Summary and Response - "Island Civilization"

Seth Jones

Dr. Taylor

English 101

8/20/12

Summary and Response to Roderick Frasier Nash’s “Island Civilization:

A Vision for Human Occupancy of Earth in the Fourth Millennium”

            In his essay in the magazine Environmental History, Roderick Frasier Nash reviews the past interaction of human beings and the wild, highlights the major issue of a shrinking wilderness and offers radical options to preserve and expand the remaining wilderness. This essay begins with a look into the history of the idea of a millennium and how its significance has grown.  Nash continues by defining wilderness as “A state of mind, a perception, rather than a geographical reality, and prior to the advent of herding and agriculture about ten thousand years before the present, it didn’t exist.” (p. 372).  He speaks of how humans have struggled for years to attempt to eliminate the wilderness and redesign the Earth as they see fit. He suggests that this continuing, though decreasing, attitude will lead to a self-destruct to the human species and many others.

            As the essay progresses, Nash points out the fact that enlightenment in regards to the ever-shrinking wilderness has begun to reach the people, but it may be too little, too late. He lists several theoretical plans which could be implemented and, at the least, reduce the human effect on the wild. Finally, he reveals his own radical plan to save the wilderness. His plan, named Island Civilization, would keep humans in dense bunches approximately 100 miles wide, with methods to reduce their footprint on Earth and allow the wilderness to take over around them. Nash comments that “The beauty of Island Civilization is that it permits humans to fulfill their evolutionary potential without compromising or eliminating the opportunity of other species doing the same.” He finishes by emphasizing the Earth’s need for a caring and respectful life form that will protect it.

            I found this essay to be quite an interesting read. It really puts the human effect on the Earth into perspective. While I have never been much of an environmentalist, I have noticed that forests and ecosystems have been rapidly devoured by the human hunger for expansion. Seeing more acreage covered in pavement or farm land than trees leaves me curious as to how long it can continue. It seems cutting down so many trees would eventually begin to severely impact oxygen production on the planet, considering there used to be abundant forests supplying much smaller populations with clean air. Now there are small, condensed forests having to supply clean air to a massive population. It doesn’t take much insight to see that this won’t work much longer. It’s a trend that just cannot continue.

            While I enjoy the wilderness and want to preserve and expand it, I find Nash’s plan to be a bit excessive. While his plan does appear to have great potential, it also has too great of a negative impact on humans themselves to be feasible. I have always been a big believer in personal rights. Forcing humans to live in densely packed cities is a great violation of personal rights. Nobody can and should be able to force people into cities. I for one don’t like the idea of living in a city, much less being forced into one. I prefer to live out of the city; close to restaurants and shopping areas, but also to the wilderness. As an avid offroad enthusiast, I am all for preservation of the surrounding land, as long as it keeps the designated trails open and functioning. However, I still want to be able to live in the wilderness if I choose. I believe many of the world’s problems, including a shrinking wilderness, stem from the overpopulation of the human  race.  The people should be educated of this increasing problem as the Earth  reaches its carrying capacity. Greater measures should be taken to avoid unintentional pregnancy and families should be sure they are ready for a baby when they decide. Also, members of society who use pregnancy and children as an excuse to get benefits such as welfare should have their welfare revoked and children taken away. I do not want to take any drastic measures where they are not warranted, but something must be done. If we want to save the wilderness and the planet, we have to start with ourselves.