233_Why Favoring Development Over Conservation is a False Assumption

Humanity has not always been the best at looking into the future. We tend to do whatever we are going to do and never give a lot of thought to the consequences. But as I always like to say, everything we do has a price.

Over time we have always favored development over conservation. We have always framed those two choices as an either/or situation. Because of that we are now paying the price of climate change, environmental degradation and widespread pollution.

We are now faced with a choice. Continue as we have always done or focus on conservation. So join me for episode 233 Why Favoring Development Over Conservation is a False Assumption.

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 233

Why Favoring Development Over Conservation is a False Assumption

Humanity has not always been the best at looking into the future. We tend to do whatever we are going to do and never give a lot of thought to the consequences. But as I always like to say, everything we do has a price.

Over time we have always favored development over conservation. We have always framed those two choices as an either/or situation. Because of that we are now paying the price of climate change, environmental degradation and widespread pollution.

We are now faced with a choice. Continue as we have always done or focus on conservation. So join me for episode 233 Why Favoring Development Over Conservation is a False Assumption.

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E233. Why Favoring Development Over Conservation is a False Assumption

In this episode I want to discuss how we have framed development over conservation as an either/or question. Consequently, we are now seeing the detrimental results of our false assumption. We are now faced with two choices for our future.

But before we get to that, let’s talk about the good news story of the week. 

Good News Story of the Week

Despite a world that seems to be constantly warming, there is good news from Antarctica. The continent actually  gained gained 200 billion tons of ice in the last few years. The Antarctic ice sheet lost an average of 147 gigaton of ice per year between 2010 and 2020. But that trend has shown a remarkable reversal. Researchers think this is the result of an unusually high amount of precipitation. They are also unsure if that trend will continue. But for now, this is good news. 

Now let’s move along to this weeks episode.

As I look back over my adult years I can point to a few examples of things that have changed the course of my life. Some of these things have truly been defining points. But I also think that most of us can look back at certain events, specific decisions, and perhaps coincidental circumstances that made a significant impact. We often wonder what if we had done this instead of that, gone here instead of there, turned right instead of left what would our life be like now. It is certainly an interesting thing to think about.

But in many ways the same could be said for how humanity has chosen to use the planet that we live on. For example, most people never stop to consider that every square foot we stand on was wilderness at one point in time. Instead we continue to trample, pave, dig up, burn, cut down, and build on top of every square inch.

In 1852 Chief Seattle said, “The earth does not belong to man, man belongs to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. What ever he does to the web, he does to himself.” Unfortunately these very words now echo from the pages of numerous scientific studies about how we have altered the planet we depend on for our very survival.

Take for example:

-We are the only species on the planet that produces trash.

-We have done such extensive environmental damage that it will take hundreds if not thousands of year for the Earth to return to its natural state.

-We are responsible for the sixth mass extinction event. Human activity and intrusion has increased the normal background extinction rate by a factor of at least 100.

-If we do not stop our rate of deforestation, our planet will be devoid of trees in 300 years.

-So called “forever chemicals”, which is a class of highly persistent chemicals with over 4,700 compounds,  now pollute almost everything on Earth

-Plastic micro particles can now be found in even the most remote regions on Earth from the top of Mount Everest to the deepest parts of the oceans.

-Approximately 95% of ocean surface water is now more acidic which has a tremendous impact on the entire ecosystem.

-Scientist have now identified 415 dead zones in the waters around the world where nothing can live or grow.

And I could go on with numerous other examples. But the simple truth is that the affects of humanity on the planet have been so extensive that it now defines our geological time. From air pollution to plastic fragments at the bottom of the ocean, it is hard to find a place on the planet that has not been altered by humanity in some fashion.

But while we may have reason to congratulate ourselves because of our wealth, cultural development, and technological advancements we so easily forget that nature is literally the bedrock of our existence, health, stability and well being. We forget that healthy and stable ecosystems are not a luxury. They are responsible for our genetic diversity, our agriculture, our food security, drug and resource development, clean water, stable climate systems, as well as our health and mental well being. Yet we are destroying it all.  It is quite obvious that our present behavior is not consistent with our long term survival on this planet. There are some prominent scientist who even believe that humans will be extinct in as little as 100 years.

The challenge is that humanity only seems to respond to tipping points, or what I call 911 moments. These moments typically represent

signify critical thresholds beyond which significant and often irreversible changes occur, whether that is social or environmental. In social contexts, tipping points can lead to rapid and widespread adoption of ideas or behaviors, as Malcolm Gladwell discusses in his book "The Tipping Point," where small changes can lead to large-scale shifts in society. In environmental contexts, tipping points can trigger abrupt and severe impacts on ecosystems and climate, which can have dire consequences for humanity.

