ABSTRACT
Ecological crises, such as the human-induced sixth mass extinction event our planet is currently experiencing, highlight the importance of transforming the human/nature relationship for the planet and all species. One way to facilitate this transformation is through better consideration of the ethical basis of regulatory strategies, yet the value basis of policy decisions in the international regulation of nature conservation is often entirely overlooked. The conventional positions on global bioethics align with the dominant discourse in conservation which assigns value to nature for anthropocentric reasons such as human well-being, and the preservation of natural resources for human use. Values arising from global bioethics such as co-operation, solidarity, justice, and equity are undoubtedly important, but this essay argues that they do not go far enough. An anthropocentric focus alone will not sufficiently transform the human/nature relationship in order to address the current global biodiversity crisis. This essay argues that policy makers must consider a greater variety of ethical viewpoints, including from environmental ethics, which highlight the intrinsic value of nature, and consider issues such as our moral duties toward other species and planetary processes.
