The acid test of humankind’s relationship to natural systems is the degree to which ecological damage caused by humans is repaired by humans. Technology and science are available, so the remaining stimulus needed for implementation of ecological restoration is the ethical responsibility to do so. Ecological restoration can be regarded as enlightened self-interest for humankind since it increases both natural capital and ecosystem services. However, well-designed ecological restoration projects should have a major ethical component since the future of non-human life forms on Earth requires more than self-interest. Although the field of science has provided various rationales for ecological restoration, ethical issues associated with such activities must also be considered. If, as seems likely, human society and natural systems are co-evolving, restoration of damaged ecosystems will improve both ecological and human health. The term ‘ecosocietal restoration’ emphasizes this close relationship. However, if ecological restoration considers only human needs and does not emphasize ecological integrity, human-dominated ecosystems could become the norm. Such domination is already marked but the relationship could easily worsen. This article lists seven major ethical issues in ecological restoration. This list is not encyclopedic but illustrative. Finally, there are five questions that human society must address that require robust scientific information to make a sound ethical judgment.
Ethical issues in ecological restoration
Published 2003 in Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics
ABSTRACT
PUBLICATION RECORD
- Publication year
2003
- Venue
Ethics in Science and Environmental Politics
- Publication date
2003-06-01
- Fields of study
Philosophy, Economics, Environmental Science
- Identifiers
- External record
- Source metadata
Semantic Scholar
CITATION MAP
EXTRACTION MAP
CLAIMS
CONCEPTS
- co-evolving human society and natural systems
The coupled development of human social systems and ecological systems over time.
Aliases: co-evolution of society and nature
- ecological restoration
The practice of repairing damaged ecosystems so that their ecological functions and condition are improved.
Aliases: restoration
- ecosocietal restoration
A term for restoration that highlights the linked condition of ecosystems and human society.
Aliases: eco-societal restoration
- enlightened self-interest
A rationale for restoration in which human benefits from healthier natural systems justify action.
- ethical issues in ecological restoration
The moral questions and value conflicts that arise when planning or carrying out ecological restoration.
Aliases: ethical issues
- human health
The physical and mental well-being of people, used here as an outcome related to ecosystem condition.
- non-human life forms
Plant, animal, and other living organisms other than humans that are part of the ecosystems under discussion.
Aliases: nonhuman life, non-human organisms
- robust scientific information
Reliable scientific evidence needed to support difficult judgments about restoration-related questions.
Aliases: scientific information
- sound ethical judgment
A well-founded moral decision about what should be done in ecological restoration.
Aliases: ethical judgment
REFERENCES
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Showing 1-17 of 17 citing papers · Page 1 of 1