A perfect example is the topic of climate change. We have known about this possibility for over 100 years. We are rapidly approaching a tipping point and discussions about climate change are becoming more and more urgent. We are now faced with two choices: continue what we are doing and ignore the facts, or completely change our lives and lifestyles and start building a more sustainable future that favors conservation.

For hundreds of years now we have been operating under a false assumption that the two concepts of development and conservation are mutually exclusive. This false assumption has now sealed the fate of humanity unless we have a change of heart.

The preference for development over conservation often stems directly from the immediate economic benefits and the various human needs that development can address. Development such as infrastructure projects, can lead to economic growth, job creation, and improved living standards, which are immediate and tangible benefits for local communities and produce positive results on a national level.  In contrast, the benefits of conservation, such as biodiversity protection and environmental sustainability, are often long-term and less immediately apparent, making these benefits much harder to prioritize.

Additionally, many people, communities as well as local and national governments view development as essential for meeting basic human needs, such as food, shelter, and healthcare, which are of course crucial for survival and promoting and building a good quality of life. Conservation efforts, on the other hand, may be seen as placing limitations on these immediate needs by limiting the use of resources and hindering economic activities.

However, we also have to appreciate the fact that while development can bring short-term benefits, it can also lead to negative environmental impacts that can undermine long-term sustainability which in turn affects human well-being. While balancing development and conservation is a complex and difficult issue we are now seeing the affects of our long-term inability and unwillingness to strike a balance between the two.

Joyce Msuya, the acting head of the United Nations Environment said “Nature makes human development possible but our relentless demand for the Earth’s resources is accelerating extinction rates and is devastating the world’s ecosystems.”

The challenge is that for hundreds of years we have been guided by a false assumption that development requires sacrificing nature. We have been guilty of dichotomous thinking, which means we have a cognitive bias toward development and we have over simplified our choice of development versus nature into an either/or perspective. Consequently we think in terms of black or white and we are completely ignoring the complexities and urgency of the issue.

This false dichotomy, which creates an either/or decision ignores the reality that sustainable development integrates economic, social and environmental progress. Consequently, it is a mistake to frame conservation as anti-growth because we are ignoring the long-term economic and human benefits.

What most people do not consider is that conservation actually drives development by ensuring that natural resources are protected and managed sustainably.  This in turn supports the well-being of humanity and economic growth.

Instead of an either/or choice what we should be focusing on is conservation development. This is an approach that combines the development of land while prioritizing the protection of natural resources, open space, and agricultural lands. This sort of development prospective often clusters housing into a well defined area within a larger portion of land, preserving open space, agricultural land, or natural areas as a component of the overall development. This approach can easily lead to the protection of biodiversity, resilient stormwater infrastructure, a cleaner water supply, and a sustainable approach to growth.

Conservation development can also contributes to food security and the reduction of poverty. For instance, USAID-funded initiatives such as the Bluefields fish sanctuary in Jamaica has contributed to a 70 percent decline in illegal fishing and an increase in legal fishing hauls and fish size, resulting in greater food security. Similarly, sustainable agriculture and sustainably-managed wild fisheries can improve the resilience of food systems while conserving biodiversity.

Additionally, conservation plays a role in improving the health conditions of local populations. For example, accessible and affordable healthcare can reduce pressure on natural resources.  Intact and diverse ecosystems tend to promote better health and prevent disease by providing wild foods and natural medicines, and regulating local disease carriers. 

If you look at the big picture conservation drives development by fostering sustainable practices that protect natural resources, support human well-being, and promote equitable and just economic growth. For example, intact ecosystems provide clean water and air, pollination for agriculture, flood control and local climate regulation. The preservation of wetlands is a perfect example.

On the other hand, if we prioritize unchecked development the result is resource depletion, soil degradation, deforestation, and climate instability. What we now have to focus on is that conservation protects the very resources that make development a reality.

For example, Deer Path Farm in Illinois, Elkington Forest in British Columbia, Palmetto Bluff in South Carolina, The Boulders in North Carolina, as well as several other communities, set aside 50% of their land as open space, protecting natural habitats and farm land and limiting development. Costa Rica chose eco-tourism and reforestation over industrial development. The end result was a growth is gross domestic product, increased quality of life, and increased biodiversity. This is a perfect example of how conservation can drive development.

