The Journey To Self-worth

From liveonpurpose.info

"I think some of your confusion stem from your belief that nature and man-made environments are enemies, that they can't live harmoniously together. Human have always, and always will, need structures built to protect them from nature. So people like you, that care how we go about doing that when concerning our home planet are most needed. There are two ways of conserving natural areas, one is by stopping development all together, and the other is making sure that the development goes where it should and is built in such a way as to use the land most efficiently and healthfully to the people and the earth. I believe the former is an honorable goal but people need a place to live and grow also.

I will assume you got into architecture/urban planning because it holds your interest, so instead of feeling guilty for being a part of "destroying" some nature, be a voice in changing how we build to help preserve more open land and create biodiversity. Nature will create diversity and rich ecotones through "destruction", for example elephants tearing through forests or beavers cutting down trees and building dams.

You also may be getting too wrapped up by many of the terms like "treehugger", and "green", or possibly influenced by people that think any development (and developers) is/are evil. But the truth is they are just tools, and how you use them is up to you. When you are designing just do what you feel is right in your heart and what seems intelligent to you. If you want to help regain the old glory of the earth (for new times of course) you are going into one of the best positions for that. Keep at it.

I have to plug one of my hero's as he may be an inspiration for you and hopefully show you that man and nature can build together harmoniously. I HIGHLY suggest reading Ecocities and Ecocity Berkeley, both by Richard Register. There are also a number of great references to other books in the fields listed in Ecocities. Good luck." -response to my post on treehugger forum by Clutchlove