What role do humans play in nature?

Humanity’s role within nature has always been complicated. The human race holds the ability to give back to the earth and to the species that they coexist with. In some ways, humans have found methods, through technological advances and restoration, to improve upon nature and resources.

What is the relation between humans and nature?

As such, the human–nature relationship goes beyond the extent to which an individual believes or feels they are part of nature. It can also be understood as, and inclusive of, our adaptive synergy with nature as well as our longstanding actions and experiences that connect us to nature.

What makes human behaviour different from that of other primates?

Human behaviour goes beyond that seen in other animals regarding our capacity to co-operate with strangers; other primates are normally competitive between groups. Humans also organise highly complex and hierarchical collaborations to carry out large-scale projects.

How are humans different from other animals?

De Waal rightly points to the modest physical attributes of early humans compared to dangerous animal species that would prey upon them. However, humans have powerful compensating properties compared with other animals. We lack sharp claws but we can aim and hurl rocks.

Why do humans work well in groups?

Humans have the unique ability to organise and co-operate in large groups and have “a complex morality emphasising responsibility to others that is enforced through reputation and punishment”. Such co-operation has deep evolutionary roots and De Waal and others have been studying this in chimpanzees and bonobos, our closest living relatives.

How much of nature is being destroyed by humans?

It found that from the rainforests of central America to the Pacific Ocean, nature is being exploited and destroyed by humans on a scale never previously recorded. The analysis tracked global data on 20,811 populations of 4,392 vertebrate species.