To the future: An ecology of love, hope, and action

• Published in: Austral ecology 2023-12, Vol.48 (8), p.1705-1712
• Main Author: Woinarski, John C. Z.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: advocacy; Biodiversity; Biodiversity loss; conservation; Ecology; emotion; extinction; hope
• ISSN: 1442-9985; 1442-9993
• DOI: 10.1111/aec.13443

This is an edited version of a keynote address given at the 2023 Ecological Society of Australia conference (https://youtu.be/0JDJ9RdIkP4). I argue that the practice of ecology gifts us a unique capability to see and understand the beauty, intricacy and wonder of the natural world, but also powerful insight into biodiversity loss and its consequences. With such privilege we should take more responsibility for its protection. We should recognize that love drives our concern for nature and that emotion renders us more persuasive advocates. Despair at environmental loss is understandable but unhelpful, and we must find hope and build from it. Such hope comes, for example, from a sense of community connection to and concern for nature; in increasingly bold commitments by governments and many organizations to protect biodiversity; in the increased recognition and respect shown in Australia for First Nations management and perspectives on responsibility for country; and in those (albeit still too few) success stories of recovery. Abbreviated summarizing the article: Ecology is a charmed science, allowing us unique insight into the mystery and wonder of nature. Such knowledge and perception also mean that we can readily see the widening cracks and increasing losses. I argue that we need to respond and that love and hope form the basis for our responsibility to advocate for the transformative change needed to safeguard and recover nature.