At root the problem is that we have a limited understanding of ourselves. For example, when we look at nature we see animal and plant life, but at the same time we are animals and plants. We consider what these things mean for us, but we are not impartial observers. Our own needs and desires influence how we view nature.
We also view nature in isolation. We see one species of animal or plant living in isolation from other species and we think this is normal or natural. But nature is not static; it is constantly changing. Species interact with each other and change over time. This process is called evolution.
The relationship between humans and nature has been changing for millennia. The early humans lived in close physical and social relationships with their environment. They used all parts ofnature to meet their needs: they hunted with bows and arrows, gathered food in the forest, cooked over an open fire, and slept under the stars. As societies developed, humans began to