Leveraging Human–Natural World Intersections for Climate Change Adaptation

Abstract

Working closely with all the species of animals—wild, urban-wild, and domestic—as well as indigenous and coastal communities, has helped VSPCA discover the immense, inter-generational “cultures” of traditional peoples, animals, and plants. Traditional ecological knowledge gathered over generations by indigenous peoples is at the intersection of human society/community and the natural world, revealing tried-and-tested scientific knowledge concerning conservation biology. It is the cultural way of doing science. There have been impediments to integrating the Western disciplines of conservation biology and environmental anthropology even though both are concerned with identifying, describing, and preserving diversity—biological and cultural. Additionally, Western science deems traditional ecological knowledge as “primitive” without its consistent application of the scientific method. However, the disciplines of conservation biology and environmental anthropology are well-positioned to provide greater insights and new perspectives to the world if the knowledge gathered over generations from animal, plant, and people worlds augments these sciences. We argue that biological and cultural extinction threats are imminent and that modern science alone cannot replicate ecosystems’ effectiveness. Therefore, finding unique ways of fostering interdisciplinary thinking—sharing demonstrated community-driven conservation workflows and principles with modern scientists, and, applying modern science to indigenous methods—is an effective way forward. This can aid the protection of both biodiversity and culture to reflect the spirit and triumph of life on earth.