ABSTRACT
While health is a desirable condition for humans to achieve, it is increasing being used as a metaphor in conjunction with ecosystems. This paper argues that this “health” metaphor can be developed further, to state that the planet’s ecosystems work as an immune system, protecting its biotic community from disease/ illness. It is further argued that without realizing their interconnectedness within the planet’s ecosystems, humanity is increasingly straining this immune system, which is detrimental to the health of humans and ecosystems alike. The metaphor that the planet’s ecosystems are suffering an autoimmune disorder may have a place in helping humanity to realize its embeddedness within nature and to recognize the consequences of its actions.
