Why it’s Wrong to Wreck the World: Moving from Description and Disempowerment Toward Integrity

Abstract:

Scientists have done an amazing, heroic job explaining that climate change is real, it is upon us, and it will cause us great harm. The world has – sadly, depressingly, frustratingly – not responded appropriately to this described threat. So, how do we move beyond descriptions about the reality we face, and toward an appropriate response? And how do we offer the world (and especially our students) guidance and a moral anchor in the rough seas ahead? The extraordinary times in which we do, and will, live require extraordinary answers. Descriptions about the status of the world and the future are not enough, utilitarian calculations about ecosystem services are not enough, we are not going to engineer or tinker our way out of our current condition. A refocusing, away from consequences and toward a principle of integrity just might do it.