Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac introduces the concept of a “land ethic” which Leopold defines as a change in relationship between humans and the land—a transition from dominator to member—and the cultivation of a positive, symbiotic partnership (240). Currently, the relationship between humans and the land leans on the side of parasitic. Humans are leaching off of the natural resources of the land in a way that is not sustainable nor respectful, and are continuously causing irreversible destruction to an already damaged world. The parasitic nature of humankind’s actions is especially prevalent with the rise of urbanization and urban sprawl.
As urban centers continue to grow, rural lands near the outskirts of cities are encroached by infrastructure …show more content…
This involves the conversion of open space into built-up, developed land over time”. While urban sprawl appears harmless due to its domestic aesthetic—the vision of cars and suburban houses lining the streets, with neighbors greeting each other in the morning and children running to catch the school bus—the reality behind this dream is much grimmer. What is not shown in the building plans of these suburban dreams are the numbers of wildlife and people who call this rural land home being suddenly uprooted, not to mention the physical landscape itself being destroyed and picked apart to make room for pavement and …show more content…
First, it should be noted that urbanization is not completely negative. While the megacities in China can take an extreme toll on the environment, specifically causing an increase in pollution levels, the high-density population means that less land is being used and also gives opportunities for energy optimization (Seto, “What Should”). Additionally, Alain Bertaud, urban planner at the NYU Stern Urbanization Project, states: “Urbanization in China is unavoidable and it is desirable. There’s no way to get people out of poverty without urbanization. The question is really whether they do it well or not” (Roxburgh, “Endless Cities”). In other words, the urbanization movement is real and happening; it is beneficial economically and has the potential to become beneficial environmentally, as long as thought and care is put into urban planning. Therefore, it is pertinent that the concept of a land ethic becomes widely known and implemented to encourage sustainability and conservation that
As urban centers continue to grow, rural lands near the outskirts of cities are encroached by infrastructure …show more content…
This involves the conversion of open space into built-up, developed land over time”. While urban sprawl appears harmless due to its domestic aesthetic—the vision of cars and suburban houses lining the streets, with neighbors greeting each other in the morning and children running to catch the school bus—the reality behind this dream is much grimmer. What is not shown in the building plans of these suburban dreams are the numbers of wildlife and people who call this rural land home being suddenly uprooted, not to mention the physical landscape itself being destroyed and picked apart to make room for pavement and …show more content…
First, it should be noted that urbanization is not completely negative. While the megacities in China can take an extreme toll on the environment, specifically causing an increase in pollution levels, the high-density population means that less land is being used and also gives opportunities for energy optimization (Seto, “What Should”). Additionally, Alain Bertaud, urban planner at the NYU Stern Urbanization Project, states: “Urbanization in China is unavoidable and it is desirable. There’s no way to get people out of poverty without urbanization. The question is really whether they do it well or not” (Roxburgh, “Endless Cities”). In other words, the urbanization movement is real and happening; it is beneficial economically and has the potential to become beneficial environmentally, as long as thought and care is put into urban planning. Therefore, it is pertinent that the concept of a land ethic becomes widely known and implemented to encourage sustainability and conservation that