Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
Basic Concepts of Ecology
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
…you may recall from last week…
…don’t get me wrong. Some of my best friends are…
… then we went on to discuss the the “tyranny of text” and the
moral order, etc., etc.
Tim Weiskel - 6
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
Basic Concepts of Ecology
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Tim Weiskel - 9
Tim Weiskel - 10
Tim Weiskel - 11
Tim Weiskel - 12
"Civilizations exist by
geological consent, subject to
change without notice."
Will Durant
Tim Weiskel - 16
Checking our the neighborhood…
Checking our the neighborhood…
Where did our nearest space ‘neighbor’ come from?
The moon was “thrown” into orbit as debris from a
major meteor impact with the earth -- a major
celestial collision.
Although “big
events” like the
cosmic
encounter that
produced the
moon are very
rare, other earth
collisions with
space debris
are quite
frequent,
especially in the
‘asteroid belt.’
Encounters are ‘inevitable’...
The role of
comets in the
history of the
earth is still
being
discovered.
Some suggest
that life itself is
extraterrestrial in
origin….
What are the
ethical
implications, if
any, of this?
Some cosmic events have had a big
impact
Even if it turns out that life originated endogenously on
Earth and only on Earth, we know that the history of lifeforms has been dramatically altered by cosmic events in
the past.
The “Asteroid
Hypothesis” is
currently the
leading
explanation
offered for the
“extinction
event”
represented by
the KT
Boundary in the
geological
record.
http://paleobiology.si.edu/bla
stPast/
“Extinction events” are dramatic cases on cosmic
intrusions into the history of life-forms on Earth, but
smaller “events have occurred as well...
How might cosmic events have shaped life’s more
recent history on Earth?
Some scientists
are suggesting that
cosmic events may
well have directly
affected the
evolution of the
human species. *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/new
sid_1272000/1272368.stm
What if “we”
(modern humans)
emerged as a
result of a cosmic
event?
Whatever their role
in Earth’s past,
asteroids and
meteors appear to be
an ongoing “fact of
life” on Earth.
There is no
“escaping” them. *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_
600000/600172.stm
In fact there is a call
for new defenses to
cope with them. *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_
930000/930564.stm
This is not just a
“theoretical” problem.
This is not just a
“theoretical” problem.
Consider what happened in
June 1908….
In 1908 Earth experienced
the largest explosion in
“recorded history”…
In 1908 Earth experienced
the largest explosion in
“recorded history”…
…. The trouble was that it
wasn’t recorded by many
people at all.
Tunguska, Russia on 30
June 1908 -- (an artist’s
impression).
There are now
recent scientific
expeditions to
investigate what
happened on
June 30, 1908. *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/162880
6.stm
Recent Events
The Don Quixote
Mission.
So, we should have a look around…
… and check out the neighborhood.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3313/01.html
See what we’ve learned already….
"Civilizations exist by
geological consent, subject to
change without notice."
Will Durant
(with ENVR E-120 amendments)
See what we’ve learned already….
"Civilizations exist by
geological consent, subject to
change without notice."
& cosmic
Will Durant
(with ENVR E-120 amendments)
See what we’ve learned already….
"Civilizations exist by
geological consent, subject to
change without notice."
& cosmic
on short
Will Durant
(with ENVR E-120 amendments)
See what we’ve learned already….
Species
"Civilizations exist by
geological consent, subject to
change without notice."
& cosmic
on short
Will Durant
(with ENVR E-120 amendments)
See what we’ve learned already….
Local and global ecosystems
Species
"Civilizations exist by
geological consent, subject to
change without notice."
& cosmic
on short
Will Durant
(with ENVR E-120 amendments)
A general
truth…
Throughout the observable universe, the
whole system is run on just 2 fundamental
sources of energy:
1) “cosmic” power (“left-over” from the Big
Bang and super nova explosions –
geothermal, nuclear, cosmic/kinetic force);
and
1a) current solar throughput power.
What could the human role be in the cosmic
order?
To understand this we must remember that...
Environmental Ethics must cope with
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - the present to 109 - 1010 BP
Environmental Ethics must cope with
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - the present to 109 - 1010 BP
• What kinds of events occur in this time frame?
Environmental Ethics must cope with
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - the present to 109 - 1010 BP
• What kinds of events occur in this time frame?
• Over what spatial ranges do these conditions apply?
Environmental Ethics must cope with
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - the present to 109 - 1010 BP
• What kinds of events occur in this time frame?
• Over what spatial ranges do these conditions apply?
• What -- if anything -- is the human significance of
events that occur at cosmic time and spatial scales?
Environmental Ethics must cope with
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - the present to 109 - 1010 BP
• What kinds of events occur in this time frame?
• Over what spatial ranges do these conditions apply?
• What -- if anything -- is the human significance of
events that occur at cosmic time and spatial scales?
• Do humans have any importance beyond very short
temporal scales?
We have other cosmic
“issues”
But what of other cosmic “issues,” closer to home
in both time and space?
We have other cosmic
“issues”
But what of other cosmic “issues,” closer to home
in both time and space?
