Inside Biodiversity Can We Go Back to Eden?
Sep 4, 2025
Emma Marris, a science writer known for her work on biodiversity and conservation, dives into thought-provoking topics. She critiques the concept of 'wilderness' and suggests valuing ecosystem autonomy instead. Exploring the idea of ecosystem integrity, she argues it often masks desires for an idealized natural state. Marris emphasizes the need for a transparent approach to conservation goals shaped by human values. She challenges the perception of introduced species and advocates a nuanced understanding of ecological change, positing that not all shifts in biodiversity signify loss.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Science Doesn't Prescribe Conservation Goals
- Science cannot tell us what ecosystems we should prefer; those are human values.
- Emma Marris argues restoration goals must be decided democratically, not by scientists alone.
Rethinking Wilderness As Autonomy
- Few places are free from human influence, so the term 'wilderness' is problematic.
- Marris prefers discussing autonomy: places left unmanaged have distinct value.
Integrity Often Masks A Preference For Naturalness
- 'Ecosystem integrity' often masks a desire for historical naturalness.
- Marris warns integrity definitions usually tie back to a human-chosen reference state.
