ABSTRACT
In recognizing the moral obligation to humanity and to the animals to ensure the long-term survival of biological diverse spaces, this chapter argues that protecting biodiversity goes to the heart of what Daniel Quinn refers to as the ‘law of limited competition’ (Quinn 1995). Starting with fire and then agriculture, technical innovation made possible by language and culture allowed our species to monopolize ecological space. Sustainability will be predicated first and foremost on internalizing at the level of both culture and economy, both individual and collective restraint. This chapter explores two main themes missing from the targets of life on land and sea that are more systemic in approaching long-term biodiversity. These themes include: (a) socio-cultural approaches to restoration to develop lasting relationship with local biospheres and (b) embracing the philosophy of the ‘complete act’.