What about our nearest neighbors -- beyond the
moon -- upon which all life on Earth’s surface
depends?
What are “sun
eruptions”? Why
should we care?
*
rtsp://rm.bbc.net.uk/news/olmedia/
290000/video/_293638_sun_erupti
on_vi.rm
The sun most
certainly affects
climate -- in ways
we do not fully
understand.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3251481.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3515788.stm
**
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/5371162.stm
**
Tim Weiskel - 61
The sun’s “weather” also affects us quite directly in
terms of how we communicate and “protect”
ourselves on earth.
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - 109 - 1010 BP
Geologic time scales - present - 109 BP
As with “cosmic” time scales and events, so too, we must
consider “geological time” scales and events in developing an
effective environmental ethic.
What are “geological events?”
On Earth, stuff happens.
What are “geological events?”
On Earth, stuff happens.
Volcanoes happen…
What are “geological events?”
On Earth, stuff happens.
Volcanoes happen…
Volcanoes often happen
near inhabited areas, but
have wide-spread and
sometimes global
impacts. *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_697000/697
264.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/avdb/news/world/video/117000/bb/117319_16x9_bb.asx
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4972366.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/628515.stm
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/megavolcano/
Distant and Invisible Volcanoes...
Tsumanis - giant
waves or “walls of
water” -- can be
triggered by
submarine
volcanoes or earth
slides provoked by
volcanoes.
Some of these have
received recent
attention. *
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/5194316.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1513342.stm
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - 109 - 1010 BP
Geologic time scales - present - 109 BP
Bioevolutionary time scales - present - 109 BP
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - 109 - 1010 BP
Geologic time scales - present - 109 BP
Bioevolutionary time scales - present - 109 BP
Hominid time scales - present - 106 BP
In “homonid time scales” (millions of years), what has accounted
for the evolution of various species ?
Tim Weiskel - 78
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - 109 - 1010 BP
Geologic time scales - present - 109 BP
Bioevolutionary time scales - present - 109 BP
Hominid time scales - present - 106 BP
Cultural-Evolutionary time scales - 105
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - 109 - 1010 BP
Geologic time scales - present - 109 BP
Bioevolutionary time scales - present - 109 BP
Hominid time scales - present - 106 BP
Cultural-Evolutionary time scales - 105
Civilization time scales - 104
Vastly Different Scales of Time & Space
Cosmic time scales - 109 - 1010 BP
Geologic time scales - present - 109 BP
Bioevolutionary time scales - present - 109 BP
Hominid time scales - present - 106 BP
Cultural-Evolutionary time scales - 105
Civilization time scales - 104
Historical time scales - 10 - 103
With all the shocks
the earth system
has experienced,
what could a title
like “Planetary
Overload”
possibly mean? Is
the planet
overloaded? In
what sense?
We live in an open
energy, closed
material system,
governed by the
second law of
thermodynamics.
What is our
species role in this
system?
Throughput Energy Flow Can Be
Measured
Water Circulation Can be Measured
Carbon Circulation (and flow of other
elements) Can Be Measured as well…
Both “stocks” and “flows” can be measured…
It turns out that life has been a “geological
force” on Earth for far longer than humans
have been part of the biosphere -- the full
“committee of life forms.” By capturing
and expending solar energy, millions of
life-forms have influenced and “regulated”
the “stocks” and “flows” of materials in
Earth’s closed system.
It turns out that life has been a “geological
force” on Earth for far longer than humans
have been part of the biosphere -- the full
“committee of life forms.” By capturing
and expending solar energy, millions of
life-forms have influenced and “regulated”
the “stocks” and “flows” of materials in
Earth’s closed system.
We live in a highly improbable
atmosphere made possible by everything
from “farting ants” to anaerobic bacteria
alive for eons before we emerged as a
species.
It turns out that life has been a “geological
force” on Earth for far longer than humans
have been part of the biosphere -- the full
“committee of life forms.” By capturing
and expending solar energy, millions of
life-forms have influenced and “regulated”
the “stocks” and “flows” of materials in
Earth’s closed system.
We live in a highly improbable
atmosphere made possible by everything
from “farting ants” to anaerobic bacteria
alive for eons before we emerged as a
species.
In one respect, however, things are
quite different now that humans have
expanded to such massive numbers.
Things aren’t as they have always been. There is “something new
under the sun” … Human population growth….
But there is broad range of alternatives in the future.
Thus, the future is hard to predict in detail
Sometimes Humans behave as a “Geological Force”
in obvious and immediate ways…
It is reasonable to talk about not just
life, but human life as a geological force
with dramatic immediate impact.
Sometimes Humans behave as a “Geological Force”
in obvious and immediate ways…
It is reasonable to talk about not just
life, but human life as a geological force
with dramatic immediate impact.
Certainly the impact of humans is
visible now from space….
Sometimes Humans behave as a “Geological Force”
in obvious and immediate ways…
It is reasonable to talk about not just
life, but human life as a geological force
with dramatic immediate impact.
Certainly the impact of humans is
visible now from space….
