Nature : Everything changed in their future, and the group has to adapt. It's like nature has become tired of human activity, and she sometimes does her best to try to get rid of them. In the novel's present, sea levels have risen and transformed the coastlines, oil pipelines have poisoned many freshwater sources, and warmer temperatures combined with earthquakes have changed the landscape and the weather of the world. Nonetheless, respect is given by the Natives everywhere in the book, such at when you learn that the Indian reserves are the only place with drinkable water, because they took care of their sea beds.