dualism. Arguments against the Nature-Culture Dichotomy are related to discussions
in social sciences, environmental ethics, human geography, and also from neurobiology and the theory of evolution. Meanwhile, indigenous ethnic groups get more
and other rights than descendants of immigrants with respect to their traditions and
behaviour in the nature.
One general concern is the challenge to find a clear cut between the two realms.
The changeover from nature to human/culture is ambiguous (Gerber 1997; Nettle
2009; Mortenson 2011; Berque 2016; Escribano and De Penedo-Garcia 2018).
If nature is seen as the enemy, if we have pain or hunger caused by natural
conditions, if we feel panic due to natural attributes, then it might be easy to fight
against nature or certain natural attributes. If we accept that nature can be dangerous,
ugly, or unfortunate with the effect that nature is not harmonious at all, then we can
find bridges and transitions between nature and culture.
Furthermore, the decision of being responsible for only cultural processes and
conditions, and to exclude responsibility for natural entities, would clearly reduce
the scope of necessary actions.
As we consider overcoming the Nature-Culture Dichotomy, it begs the question—for what imagined or real guideline do we adhere to the terms and implications
of nature and culture?
As short-cut answer, it can be concluded that humans currently represent emotions, behaviour, and decisions along both the Nature-Culture Dichotomy and the
effort to overcome the dichotomy. We may observe what this will mean for
environmental handling in the future.
5 Disaster Stories and Climate Change in Science
and the Media
Invasive species have recently been seen as a huge environmental problem in many
places on Earth (Ehrenfeld 2010; Stohlgren et al. 1999, iucnredlist.org). In contrast,
many highly restricted species (endemics) are at risk of extinction. Thus, diverse
activities are performed to fight against invasive species and to reduce the extinction
risk of native species with a small population or range (e.g. Spatz et al. 2017;
Hobohm 2014).
A clover fern which was found in a single locality in the Azores was scientifically
described as Marsilea azoria, highly endemic to the Azores. However, this species
was later identified as Marsilea hirsuta which is native and widespread in Australia.
Therefore, the label changed from European priority species to invasive weed or
alien (Schaefer et al. 2011). Clearly, this change of scientific taxonomy can have
consequences for conservation measures in the Azores.
Another example of a changing scientific view comes from hares (Lepus
europaeus) on Pianosa Island, Italy. The first scientific assessments came to the
result that these hares could have been introduced by man for hunting purposes
Nature-Culture Dichotomy and Environmental Consciousness: Do We Fear the Right. . .
27
in social sciences, environmental ethics, human geography, and also from neurobiology and the theory of evolution. Meanwhile, indigenous ethnic groups get more
and other rights than descendants of immigrants with respect to their traditions and
behaviour in the nature.
One general concern is the challenge to find a clear cut between the two realms.
The changeover from nature to human/culture is ambiguous (Gerber 1997; Nettle
2009; Mortenson 2011; Berque 2016; Escribano and De Penedo-Garcia 2018).
If nature is seen as the enemy, if we have pain or hunger caused by natural
conditions, if we feel panic due to natural attributes, then it might be easy to fight
against nature or certain natural attributes. If we accept that nature can be dangerous,
ugly, or unfortunate with the effect that nature is not harmonious at all, then we can
find bridges and transitions between nature and culture.
Furthermore, the decision of being responsible for only cultural processes and
conditions, and to exclude responsibility for natural entities, would clearly reduce
the scope of necessary actions.
As we consider overcoming the Nature-Culture Dichotomy, it begs the question—for what imagined or real guideline do we adhere to the terms and implications
of nature and culture?
As short-cut answer, it can be concluded that humans currently represent emotions, behaviour, and decisions along both the Nature-Culture Dichotomy and the
effort to overcome the dichotomy. We may observe what this will mean for
environmental handling in the future.
5 Disaster Stories and Climate Change in Science
and the Media
Invasive species have recently been seen as a huge environmental problem in many
places on Earth (Ehrenfeld 2010; Stohlgren et al. 1999, iucnredlist.org). In contrast,
many highly restricted species (endemics) are at risk of extinction. Thus, diverse
activities are performed to fight against invasive species and to reduce the extinction
risk of native species with a small population or range (e.g. Spatz et al. 2017;
Hobohm 2014).
A clover fern which was found in a single locality in the Azores was scientifically
described as Marsilea azoria, highly endemic to the Azores. However, this species
was later identified as Marsilea hirsuta which is native and widespread in Australia.
Therefore, the label changed from European priority species to invasive weed or
alien (Schaefer et al. 2011). Clearly, this change of scientific taxonomy can have
consequences for conservation measures in the Azores.
Another example of a changing scientific view comes from hares (Lepus
europaeus) on Pianosa Island, Italy. The first scientific assessments came to the
result that these hares could have been introduced by man for hunting purposes
Nature-Culture Dichotomy and Environmental Consciousness: Do We Fear the Right. . .
27