THINK Soapbox: Natural Space

When thinking about natural space, the concept immediately evokes images of greenery and picturesque landscapes. In fact, a search online will quickly flood your screen with just that – lakes, mountains, and endless rows of trees. But in reality, there’s more to natural space than green. In Issue 45, THINK seeks to unveil this elusive concept for what it really represents – a space for living things to coexist. This broadens what we understand by natural space to include everything from the far reaches of outer space to the space within our bodies.

With such a broad definition, what would the opposite of natural space be? Unnatural space? The Western definition of natural space gives us a clue; it is defined as a space untouched by humans. But aren’t humans natural too? This definition draws a line between humans and the rest of life on Earth, leaving us isolated from other beings. In truth, it is our sense of superiority that leads us to isolate ourselves. We forget that our bodies are made of the same material as everything else on this Earth.

Unappealing as it is, this Western definition tells a harsh truth: Humans tend to disturb the living space of other lifeforms. Nowadays, our built-up areas are almost too claustrophobic even for us. It doesn’t have to be this way. What if we widened our communities to welcome other living things? Could we restore some of our planet’s natural space just by caring more?

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Ta' Qali, MFCC, Attard, Malta