The Once And Future World: Nature As It Was, As It Is, As It Could Be

The Once And Future World: Nature As It Was, As It Is, As It Could Be by J.B. MacKinnon

This book takes the ecological perspective to the earth's history and the impact of humans. Populations are constantly changing. Many of the "past ideals" that we may look at were anomalies caused be previous actions. The Native Americans had thriving civilizations. However, by the time Europeans recorded history, many were decimated by disease. The land that was encountered was one that had been altered by humans, and then partially reclaimed by nature. 

Humans have been impacting the environment since long before recorded history. Humans have even had the chance to be among the initial inhabitants of new locations (such as areas exposed by retreating ice.) Sometimes humans cause great shocks to the system. Lions were once more widespread. Extra large mammals have been eliminated in much of the world. Even in the last centuries, the presence of other predators has greatly decreased in areas with human populations.

Climate change, biodiversity and other key concerns often fail to take the big picture ecological approach. There is a focus on fossil fuel carbon emissions. However, there is a failure to look at the big picture. There are numerous stories of human intervention causing problems and necessitating further human intervention.  Often this has been a case of introducing species. Then other species may be needed help reduce he population. Then others and so on. Environmental manipulation to counter global warming can face similar consequences. We can't just isolate a single variable and hope the environment responds as we intend. We also need to consider the multiple levels of ecological response. 

Carbon taxes can be beneficial when they simply make energy more expensive. However, when the money is used to subsidize alternate energy sources, they are likely kicking the can down the road. This sources will have further ecological impact. They also encourage additional energy use without looking at ways to improve the overall ecology. There is likely not a simple solution to climate change.