design considerations and actions, will thank us rather than condemn us.”
As the opposing side, I would like to elaborate on my viewpoint:
Firstly, we need to acknowledge that human activities cannot be completely separated from the natural world; human activities are a part of the natural society. This implies that if we want to protect our environment, we need the collective efforts of all humanity.
The need for the collective efforts of all humanity arises because the natural environment is not compartmentalized like human society, divided by factors such as regions, races, or countries. Nature operates as a whole, possessing its own set of cyclic systems. Any localized change has the potential to trigger a “butterfly effect.” For instance, in August 2023, Japan began discharging nuclear wastewater into the Pacific. Although it occurred within Japan’s political maritime territory, it will eventually impact the entire world through ocean currents. Therefore, regional environmental efforts are ultimately short-term and local, incapable of fundamentally changing the entire natural ecosystem. Hence, we must mobilize all of humanity.
However, we must realize that human activities do not always adhere to natural laws. The planet’s resources are shrouded in a layer of “political” factors. What were once interconnected oceanic and terrestrial lands have been divided by national borders and maritime zones, not following natural laws but determined by human political activities. Simultaneously, the sense of belonging for humans largely stems from identity, race, and nationality, with few people extending their sense of belonging to nature. Political, racial, and identity factors are often the initial focus for individuals, leading to conflicts and even wars. In these conflicts, environmental destruction is often overlooked, seemingly only garnering attention during peaceful times when people redirect their focus to environmental protection.
From this, we can see that there exists a certain contradiction between human society and the rules of the natural environment. Human society introduces more complex factors, and different factions within humanity may become independent or even form oppositions and conflicts due to various political factors. In contrast, the natural environment operates according to the laws of nature, with all its inhabitants adhering to these laws, contributing to the overall functioning of the natural system.
Despite the presence of numerous non-governmental organizations and scientists dedicating their efforts to environmental conservation, the fundamental contradictions remain unresolved. Political maneuvering, racial and identity conflicts persist, hindering comprehensive and systematic efforts to improve the natural environment. If we do not address these fundamental issues and prioritize solving environmental problems over political concerns, how long can we afford to wait for Earth’s environment to change?
Therefore, I believe that only by seriously addressing the genuine contradictions between human society and the natural environment from now on, and fundamentally resolving these issues, will future generations consider us deserving of appreciation.
