MEVE 017: Unit 13 - Environment in Ancient and Modern Societies

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 UNIT 13: ENVIRONMENT IN ANCIENT AND MODERN SOCIETIES

13.0 Introduction

This unit discusses how both ancient and modern societies have interacted with the environment. It explains how early civilizations respected and depended on nature, and how today's societies face complex environmental problems due to industrial growth, migration, and globalization. It also talks about the importance of indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and the need for policies and actions to achieve environmental justice.

13.1 Objective

The main goals of this unit are to:

  • Understand how ancient societies used and valued the environment
  • Learn about the environmental practices of Greek, Roman, and Indian civilizations
  • Explore the concept of patenting traditional knowledge
  • Understand the importance of biodiversity
  • Study the challenges caused by transnational migration and environmental justice
  • Know about policies and actions taken to protect the environment

13.2 Role of Environment in Ancient Societies

Ancient civilizations had a deep respect for nature. They lived closely with forests, rivers, and mountains and used resources wisely.

13.2.1 Greek Societies

In ancient Greece, philosophers like Plato and Aristotle spoke about the importance of living in harmony with nature. They believed that human well-being depended on a clean and balanced environment. The Greeks also built cities with good planning, keeping in mind natural features like wind direction and water flow.

13.2.2 Roman Societies

The Romans were skilled in building infrastructure such as aqueducts, roads, and sewage systems. They understood the importance of clean water, air, and sanitation. However, they also began to exploit forests and land for expansion, which eventually caused environmental degradation.

13.2.3 Indian Societies

In ancient India, nature was seen as sacred. Rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, trees like the Peepal, and animals like cows were respected. Texts like the Vedas, Upanishads, and Puranas promoted the idea of living in balance with nature. Practices like organic farming, water harvesting, and forest conservation were common in traditional Indian society.

13.3 Patenting of Indigenous Knowledge

Indigenous knowledge refers to traditional skills and practices related to agriculture, medicine, and nature conservation, developed by local communities over centuries. Sometimes, companies from rich countries try to patent (claim ownership of) this knowledge and make profits without giving credit to the communities. This is called biopiracy. To protect traditional knowledge, it is important to recognize the rights of local people and stop unfair patenting.

13.4 Biodiversity

Biodiversity means the variety of plants, animals, and microorganisms found on Earth. It is essential for maintaining balance in nature and supporting life. Forests, oceans, and wetlands are rich in biodiversity. When species become extinct due to deforestation, pollution, or climate change, ecosystems become weaker. Conserving biodiversity helps in protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable development.

13.5 Issues Related to Transnational Migration and Environmental Justice

Transnational migration happens when people move from one country to another, often because of poverty, conflict, or environmental problems. This can create pressure on natural resources and increase pollution in the host countries. At the same time, migrants often suffer from poor living conditions and health problems. Environmental justice means making sure that everyone—regardless of income, race, or nationality—gets equal protection from environmental harm and has equal access to clean air, water, and land.

13.6 Policy and Action

To solve environmental problems, strong policies and laws are needed. Governments, civil society, and international organizations must work together. Policies should protect indigenous knowledge, promote biodiversity, and reduce pollution. Laws like the Biological Diversity Act in India and global efforts like the Paris Agreement on climate change are examples of such actions. People must also be made aware so that they can participate in protecting the environment.

13.7 Let Us Sum Up

Ancient societies respected nature and lived in harmony with it, while modern societies face challenges due to overuse of natural resources. Indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and fair environmental policies are key to creating a sustainable and just future. To achieve environmental justice, we must protect the environment and ensure that every person, regardless of background, enjoys a healthy and safe life.

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