Reflection on a Land Ethic Perspective
Using parables and historical examples Aldo Leopold presents his perspective and
beliefs in his essay, “The Land Ethic”. Starting with a descriptive tone he demystifies
conservation so the reader may make their own decisions. Not only does he explain what a
land ethic is, but also how it has affected our society and its historical evolution. Bringing the
reader up to date in his time in the 1940’s with the outlook and the Earth’s options on where to
go from there.
Leopold sets the tone by clarifying simple conservation terms and the current
environment where land is a possession; there are no ethical reasons for treating it otherwise,
per societal views. All people are part of a community, and this community should also be a
part of the land, not conqueror of it. There is a biotic pyramid in nature and all members of the
earth are connected, from plants to animals to humans, and our destructive interventions have
caused evolution to shorten food chains by removing animals. He asks, “Can the land adjust?
Can desired alterations be accomplished with less violence?”.
Historically, the land has been governed by economics. Intrinsic value of land is not
enough, there must be an economically viable reason to save it and not use it as a possession or
a resource alone. Laws like the 1937 Soil Conservation Law were enacted, but did little to help;
only lining the pockets of farmers rather than restore the land.
The conclusion to this essay splits people into two categories; one regards land as a
commodity and the other as biota with wide ranging functions that affect us. The outlook given
is that we need a broader consciousness of land and need to relate to not damage the land by
treating it as a possession. We have to come together as a community and encourage
preservation.
My own views are closely paralleled to Leopold’s, though I have never been as articulate
in conveying them. I feel that we need to take more immersive action when it comes to
conservation. A good example is what is currently happening with bee populations in that we
must think of them as a society and as members of our community. We cannot own bees and
tell them what to do in order to benefit us personally or economically. Without them our food
sources diminish, but if we work together to provide them the natural environment they need
then we benefit as well. It should be a symbiotic, mutually beneficial relationship in all we do.
In order to change our society’s actions from conqueror to mutualistic we need to
educate. I think most people don’t realize to what extent we have harmed the environment
because we do not see it every day. The sad truth is that economics matter, and we need to
make green energy and conservation profitable for everyone to get a major swing in opinion
and actions. For instance, making solar energy less expensive with public subsidies and careful
investment. Personally, if I could afford it I would be much more willing to change over and help
the environment while saving money. Additionally encouraging and electing officials that will
condemn and punish those companies that ruin the environment would create a social shift in
the way conservation is viewed.
Right now conservation is something society realizes must be done but has no
connection to the land and no vision of how to change. The general relationship to the land
from an individual varies greatly depending on where you live. Educating society on how we
are connected, not just how to recycle, would give a big picture view.
Education can help make changes on a local level that will impact our relationship with
the land. Gaining support for something like a plastic bag ban, which has happened in some
locations, would change the way people think about how their everyday actions can harm the
land around them. Without being aware of it or having an alternative it is hard to change and
go out of our way to help. How can I say it is wrong for you to use plastic when it is
everywhere?
Wasting plastic is wrong, but on a large level its use is (comparatively) economically
advantageous and no one wants to give up the convenience. A shift in laws would change
societal perceptions such that reckless and unnecessary use of plastic will be the discouraged
with a general perception that it is wrong to use it. Making it wrong to use would open up
other alternatives that are conservation friendly as well as also helping to expand the
conversation into other areas. What else is wrong with our relationship to the land, what else
can we do to help, what can we discuss?
I believe communication about these issues is the most important way we can share
intrinsic value and spread respect for the land. Beauty and duty are both significantly
important in conservation. We are part of a community and as more sentient beings we have a
duty and responsibility to keep balance. Beauty and continued function are the motivation and
reason to continue to do what is right. I believe that the world is wonderful, the good and the
bad, the beautiful and the ugly in equal measure. To save our world is to save ourselves and
future generations. Endeavoring to minimize our collective destructive impact on the
environment to the greatest economically and socially possible extent is how we should view
our time here on this planet as the world doesn’t end when we do, it will just evolve.
I really appreciated the way Leopold brought his essay together and articulated his
opinions about conservation. It did not change my mind, as I found that I had already agreed
with him, but it will help me to pass on the information when I discuss it with others. I already
have and will continue recommend this line of thought to others. I think it is important to
recognize how society sees the land, and that we should preserve it, but go a step further and
take action as opposed to passive observation of environmental trends and events.
In the essay Leopold realizes that society knows despoliation is ethically wrong but
societal awareness and motivation to act had not adequately caught up yet. I think he was right
at the time, but that we have now somewhat recognized the problem and have started
arguably substantial measures to ameliorate our negative impact. Solar and nuclear power are
gaining more ground and that will help us to preserve the environment through reduction of
consumption of fossil fuels. Also, people are increasingly realizing that eating grazing animals is
harmful and wastes resources as well as altering the land and reducing diversity. I have seen
more and more people convert to vegetarian lifestyles or at the very least cut back on red meat
consumption and I think that is a good start.
Observing the changes start to happen and realizing that we still have a long way to go
based on the observations given in the essay, is encouraging, perhaps even motivating
willingness to help the process along. I will continue to increase my own consciousness and
educate others. Being in a landlocked state it is perhaps more difficult to make a case for
saving the oceans but I am ready and eager to try. This exercise has given me the drive to
personally organize an active effort here in Salt Lake City to ban plastic bags and micro beads to
save our waterways and the land around us. I will carry Leopolds philosophical views with me
as I attempt to change minds, increase awareness, and pass on mindfulness of our impact and
the necessity of positive societal change.