Ecology and Our Relationship with the Environment

Ecology is the scientific study of the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment (including us humans, yes, we are organisms supposedly highly evolved ones). We are becoming increasingly aware of how our actions, and/or lack thereof, impact our environment. For decades, human beings have been so engrossed in the idea of building and expanding their cities that they have isolated themselves from nature. Some cities have buildings so tall, one has to walk several blocks down the street just to get a glimpse of the sun! Now, in the 21^st Century, more of us “evolved” organisms are starting to say no just a little louder than in previous years

Caring for the Environment

We do have the 1960’s and 70’s to thank for laying a foundation for a less polluted environment, and establishing seeds of a new, conscientious way of living. In 1970, the first Earth Day was established and the modern environmental movement was born. Today, we are saying “NO” to harmful factories and automobiles, no to dangerous pesticides on our crops, no to eating vegetables from other countries that still utilize these banned pesticides, no to industrial wastes killing off life in our large bodies of water, and no to injecting our livestock with unnecessary hormones. We are saying “YES” to organic solutions for both pest control and in growing our crops. Yes to collecting and saving organic seeds, yes to carrying our own reusable bags to the grocery store, yes to archaeological investigations before developers destroy our hidden past… Yes to humane treatment of animals, yes to free-range or larger cages for chickens, yes to locally and organically grown food, and so on. … In some instances, we are not only saying “yes” but demanding healthier alternatives for our home, our food, and our natural surroundings. The word ecology is derived from two Greek words that mean the study of the home, for “house” and -, the “study of.” This term applies to all living things. Wildlife and insects have their own particular homes in nature which are invariably tied to our own, as well as to our communities. Encroaching development has displaced many an animal; how many times have you seen a coyote walking through a neighborhood?

Conscientious Living

Conscientious living then, is to consider all living creatures around us and respect their right to their own natural environment. It means we need to take responsibility for our well-being and at the same time, be aware of how we interact with other species and care about their well-being. We are all entwined in the ecology of this planet, each action affecting another person, habitat, and/or animal. There are many organic solutions to keep our home from becoming home to insects and wildlife In taking the right precautions and in continuing to demand healthier alternatives for all life forms, not just our own, we can live alongside one another, species by species, maybe not in perfect harmony but as close to it as humanly possible.

References for Nature Balance:

University of California Agricultural & Natural Resources, UC Riverside, IPM Online. Farb, Peter. Ecology. New York: Time-Life Books, 1970. Print.