Land Ethics: A Case Study Aldo Leopold, Tragedy of the Commons, & The Lorax

Ethics What are they? Standards of right/wrong Statements of what humans ought to do in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society, fairness, or specific virtues. Enjoined with virtues of honesty, compassion, and loyalty.

Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic Yale University US Forest Service Urged that nature should be included in our ethical concerns “A Sand County Almanac” (pub. 1949) Formed beliefs of the modern Environmental Wisdom worldview

Leopold’s Quotes “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively the land…In short a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to a plain member and citizen of it.”

Leopold’s Quotes “We abuse land because we view it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

Tragedy of the Commons Garrett Hardin (1968) Biologist Overuse of common property or free-access resources Examples Clean air Open ocean/fish Wildlife species Publicly owned land (NP, NF, WR) Common User quotes “If I don’t use it, someone else will!” “The little I use doesn’t matter…and these resources are renewable.”

Tragedy of the Commons Solutions??? 1. Using commons at rates below their sustainable yield Reducing population Limiting access 2. Convert common land/resources to private ownership Private owners may protect their resources Not practical for global resources (air, open ocean) 3. Set up rules to regulate/share access

The Lorax (1971) Children’s literature book by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) One of many books by Dr. Suess that spoke to environmental or political issues Main characters The Once-ler The Lorax

The Lorax (1971) Homework Response: Sustainability and the Lorax How do events in the Lorax mirror the concepts we’ve learned so far in Ch 1 & 2? Include as many applicable terms/concepts as possible. Explain the connection between the film and your objectives 1 page max Due Friday 9/12/08