Environmental Problems and the grand old Theory of ‘ Human Nature ’

While the notion of ‘human nature’ has been devaluated from the status of ‘grand theory’ to a marginal anthropological debate, I argue that it deserves to be resurrected in order to comprehend some of the explanatory gaps inherent in other theories. Industrialization signifies a turning point in human history, which in combination with certain ‘universal’ human traits led to recent environmental problems. Such universals include, but are not limited to, the propensity for technological innovation, the desire to elevate one’s status, and preoccupation with social justice. Journal of Ecological Anthropology 62 Vol. 16 No. 1 2013 While beliefs and values espoused by different peoples in the course of human history were quite successful in fending off political or ideological movements, they are presently unable—to put it quite simply—to say no to McDonaldization. How come the proclaimed nature-friendly Hinduists and Buddhists engage in exactly the same practices as followers of other religions? How come the communist state ideologies end up having many of the same ills as capitalist economies? Despite the differences in their religious, cultural or social values or ideologies, Ukrainian, Zimbabwean, Brazilian, Japanese, Turkish, or Dutch citizens do not seem to be prepared to give up their personal possessions and comforts (such as cars) for the sake of (nonmaterialist) religious or ideological ideals. We are left with the staggering question of how global consumption patterns became possible, considering the supposed diversity and resilience of ideologies, religions and cultures, and the supposed respect for nature of the traditional societies. What is the mechanism that drives this unprecedented spread of globalization? CAusEs oF ENviRoNmENtAL