Yes, but also no. In a very literal sense, human beings are animals, and our modification of the world is technically the same kind of thing as, like, a bird building a nest. But I think there is some utility in distinguishing between human activities and non-human activities. We are uniquely capable of altering the environment in ways that no other creature can.
Also, it depends on how you define the word “natural.” “Natural” and “man-made” are often used as antonyms, which would mean that humans are apart from nature.
While managing woods, etc. has some validity, we do it for us to be more convenient. Infestations due to dead wood and forest fires do have their natural order.
And “humans being separate from nature”: We do like to create our ideal environments, like beavers. Be it due to us having next to no fur or it being a widespread trait in mammals, who knows. But humans affecting every ecosystem with their machines and being everywhere should either not do that (like some tribes) or not being everywhere.
While i do think humans caring for nature is best done by not touching it, this is one thing humans can do for nature.
We’ve been doing this on the european continent. In the form of fish heads carrying the vaccine. Almost no rabies cases ever.
The notion that human beings are separate and apart from the natural world is colonialist nonsense.
Yes, but also no. In a very literal sense, human beings are animals, and our modification of the world is technically the same kind of thing as, like, a bird building a nest. But I think there is some utility in distinguishing between human activities and non-human activities. We are uniquely capable of altering the environment in ways that no other creature can.
Also, it depends on how you define the word “natural.” “Natural” and “man-made” are often used as antonyms, which would mean that humans are apart from nature.
Not sure if we are on the same page.
While managing woods, etc. has some validity, we do it for us to be more convenient. Infestations due to dead wood and forest fires do have their natural order.
And “humans being separate from nature”: We do like to create our ideal environments, like beavers. Be it due to us having next to no fur or it being a widespread trait in mammals, who knows. But humans affecting every ecosystem with their machines and being everywhere should either not do that (like some tribes) or not being everywhere.
Nature needs agency.