Land Ethics: A Case Study

1. Land Ethics: A Case Study Aldo Leopold, Tragedy of the Commons, & The Lorax

2. Aldo Leopold’s Land Ethic Aldo Leopold (1886-1948) • Yale University • US Forest Service • Urged that nature should be included in our ethical concerns • “A Sand County Almanac” (pub. 1949) • Formed beliefs of the modern Environmental Wisdom worldview

3. Leopold’s Quotes • “The land ethic simply enlarges the boundaries of the community to include soils, waters, plants, and animals, or collectively the land…In short a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to a plain member and citizen of it.”

4. Leopold’s Quotes • “We abuse land because we view it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

5. Tragedy of the CommonsGarrett Hardin (1968) Biologist • Overuse of common property or free-access resources • Examples • Clean air • Open ocean/fish • Wildlife species • Publicly owned land (NP, NF, WR) • Common User quotes • “If I don’t use it, someone else will!” • “The little I use doesn’t matter…and these resources are renewable.”

6. Tragedy of the Commons Solutions??? 1. Using commons at rates below their sustainable yield • Reducing population • Limiting access 2. Convert common land/resources to private ownership • Private owners may protect their resources • Not practical for global resources (air, open ocean) 3. Set up rules to regulate/share access

7. The Lorax (1971) • Children’s literature book by Theodor Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss) • One of many books by Dr. Suess that spoke to environmental or political issues • Main characters • The Once-ler • The Lorax

8. The Lorax (1971) Homework Response: Sustainability and the Lorax How do events in the Lorax mirror the concepts we’ve learned so far in Ch 1 & 2? • Include as many applicable terms/concepts as possible. • Explain the connection between the film and your objectives • 1 page max Due Friday 9/12/08