Discuss the relationships that exist between energy capture, production, populations and exchange among Hunter-gatherers, agricultural and industrial societies. The genealogy is obvious: from the supposed foundations of the world, hunters have been the source of energy generation for the rest if the inhabitants of the planets. They act as gatherers harnessing the animal and plant resources that fill the planet.
We need to quickly explore the fact that the primary source of energy is the Sun; this is the sole source of light energy that is converted by photosynthetic plants [most plants] into chemical energy available in food found in seeds and fruits; this is a product of light and dark chemical reactions under enzymatic activity within the plants. The result is the simplest form of energy, glucose, converted to or built into other forms of energy particularly protein, carbohydrate, fats and oils obtainable from plant sources.
This is the first terrestrial point of energy harnessed into the other forms of energy on the planet. This energy is then transferred from plants to animals along an organized food chain first to herbivores, then carnivores and omnivores. The hunter-gatherers have form the close allies of the primary and secondary source of energy by virtue of their occupation, and represent an inevitable group of energy suppliers to the rest of man; in fact, this is reason history holds that the development of the world and civilization of man began with rural activities which revolve around hunting, and gatherings fruits.
The Essay on Hunter Gatherer to Agriculture
During the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic Age many things were lost and gained from the conversion of the hunter-gatherer life style to the agricultural life style. During the Paleolithic and Mesolithic Age it was mostly hunter-gatherers where people were nomadic and traveled from place to place to hunt for their food. The Neolithic changed into an agricultural way of life where they ...
This energy chain has witnessed expansion. The plant grows, and there is competition for space, light and water. Animals occupy different parts of the planets because of differing response to nature and environmental factors. This expansible work of flora and fauna is attributable to natural selection and the biology of adaptation. In view of this fact, man has adapted to the flowing environmental changes.
The population of man is supported by the availability of food, space and relationships; this is solely dependent on the source of energy, both plants and animals. With the apparent abundance of this to the hunter-gatherer, man’s population surged creating new employees in the business; these employees also create new opportunities for improved hunting-gathering or better still and organized occupation relating to plants and animals in the territory of ‘agriculture’.
The agricultural produce then becomes sufficient for the immediate family groups. As the family unit grows, more workers are recruited and the produce becomes abundant. This abundance cannot waste; it is the raw material for industrial activities which has its foundation in the Industrial Revolution of the twentieth century. What this implies is that man has become more ‘industrious’ in the capture of energy, and conversion to other usable ad pleasurable means through the process of production.
And what is the essence of this: man survives and his population is sustained and may even expand. Therefore, the interaction which begins with the hunter-gatherer with plants and animals as sources of energy is organized into agriculture. This organization engages capital, land and other factors of production for the purpose of production such that the produce is the raw material available for industrial action. The products of the industries get to the populace, who also enjoy the produce from the farms!
