Available online 28 March 2015
Rachel Carson's environmental ethic – a guide for global systems decision making
Abstract
The
technological advances of the twentieth century drive the two most
critical challenges of the twenty-first century. Climate change results
directly from fossil fuel combustion that dominates the energy
production system globally since the 1900's. Synthetic chemicals with
carcinogenic, mutagenic and endocrine disrupting properties contaminate
the biosphere. Ten thousand years of physical and biological stability
of the planet shows signs of destabilizing. Yet, the credibility of
scientists has come under attack, and science has become politicized and
isolated from the mainstream of public influence.
Rachel
Carson, one of the most influential thought leaders of the twentieth
century, offers a role model for addressing this critical problem.
Through her gifted writing she shifted public opinion to understand the
interconnectedness of all living systems. She spoke out as a scientist
and an advocate in defense of protecting the natural world. Her
recommendations based on sound science helped to shape the initial
environmental protections that evolved through the nineteen seventies.
She is a role model for the application of science in public policy. The
acute environmental crises we face cross political and geographic
divisions, and involve placing constraints on unfettered multi-national
corporate interests whose only guide is success in the marketplace.
Rachel
Carson's work synthesized the principles that support precaution in
man-made intrusions into the living world. Her graphic illustrations of
the interconnectedness of all living systems showed that we cannot harm
the environment without in turn harming ourselves. Natural laws of
biology, physics and chemistry affect all countries, regardless of
political persuasion, religion, social structure or priorities. Rachel
Carson's environmental ethic provides a guide for decision-making that
draws from our common humanity, and our common place in the global
ecosystem as animals. Rachel Carson's environmental ethic has four
parts: Live in harmony with nature; Preserve and learn from the natural
places of the world; Minimize the impact of man-made chemicals on
natural systems; and Consider the implications of all human actions on
the global web of life. Governing our multiple forms of civilization
according to the common laws of nature that drive life on earth can help
to cross the barriers that divide us. Rachel Carson's environmental
ethic can enlighten the debate over intergenerational and inter-cultural
justice because the choices we face are a matter of ethics, not
technology.
Keywords
- Rachel Carson;
- Environmental ethic;
- Science in public policy;
- Public awareness;
- Intergenerational justice;
- Interconnectedness
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