Summary: 

The question of whether or not human beings are a part of nature rather than  separate from it characterizes much of the theories and practices around conservation,  economic development and what attempts to be sustainable development. It is clear  that economic growth and development have had a severe impact on the natural world, but it is not always exactly clear what the natural world is or whether it has a purpose  other than just to be whatever it is.

For many observers, nature’s purpose is to service human wants and needs.This has led to various attempts to manage development sustainably, and to protect and conserve  habitats  and  species  other  than  those  that  are  immediately  our  own.  In protecting or conserving nature, human beings have frequently been displaced and dominant economic arrangements have gone largely unchallenged.

However, as always, there are differences of opinion, conflicts of values and interests, and the exercise of power that ignores the need for dialogue.

Homework: 

Review Chapter 3 and preview Chapter 4.