The Intertwined History of Humans and Nature: A Journey Towards Sustainable Development

The relationship between humans and the natural environment is a fundamental issue in human civilization. Over the course of long-term development, humans have gradually transitioned from relying on and utilizing nature to transforming and conquering it. The history of human civilization can be seen as the history of the evolving relationship between humans and the natural world. Throughout this historical process, a green consciousness that respects nature and emphasizes harmony with the ecological environment has gradually formed. Green consciousness initially existed in various forms within the wisdom of different ethnic groups worldwide, characterized by simplicity and spontaneity. Through reflection during the industrial civilization era, since the second half of the 20th century, green consciousness has become a global category within human spiritual civilization.

Starting from the 18th century, led by Western capitalist countries, humanity entered the era of industrial civilization. Capitalist industrial civilization, driven by the relentless pursuit of economic wealth growth and maximizing capital appreciation at all costs, has led to unlimited exploitation of natural resources through human production and consumption activities. The transformation and destruction of the natural world by humans have gradually reached a peak, and the relationship between humans and nature has increasingly fallen into a state of severe opposition. In the mid-19th century, the destruction and plunder of the natural world by capitalist industrial civilization began to raise concerns among some intellectuals. Engels warned in his work 'Dialectics of Nature': 'Do not excessively indulge in our human triumph over nature, and be wary of nature's retaliation against us.' Unfortunately, this wise judgment did not garner much attention at the time.

After the 1960s, ecological crises became increasingly severe globally. Public health incidents and natural disasters continued to occur. Scientific research estimates that global ecological deterioration is expanding at an alarming rate in terms of breadth and depth. Specific manifestations include the depletion of land resources, the destruction of forest resources, increasing water scarcity, severe air pollution, and rapid reduction in species numbers. In addition, new forms of pollution such as noise pollution, electromagnetic wave pollution, light pollution, heat pollution, and nuclear pollution continue to emerge. The harsh reality has forced intellectuals to re-examine the relationship between humans and nature, deeply criticize the concepts of industrial civilization, and seek new directions for human development. Scientists, medical professionals, lawyers, university students and faculty, and even homemakers have formed environmental organizations such as 'Friends of the Earth' and 'Friends of Nature,' raising the banner of green and proposing a series of new demands. For example, advocating for the protection of soil and water resources, purification of air and water sources, achieving non-toxic and non-polluting industries, and recycling waste and garbage; opposing excessive marine fishing and exploitation; opposing the killing of wildlife and the use of their fur and organs in clothing and medicine.

In 1972, the environmental organization, the Club of Rome, published a thought-provoking research report. Its central idea was that the development model of 'conquering nature' advocated by economic growth since the industrial revolution has resulted in humanity being sharply pitted against nature, and constantly facing retaliation from nature. This traditional industrialization path has led to global population growth, resource shortages, environmental pollution, and ecological destruction, ultimately putting humanity on an unsustainable path of development.

For the sake of humanity's future, countries should take effective measures to stabilize population size, protect natural resources, develop and utilize renewable resources, consciously change their values, and strive to explore a new path of harmonious development between humans and nature.