Your World View and Our Planet

I’m glad I wrote my previous post which made me feel like a total capitalist once I had posted it. I’m not really sure what I am, but it serves as a good example of how I, and we, can all change for the better. Furthermore, it can serve as an example of what a few days of landscape ecology related (and the ethics and philosophy that surround it) education can do to one’s world view.

Much of what we think and do is at some point affected by our overall world view. That is, your philosophy, ethic, and work ethic. It can be changed. Before that, we have to accept that there are ways in which we can improve the way we see our surrounding landscapes. Think past the ’stage of life’ you’re in; whether you are family or career oriented, or take the bus enough times a week so that people can shut up already. Ignoring the fact that we are not thinking enough in terms of our surrounding ecosystems is egocentric and anthropocentric (that humans are the central concern).

Ecocentric is where we should be aiming more often, considering that we are much more intertwined in our respective locations than we think we are.

Looking at my position as a resource consultant, what I do is inherently anthropocentric, so far. Our general and most used definition of sustainability is essentially human oriented; it’s about developing so that we have something to invest in for the future. Ecocentrism and humanism can be mixed (I’m happy with making a living managing land and resource use), but ecological integrity is sidelined at our own peril. How we view our freedom to emit and consume is bound to change whether you like it or not. That is what it boils down to. Your grandchildren and their children will know what went wrong when they’re living with 95 million Bangladeshi refugees – and trying to get them to take taste tests to determine if they prefer Pepsi or Coke.

Which leads me to a challenge to brilliant marketers out there: Are you sure you’re promoting the right business? I can only wish we had as many clever minds trying to sell crappy products as we had trying to sell the importance of our land and general ethic.

My first ecological restoration course went swimmingly and I highly recommend, even for general interest and knowledge, that you find the time to attend something similar. It’s never too late, and new ideas and information are appearing all the time. For the next few weeks I will be continuing discussions on landscape ecology as it refers to you and me.

Update your world view, have a look:

• Eco restoration primer, some context: http://www.ser.org/content/ecological_restoration_primer.asp

…ecological restoration aims to initiate or facilitate the resumption of those processes which will return the ecosystem to its intended trajectory.

When the desired trajectory is realized, the ecosystem under manipulation may no longer require external assistance to ensure its future health and integrity, in which case restoration can be considered complete.

• U. Wisconsin Arboretum: http://uwarboretum.org/foa/

• Info, resources: http://www.ecologicalrestoration.info/firstpage.html

• Ontario and Info: http://www.serontario.org/

Feel free to email me and/or comment if you’d like some help finding resources and events for your own location or region.