Human-Nature Relations: The Unwanted Filibuster

Abstract

Human–nature relations encompass many of the age-old questions about our existence, place, and time. This chapter explores some of these notions and offers insight into the question “why protect nature?”, the Gaia theory, and linkages from a historical and economical viewpoint between the Global North and the Global South. Arguments in regard to moral and utilitarian viewpoints explore nature conservation with respect to ecocentrism versus anthropocentrism. Gaian ideology is defined and used as a premise to tie sustainability and human responsibility to human–nature and human–human relations. Example research interplays between the Global North and the Global South as two subsystems of human settlement. We utilize Africa as an example of the Global South subsystem and the global economy as an indicator for differentiation. In addition, the objectives, i.e., a recap, of the book and synopsis of the individual chapters are presented.