history of canadian ecosystem and human beliefs

critical thinking

the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it

seeing the world through different lenses, intentional and thoughtful efforts

judge the quality of thinking

understand blindspots in our knowledge, intellectual standards

geological changes over time

nature is dynamic:

shifting continents, rising/falling mountains, species evolution

short term climatic shifts

all major forces in shaping plants and animals

climate

the average weather conditions over a period of time, usually 30 years

dynamic

origins of canadian nature

glacier retreat shaped landscapes and created things like the great lakes

historic lake agassiz left fertile soil

life reentered canada post glaciers via beringia, the south and glacial plains

key refugia was the coasts and mountain peaks

succession

a series of changes in vegetation as a result of shifts in environment or the properties of organisms themselves → leads to different subregions and diversity

influenced by disturbances

pioneers shape landscape for more complex species

human impacts on landscape

humans migrated into ice free areas

activities began to alter the landscape

in part with natural changes have influenced canada’s landscape

vegetative zones of canada

canadian shield, interior lowlands, mountain belts, eastern deciduous forests, coastal climates, etc

transcendentalism

philosophical movement that developed in the US in early 1800s as a response to industrialization → emerson, thoreau

divinity lies in humans and nature and are not separate, truth can be experienced from nature

humans and nature inherently good, but society and its institutions are corrupt

protection of an undisturbed natural world is important

emerson

american philosopher in the transcendentalist movement

emphasized direct relationship between humans and nature

nature has power to heal and uplift, every natural fact is a symbol for a spiritual fact

henry david thoreau

american philospher, poet and enviro scientist in transcendentalism movement

searched for meaning and truth through nature and believed in its value beyond use

believed in preservation of wilderness and self-reliance

believed industrialization was dehumanizing, profit > wellbeing, radical environmentalism, eco-sabotage

john muir

advocate for preserving wilderness in early 1900s US, founder of preservation movement

saw the divine in nature, valued human relationship with nature

non-anthropogenic view of nature - challenged the idea we are better than others

opposed damage to nature, influenced the public for intrinsic values, and campaigned for forest reserves and national parks

sierra club

instrumental value of nature

the value something has for bringing about a particular end, ex money, consumption, etc

intrinsic value of nature

the value of something in and of itself, apart from commercial use or human benefit or human value, etc

ex love or happiness, john muir

anthropocentrism

human-centered, the perspective that ethical principles apply to humans only, with human needs and interests being of the highest value and importance

here, nature only has value bc of its use to humans

gifford pinchot

father of conservation movement, inspired by utilitarianism

opposed to wasteful exploitation of nature, but believed in sustainable use for the greatest good for the future

anthropogenic view of nature

utilitarianism

origins from jeremy bentham

human actions should max utility - producing benefits like happiness, good, etc

measure of right or wrong is based on consequences of these actions

human interests are considered equal

rejects intrinsic value of nature

inspired pinchot

conservation

1) development of natural resources for the benefit of current generation, and the following

2) prevention of waste, preservation for the future, and control the earth

3) development and preservation of resources for many rather than profit of the few

pinchot vs muir

both opposed wasteful, unrestricted exploitation of nature

but disagreed about level of protection, and views of value and use of nature

split the early environmental movements into preservationists and conservationists