The Global Treaty for Nature and Human Flourishing
Can we really flourish without other species?
Though it has stayed under the radar of mainstream media, something potentially extraordinary just happened. The nations of the world signed an agreement to put nearly one-third of Earth’s land and oceans into protected status by the end of this decade. This historic event took place at the United Nations COP15 biodiversity summit in Montreal, Canada. The deal sets out four global goals and twenty-three targets designed to halt and reverse species loss by 2030. Along with the so-called “30 by 30” goal, the agreement sets targets for countries to slash subsidies that support activities harmful to nature such as destructive agriculture and fisheries practices. It also includes some funding for biodiversity restoration.
At the same time I was tracking COP15, I came across a couple different sources focused on the concept of human-flourishing. All of these sources were decidedly politically conservative, even right-wing, in values and perspective. A couple of these sources were covering the recent development of the first ever fusion energy experiment I recently reported on and in particular were criticizing certain environmental organizations that have reservations about fusion energy as a solution to the climate crisis. The general arguments are that nuclear fusion holds the potential to allow more humans to exist and to live more comfortably and that environmentalists are against that because they are against human-flourishing. This kind of vacuum thinking drives me nuts.
The right wing looks to human technology to solve the climate crisis because they do not see the totality of human interdependence on nature and either do not understand, or refuse to acknowledge, the vast scope of ecological damage being caused by the expansion of human activity. They believe the panacea is swapping fossil fuels for a clean energy source to keep the status quo going. This is a dangerously narrow lens since climate change is but one of the growing ecological crises before us. Species loss, “forever chemical” pollutants, deforestation and loss of wetlands will not be halted or reversed merely by switching energy sources but continuing the escalation of extraction and consumption.
There is also a significant amount of thinking and writing about the link between space travel and human-flourishing. The general theory is that space exploration and eventual settlement of other planets, the moon, etc., will advance human-flourishing because it will enable us to gather more resources, develop new technologies, maybe live longer lives, etc. One such proponent, Dr. Robert Zubrin, an American aerospace engineer and founder of the Mars Society, promotes privatization of space exploration and eventual terraforming of other worlds. In an interview with the Objective Standard, he goes so far as to say, “There’s no such thing as a “natural resource,” only natural raw materials. Human creativity transforms materials into resources. Land was not a resource until people invented agriculture. And the value of that resource has multiplied as our agricultural technology has advanced.” This incredibly anthropocentric western mindset view gives no consideration to the millions of other species that only survive via the food, water and shelter resources available on the lands or in the waters in which they exist. Nor does it take into account the relationship indigenous peoples have with the lands that support them.
Now I am not opposed to space exploration; I find discoveries about our universe fascinating and I am aware that the space program has generated a number of valuable breakthroughs including solar energy systems. However, I am sickened by the amount of space waste we’ve already created and the massive amount of money and fossil fuel required to develop and launch space craft. Given the ecological crisis we’re facing it seems to me we ought to be focusing all those resources on solving the mess right here on our own irreplaceable planet.
The genesis of the human-flourishing concept goes back to Aristotle, who put forth that virtuousness tied to morality and how to live a good life would result in flourishing. More recently, psychologist Dr. Martin Seligman, author of a book titled, Flourish, notes that flourishing requires more than relief of suffering, physical development, technological advance or even reproduction, but also involves being able to cultivate talents, build deep, lasting relationships with others, experience pleasure, and contribute meaningfully to the world. Several years ago, I participated in a Global Wellbeing Lab, funded by Germany, that worked on and researched the concepts of human wellbeing and environmental issues. I worked on the ground in Rio and villages in the Amazon, as well as Bhutan and Germany. Across that broad spectrum of diversity of human lifestyle and cultural norms, according to the people living there, Seligman’s definition of human-flourishing stands.
One of my favorite authors when I was in college in the environmental studies program was the now late Edward O. Wilson. He is one of the primary developers of the concept, biophilia hypothesis, which suggests humans possess an innate tendency to seek connections with nature and other forms of life. In his book, Biophilia, Wilson defines it as "the urge to affiliate with other forms of life". I have felt that urge from my very earliest memories and my own sense of thriving and flourishing is closely tied to the ability to witness, experience and interact with nature and non-human beings.
The Global Treaty for Nature does not have strong mechanisms for holding signatory countries accountable to the goals and targets and it only does lip-service to the necessity of slowing the rate of consumption of nature. Those are pieces that must be added and adhered to for the agreement to deliver in protecting and restoring millions of species that are currently in danger of extinction. However, the fact that the majority of nations of the world are facing up to the dire need to protect our fellow species is a landmark event. While the treaty does not acknowledgment that all of creation, all species, have intrinsic value in and of themselves, it is recognition that humanity will not survive, let alone thrive, without them.
Shortly before his death one year ago, E.O. Wilson called for preserving at least thirty percent of what remains of nature in order to allow species and ecosystems to replenish. It appears that even though he has passed from this human realm, he is still spreading love and wisdom. He knew that humans could only flourish if there was room on this planet for non-human flourishing.
May 2023 bring a turn toward flourishing for all beings on this magnificent Earth.
Do You Support ReThinking Our Norms?
The ReThink is a 501c3 organization I founded when COVID hit, with a goal of raising awareness about the need not just “to get back to normal” but to harness the upheaval of these times to create new and better norms.
A portion of the proceeds from TRANSCEND subscribers supports The ReThink. Your support, as a paid subscriber, or by directly contributing The ReThink will empower the following work in 2023:
· Creation of a program titled, “From Eco-Grief to Earth Healing”. We all feel it – the sadness about what we are losing, the angst around how climate change is already affecting so much. This program concept is a result of numerous requests and will address the pervasive sense of powerlessness in the face of mounting ecological damage that often prompts people to disengage and withdraw from critical issues. Going forward, we will need resources to gain resiliency muscles to keep working toward a world that works better for all. The ReThink has been researching and compiling information and resources and now we are ready to develop these into a user-friendly set of tools.
· Development of webinar series on Creating and Economy for a Thriving World. This will be offered live as well as made available for downloads to anyone who wants it.
· ReThink will continue working with the Blessed Tomorrow project to create climate change related programming and communications for clergy and spiritual leaders.
· Enhancing our Communications Services – speaking, writing and teaching on issues related to our mission to accelerate momentum toward a restorative economy and healthy relationships between humanity and the rest of Nature.
Finally, on a personal yet-related level, after many years of formal training, I will finally become an ordained Unity minister this spring. As a 501c3, The ReThink, will then be able to establish a Unity Worldwide Evolving Ministry and formally provide speeches, classes, workshops, and strategic advice, under that credential. The ReThink holds a unique opportunity to bridge gaps between political, scientific and faith-based arenas; at this pivotal time, we feel this is a key leverage point promoting restoration of sanity to humanity and health and vitality to the Earth.
Here's a link to The ReThink website.
Many thanks for considering joining the cause to create new and better norms.