Abstract
The connection between ecology and human culture highlights a basic conflict between various cultural adaptations and universal biological limitations. The way that human societies respond to ecological principles, such as resource constraints, energy fluxes, and ecosystem interconnectedness, varies greatly depending on their belief systems, economic systems, and historical development. The present study investigated this dynamic interaction and made the case that an integrated strategy that recognises the uniqueness of human cultural frameworks as well as the universality of ecological principles is necessary for environmental sustainability. Using case studies ranging from industrialised environmental legislation to indigenous resource management, the paper illustrated how many communities use unique worldviews, customs, and technological advancements to navigate ecological boundaries. A biocultural perspective that unites ecological science and cultural relativism is promoted in place of reductionist methods that either overly heighten the idea that scientific knowledge and methods are applicable and valid across all cultures and contexts (universality of science) or ignore local knowledge. The paper’s conclusive argument is that in order to effectively address global environmental crises, such as biodiversity loss and climate change, solutions must be both ecologically sound and culturally sensitive. Through the integration of multidisciplinary perspectives from sustainability studies, environmental humanities, and anthropology, this research advanced a more sophisticated comprehension of humanity’s role in (and obligation to) nature.
Keywords: Human Culture, Universality, Sustainability, Biocultural Diversity, Environmental Adaptation.
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21127938
Ikeagwuchi Ikechukwu Ukwuoma
Centre for Critical Thinking, Teaching and Learning
Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2265-0296
Benignus Chinonso Eze (PhD)
Department of Philosophy, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
chukwunomso.eze18@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8099-2756
Stella Chinweudo Ekwueme (PhD)
Department of Religion and Cultural Studies
University of Nigeria, Nsukka
https://orcid.org/0009-0005-7066-2856