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CONSERVATION EDUCATION: TRAVELING BLUES

The Norwegian philosopher and environmentalist Arne Naess made a distinction between science specifically designed to preserve species and ecosystems--conservation biology--and science designed to keep the human economy going--in his view, most other environmental science. He also encouraged all environmentalists to examine their personal consumption of resources. While Naess is known as the progenitor of deep ecology,' a close reading of his work (including essays in the journal Conservation Biology and in M.E. Soulé's 1986 edited volume Conservation Biology) does not emphasize ecological spirituality. Naess, as shown by his highly readable book Is it Painful to Think?, was a consummate academic in the Western intellectual tradition. (His other book, Ecology, Community and Lifestyle, is somewhat convoluted but worth reading.)

As conservation biologists, most of us are acutely aware of our personal consumption of resources. However, some of our routine actions truly may not be sustainable. When affluent residents of developed countries travel to less developed areas, the impact of their choices regarding product consumption may not only be immediate. Instead, their choices also may impact future decisions about local or regional commerce and contribute to global homogenization. Accordingly, I have compiled a few questions about travel.

• This is conference season, and many of us are zipping around the world. Is this a blind spot?
• What distance do you fly each year?
• Do you rent cars, or use public transportation whenever possible?
• Do you demand a high level of service and comfort (e.g. air conditioning, heat) at your destination?
• Do you eat local foods?
• Do you project a colonial image when it comes to ecotourism? Do you attempt to see the natural world through the eyes of your guides? Along these lines, do you share your own knowledge of local and global ecology? Do you view yourself and the guides as a partners and colleagues?
• Do you drink local beer?

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