Ecorealist Manifesto Chapter Summary

Planet Earth is an unbelievably intricate and delicate network of interconnected systems that has slowly developed over the last 4.5 billion years or so. From the aftermath of the Big Bang this planet arose as a mass of energy and elements. From that newly born mass of energy and elements evolved structured, dynamic systems containing three states of matter, solids, liquids, and gases. The evolution of this planet continued to unfold over billions of years in such a unique way that eventually conditions emerged with the ability to foster life. Everything is connected to everything. From the largest animals, such as whales, and elephants to the smallest microorganisms like bacteria, all life on Earth has a common ancestor. Some how our species …show more content…
Changing attitudes are a primary component in achieving a sustainable future, one in which nature can run its course without human intervention. Gregg Easterbrook discusses a similar future in his The Ecorealist Manifesto: “…the long-term purview of nature might be combined with the short-term insights of the genus Homo in ways that allow people, machines, and nature to work together for each other’s mutual benefit” (The Ecorealist Manifesto, P. 1). For the Earth to retain its balance, it is important that we not overstep our bounds as a species. This requires a universal effort to re-evaluate our relationship with nature and make adjustments as needed. After thousands of years of societal evolution, we find ourselves at the peak of technology and pollution. We are already seeing the effects of our industrial ways through the extinction of species, the melting of glaciers, and the destruction of the landscape. As we continue to disturb the world’s natural systems we are recognizing a rippling of consequences. Our recognition of these effects suggests that our role in nature is far more influential than it should be. Therefore, it is necessary that we make major changes and that we make them