As the most dominant force among species on the earth, humans typically consider themselves to be above nature or superior to nature and all of its components. Any action a human partakes in is either working towards benefiting themselves or other humans. However, humans are also the only species that are very cognizant of their impact on the environment and all ecosystems and species in the environment. Mankind is trying to survive like any other species, but because it has become so immensely successful humans have been able to dedicate time to ensuring the survival of other species as well.
Still, though, there is a mindset in some humans that because they are the only species so hyper-aware of their surroundings that they are superior to all other creatures or that humans have been placed on the earth for some divine purpose, with all other species working to help them. This is a negative mindset to have, especially because if every part of nature is just seen as some resource that can be used incessantly by mankind none of nature will be left for humans or any other species to use. This is why humans need to reconnect with nature.
Reconnecting with nature to a certain point would humble humans and help to conserve the earth. However, too much leveling down into nature would not be beneficial. Humans need to have a kinder relationship with the planet, but completely eliminating any benefit from nature or trying to retrograde into a past human lifestyle would simply not work. Too many people disregard the environment anyways. Being told to live or act a certain way so drastically different from how most people live would only make people want to disregard any conservation efforts. What needs to happen is a change in mindset.
People need to consider how they can interact with nature, still deriving some benefit from it, without completely ravaging and destroying the planet. Part of that can come from super simple actions, such as recycling. Recycling is so easy and too many people do not even pay mind to it at all or they do not think that it is worth doing because it is such a small action. Small actions can still have an impact, though, especially if millions of people are doing that small act. Humans also need to begin considering themselves as a fellow species to all other species on the planet. Humans would not want their habitats chopped down and destroyed, so why should they be doing that to other species?
Another aspect to consider is the ecosystem services provided by nature. With the destruction of nature comes a lesser availability of those services. Without pollination of plants by insects such as bees, plants would be unable to produce lots of the fruiting bodies that humans as a species constantly consume. The ecosystem also provides a free degradation of decaying organic matter and materials, water to drink, living space, nutrients, food sources, and many other services. Without these essential services, humans would not be able to function as well as they currently are. So, nature should be conserved so that those resources can be ensured for use by future generations.
Perhaps in the future mankind will begin to gently lower themselves back into the gentle caress of nature, thinking of themselves as just another species inhabiting that earth. With that day and mindset comes a better earth for both humans and all other species.
