ISSN:
1573-9309
Keywords:
sustainable development
;
carrying capacity
;
resource allocation
;
targeted compassion
;
charismatic megafauna
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Natural Sciences in General
,
Technology
Notes:
Abstract We are in the midst of a national, arguably global, debate about hunting and other means of controlling populations of deer and other animals that have greatly exceeded the carrying capacity of local and regional habitat. At one extreme are those who feel that, since humans have eliminated the large, natural predators, we are obligated to keep game species in balance with their environment. At the other extreme are those who value the lives of individual wild creatures and seek to prevent their destruction. Keeping in balance with nature is the essence of sustainability. This would permit the largest number of humans to occupy the planet over a long period of time. Properly managed sustainability should concomitantly make the planet more habitable for other species. The position taken in this discussion is that targeted compassion is inappropriate for sustainable use of the planet because it will not leave a habitable world for future generations.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005353712405
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