Summary Of Island Civilization By Robert Frazier Nash

In the essay Island Civilization: A Vision for Human Occupancy of Earth , Robert Frazier Nash discusses the past and present human impact on the environment and offers solutions for the distant fourth millennium. The majority of this piece is dedicated to the author stating his opinion in regards to civilization expanding beyond its sustainable limits. The author makes it clear that he believes that humans have failed the natural environment and are in the process of eliminating all traces of wilderness from the planet. Nash points out facts that strengthen his argument, and quotes famous theologians on their similar views on environmental issues and policies. The combination of these facts and quotes validates the author’s opinion. Once the author made his view clear, he goes on to display possible scenarios of how human existence can change within the next millennium. He proposed four possible scenarios. The first scenario that Nash discusses, the “wasteland scenario” depicts

The proposed Island Civilization way of life would require all humans, a notoriously stubborn race, to completely alter their existence. One can see by exclusively looking at the proposed population requirement that this plan could never be carried out. Mankind reproduces at a rate of ten thousand lives an hour, and shows no sign of slowing down. With a current population near seven billion, this stipulation is all but achievable. To add to the inoperable nature of this way of life, the idea of having a completely self-sufficient community with a population numbering in the millions in such a constricted area is highly unrealistic. There is simply not enough area on earth that can provide all the resources essential to human existence within such a small area restriction. This proposed solution portrays Earth as utopian society that is clearly