And even when our behavior generates
emissions that are “invisible” (CO2),
these emissions may yet change Earth’s
delicate balances required for life as we
know it.
For example, ecologists tell us that by oxidizing vast amounts of terrestrial
carbon over the last 250 years, humans have changed the thermoconductivity of the atmosphere. The resulting increase in surface
temperature has lead to the wide scale melting of circum-polar permafrost,
with the potential for triggering a run-away release of previously trapped
methane. Thus, collectively, humankind may have pushed the Earth
system beyond a “tipping point” toward accelerating instability.
We are still assessing the
ecological impact of the Viet
Nam war and the war in
Kuwait over a decade ago, and
the news is not encouraging.
We are still assessing the
ecological impact of the Viet
Nam war and the war in
Kuwait over a decade ago, and
the news is not encouraging.
The question is simply:
Can we survive our own skills
of killing and destroying the
life support systems we need to
survive?
We are still assessing the
ecological impact of the Viet
Nam war and the war in
Kuwait over a decade ago, and
the news is not encouraging.
The question is simply:
Can we survive our own skills
of killing and destroying the
life support systems we need to
survive?
Answer: No, not without a whole
new understanding of our role in
the changing ecosystem.
Developing a new environmental ethic of
sustainability is our last, best chance of survival...
We are still assessing the
ecological impact of the Viet
Nam war and the war in
Kuwait over a decade ago, and
the news is not encouraging.
The question is simply:
Can we survive our own skills
of killing and destroying the
life support systems we need to
survive?
Answer: No, not without a whole
new understanding of our role in
the changing ecosystem.
Three Big Assumptions….
In the 19th century we learned that Earth is an “old”
and stable place. It has evolved over 4.5 billion
years and changes to it come gradually (soils
erode, continents drift…. )
Tim Weiskel - 99
Three Big Assumptions….
In the 19th century we learned that Earth is an “old”
and stable place. It has evolved over 4.5 billion
years and changes to it come gradually (soils
erode, continents drift…. )
Earth is generally a benign environment for humans.
After all we evolved here. We belong here.
Tim Weiskel - 100
Three Big Assumptions….
In the 19th century we learned that Earth is an “old”
and stable place. It has evolved over 4.5 billion
years and changes to it come gradually (soils
erode, continents drift…. )
Earth is generally a benign environment for humans.
After all we evolved here. We belong here.
The world is “supra-human” – way beyond human
interference, too vast and too enormous for any
humans to have an impact upon it. We live “on”
Earth. It is out there and independent of us.
Tim Weiskel - 101
Three Big Assumptions….ALL Wrong?
In the 19th century we learned that Earth is an “old”
and stable place. It has evolved over 4.5 billion
years and changes to it come gradually (soils
erode, continents drift…. )
Earth is generally a benign environment for humans.
After all we evolved here. We belong here.
The world is “supra-human” – way beyond human
interference, too vast and too enormous for any
humans to have an impact upon it. We live “on”
Earth. It is out there and independent of us.
Tim Weiskel - 102
Tim Weiskel - 103
McGuire, Bill
2012 "Climate change will shake the Earth," The
Guardian - U.K., (26 February 2012 14.59 EST Sunday).
Tim Weiskel - 104
McGuire, Bill
2012 "Climate change will shake the Earth," The
Guardian - U.K., (26 February 2012 14.59 EST Sunday).
Tim Weiskel - 105
Mozart’s Prayer
Soave sia il vento,
tranquila sia l’onda,..
May the wind be gentle,
may the wave be calm,…
Mozart’s Prayer
Souave sia il vento,
tranquila sia l’onda,
ed ogni elemento
benigno risponda
ai nostri desir.
May the wind be gentle,
may the wave be calm,
and may every element
respond benignly
to our wishes.
May the wind be gentle,
may the wave be calm,
May the wind be gentle,
may the wave be calm,
and may every element
respond benignly
to our wishes.
We now know our place
in this vast, cold and
expanding universe…
We now know our place
in this vast, cold and
expanding universe…
What should be our role?
We now know our place
in this vast, cold and
expanding universe…
What should be our role?
How should we behave here and now, if
we want the human enterprise to survive?
We now know our place
in this vast, cold and
expanding universe…
What should be our role?
How should we behave here and now, if
we want the human enterprise to survive?
Within consequentialist ethics it is understood that we
are all -- individually and collectively -- responsible
for the foreseeable consequences of our own actions.
Rules for how we ought to act are therefore
understood to be derived from the foreseeable
consequences of our behavioral choices.
Within consequentialist ethics it is understood that we
are all -- individually and collectively -- responsible
for the foreseeable consequences of our own actions.
Rules for how we ought to act are therefore
understood to be derived from the foreseeable
consequences of our behavioral choices.
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012
Environmental Ethics and Land Management
http://courses.dce.harvard.edu/~envre120
In this course we will need to ground all moral
propositions in the context of ...
Basic Concepts of Ecology
The Moral Implications of
“The Subversive, Conservative Science”
Timothy C. Weiskel
12 September 2012
Harvard Extension School
Fall Semester 2012