UNLIMITED

The Christian Science Monitor

Is culture missing from conservation? Scientists take cues from indigenous peoples.

When you hear the word “ecosystem,” what do you imagine? Maybe you picture a grizzly bear pawing at salmon breaching a frigid stream, or a kaleidoscopic seascape of fish and coral. But you may have missed one critical element of the natural world: humans.

But not everyone draws such a clear line between humans and the natural world. Many indigenous peoples, for instance, view humans as vital components of thriving ecosystems. Drawing from that approach, some researchers suggest that a “biocultural” strategy – one that bridges science, community, and culture – might produce better long-term conservation and sustainability outcomes. But first, some experts say, we may need to rethink humanity’s relationship with nature.

Conservationists have long relied on public education to influence legislation and to encourage individuals to make more sustainable lifestyle choices. That approach hinges on the hope that properly informing people will prompt them to change

Does humanity stop at the forest’s edge?Empowerment through Conservation

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from The Christian Science Monitor

The Christian Science Monitor3 min read
Yes, Chalamet can sing. But can ‘A Complete Unknown’ capture Bob Dylan?
Biopics about music icons occupy a long and occasionally honorable place in the movies. Most recently Maria Callas, Elton John, Freddie Mercury, Leonard Bernstein, Amy Winehouse, and Elvis Presley got the treatment. Jeremy Allen White is set to play
The Christian Science Monitor3 min read
Gondolas Solve A Last-mile Problem In Mexico City, And The Fixer-uppers Of Scotland
The Cablebús system, inaugurated in 2021, is moving working-class people closer to subways and buses linked to the city center, slashing commute times. Three lines of electric gondolas cover 16 miles and transport 80,000 people every day – around twi
The Christian Science Monitor5 min readAmerican Government
Cathy McMorris Rodgers Q&A: How Faith Shaped Her Path In Congress
Twenty years ago, Cathy McMorris Rodgers of eastern Washington became the 200th woman elected to Congress. She has since risen to become chair of the House Republican Conference from 2012 to 2018 and the first female chair of the powerful Energy and

Related Books & Audiobooks