Were ancient societies as concerned about the environment as we are today? Did they take care of the environment better than we do? Did they also contribute to the destruction of the environment as we do today?
I believe that it depends on the ancient society in question as to whether they were as concerned about the environment as modern societies are today. From what I have been told and have learned about my ancestors, I know that, though not considered ancient, the American Indians were respectful of the environment because it was what sustained them through providing the food, water, and shelter that they needed for survival. I think most ancient societies shared the same respect and fear of the environment that the American Indians did, for the very same reasons.
Ancient societies did contribute to the destruction of the environment, but nowhere near on the same scale that we have. Even the smallest acts, such as fishing, hunting, or bathing in streams alters the balance of the ecosystems already in place; so in that respect, ancient societies did contribute to pollution and environmental destruction in a small way. There are numerous endangered species and many species that no longer exist due to excessive hunting done by ancient societies for survival which have also served to damage the environment.
We are perhaps more aware of the damage that we have done and continue to do to the environment because of such factors as increased understanding of the effect our actions, behaviors, and creations have on the environment, such as global warming and pollution, to name a few. Most of the environmental damage has been perpetrated since the industrialization age. Truly, ourselves, our parents, our grandparents, and in some cases great-grandparents are responsible for the majority of the environmental issues that we face today. If we hope to leave the world a little better for our children, the responsibility to clean up our act, change our behaviors, and change the laws that govern industry actions falls on our shoulders…and those of our children and grandchildren. We have done more damage to the environment in the last century, than all the centuries before combined.
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