Philosopher's Zone Environmental techno-utopias: building nature better
Oct 22, 2025
Join philosopher and biologist Kate Lynch, an expert in environmental ethics, and Christopher Lane, a research fellow tackling ethical conservation issues. They delve into radical ideas such as recreating ecosystems through biotechnology and the ethical implications of genetically engineering species. The conversation explores wild animal welfare, the conflict between species conservation and individual suffering, and the intriguing notion of bioengineering humans to reduce environmental demands. It's a thought-provoking journey into the future of our natural world!
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Human-Driven Mass Extinction Is Underway
- We're in a human-driven mass extinction with species loss rates 1,000–10,000 times the background rate.
- Kate Lynch highlights uncertainty in species counts but stresses urgent biodiversity loss and up to 150 species lost per day.
Ecosystem Services Frame Nature's Value
- Ecosystem services translate nature's value into policymaker-friendly terms like provisioning and regulating functions.
- Christopher Lane notes conservation values have shifted from wilderness to biodiversity to equitable human and non-human wellbeing.
Start With Low-Tech Conservation First
- Prioritise simple, proven interventions like removing invasive species and stopping land clearing before high-tech fixes.
- Christopher Lane urges using genomic tools only for intractable problems where conventional methods fail.
