Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
disturbances confront them. These include the potentially serious con-
sequences for ecosystem functionality of a changing climate.
This understanding of ecosystems as being complex, dynamic and
vulnerable to external events, coupled with recognition that prediction
cannot be relied on to inform decision-making on the likely effects of
proposed actions, points to the need for a cautious approach to govern-
ing human activities. This should be adopted not just at the micro-level
of environmental regulation, but, more importantly, at the macro-level
of policy formation itself. This is not a caution based on an assessment of
risk in particular circumstances, but one that entails broader notions of
preferring options that favour non-use or under-exploitation of resour-
ces and, where acting is deemed to be appropriate, preparing develop-
mental programmes that are least likely to increase stress on ecosystems
(to the extent that we can assess what consequences our actions might
have).
The radically altered conception of nature that stems from develop-
ments in ecological science invites re
ection on how we see ourselves
in relation to it, how we should value nature and the reasons for holding
those values. It also makes necessary a reappraisal of ethical positions
(and of laws whose contents re
ect them) that are founded on a view
of humanity as a species apart from the natural world, on con
dence in
our ability to know how ecosystems work and to address any environ-
mental problems we encounter through technological
xes, and on a
valuation of the environment primarily as a repository of resources for
our use.
The debate on how we should value nature in ethical literature has
considered whether intrinsic value can be found in non-human nature
irrespective of its worth to humanity. I argue in
Section 2.5
that this debate,
with its reliance on patterns of reasoning that are far removed from the
ways by which people determine what is important to them and why,
has detracted from the contribution that environmental ethics might make
to stimulating the development of effective structures for environmental
protection. A better approach would be to look at the challenges that
current ecological thinking presents to historically derived conceptions
of humankind
'
s place in the world, and to examine what values should
ow from a new appreciation of our position as one component amongst
many in biotic communities that owe their existence and ongoing viability
to the maintenance of supportive natural systems. I suggest that this should
lead to the formation of ethical positions that require that we seek not to
undermine either the ecological processes from which we derive bene
t
