ABSTRACT
Human civilization is standing at the crossroads where rapid advances in technology, on one hand, has not only greatly improved the quality of life in respect of safety, security and physical well-being but on the other hand, has resulted in a sharp increase in lifestyle diseases like mental illnesses, raising concerns on whether the perceived notions of comfort and security are effective parameters for determining quality of life. Partially, it can be attributed to the unprecedented technological advances, which is resulting in rapid degradation and destruction of natural habitats. In May 2019, the Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) voted in favour of designating a new geological epoch – the Anthropocene, which marks the beginning of significant human impact of the planet’s geology and ecosystems. Majority of these impacts are detrimental in nature, gravely endangering the future of the planet, and consequently, our own. To counter this, some recent technological advances are being directed towards mitigating threats to nature like climate change, global warming, loss of biodiversity and pollution, which have a positive intent but limited impact. Moreover, research has shown that using technology to mimic natural processes or environments, or ‘technological nature’ as we may call it, is not fully capable of ‘replacing’ or ‘substituting’ ‘real’ nature, as we are still scratching the surface of complex and often intertwined relationships within natural ecosystems, and our understanding of human beings’ intangible connections to natural surroundings is still a work in progress. It’s observed that even today, the livelihoods pertaining to primary sectors like agriculture and those directly dependent upon natural ecosystems/resources like pastoralism, cultivation and collection of medicinal plants etc., despite their low remunerative capacities, provide a better quality of life for people engaged in them, not only in terms of physical and mental health but also as a better social support system through more cohesive and close-knit communities. This chapter analyses the values in nature-based livelihoods that ensure human well-being and proposes a system for integrating these into other economic sectors.