In my opinion, a green economy simply means smart growth. Green infrastructure, clean energy, and regenerative agriculture creates jobs, stimulates innovation, and can even lower long-term costs. Industries such as eco-tourism, forestry, and proper water management should be considered economic assets, not obstacles.

We can actually have urban development without destruction as long as there is sustainable city development. Things such as green spaces not only improves our health but also increases local property value. Public transportation reduces pollution. Smart buildings reduce energy use. Vehicle free areas promotes reduced pollution, encourages exercise and even community engagement.

Six Ways to Promote Conservation Development

Now I realize that once again this may all sound rather overwhelming as if nothing we do as individuals is ever going to make a difference.  However, here are some tips on what you can do to promote conservation development:

🏡 1. Make Sustainable Choices in Housing

•  Support conservation-friendly communities: Choose to live in or advocate for developments that integrate green space preservation, landscaping with native plants, and clustered housing developments to reduce the amount of land that is altered from its natural state.
•  Retrofit or build green: Use energy-efficient building materials, solar panels, and low-impact development techniques such as rain gardens or permeable pavements to control storm water run off.

🗳️ 2. Advocate for Smart Policies

•  Engage in local planning: If you are already living in a specific community you can attend city council meetings and support zoning laws and planning efforts that prioritize conservation development principles.
•  Vote for conservation-minded leaders: Support local political leaders and candidates who support and promote responsible land use, green infrastructure, and habitat preservation.

🌱 3. Preserve and Restore Land

•  Participate in land stewardship: Volunteer with land trusts or conservation groups that manage protected areas and work to restore local degraded ecosystems.
•  Support or create conservation easements: If you own land, consider setting up an easement to permanently protect it from any sort of unsustainable development.

🧠 4. Educate and Influence Others

•  Raise awareness: Host community events, share your knowledge on social media, or lead workshops to teach others about the value of conservation development.
•  Collaborate with schools and youth programs: Help introduce conservation-based projects that teach younger people the value of conserving local ecosystems.

💰 5. Direct Your Finances Toward Conservation

•  Invest in conservation: Support conservation funds, eco-conscious developers, or community land trusts.
•  Donate to environmental organizations: Fund groups actively working to protect biodiversity and develop sustainable communities.

🌎 6. Live Lightly

•  Reduce your ecological footprint: Use less water and energy, avoid overconsumption, and prioritize the use of public transportation and alternative means of getting around such as riding a bike or walking.
•  Choose native landscaping: Replace lawns with native plants to support pollinators, reduce runoff, and eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers. You can easily turn your yard into a wildlife habitat.

I hope by now you can appreciate that over the last few centuries we have been operating under the false assumption that we must choose development over conservation. By doing so we have significantly altered this planet. If we continue to operate in this mode we will also significantly alter our own future on this planet and not in a good way. Favoring development over conservation is a false assumption rooted in outdated thinking.

Just the other day I was talking with a client that was complaining about all the development in Colorado that has occurred in the last few decades. He was particularly concerned about the city of Golden where he lives. He was saying things such as “It’s not the same.” “The city has been completely destroyed.” “ I need to move somewhere else.”

He followed that by saying that some close friends of his had attended a city council meeting to expressed their concerns over how the city was being developed. In particular they were concerned about the lack of conservation of green spaces and the local ecosystems. One of the city council members just looked at these folks and said, “Well, if you disagree with what we are doing then all you old people can just move somewhere else.”

In my opinion that is the kind of attitude that favors development over conservation with no regard to the environment. And that is the very kind of thing that we need to change. All we have to do is make sustainable choices in housing, advocate for smart laws and policies, work to preserve and restore local ecosystems, educate others and raise awareness about the value of conservation, donate our time and even invest in conservation efforts, and work to reduce your own ecological footprint.

The bottom line is that we have two choices. We can continue to live under a false assumption and favor development while risking our own future on this planet. Or we can accept the fact that conservation is not the enemy of progress. It is actually the very foundation of lasting prosperity.

If we continue to live under this false assumption that favors development then we are opening ourselves up to misunderstandings, misinterpretations and even harmful decisions.

Additionally, false assumptions distort our perception of reality, causing us to become less grounded in facts and more prone to creating problems for ourselves and others. It is crucial that we question our assumptions and verify them with tangible facts. Development without conservation destroys the very environment that we depend on. Conservation development favors both people and the planet and it is the best way toward a sustainable future for all of us. By combining lifestyle changes, timely civic engagement and community influence each of us can play a part in shifting development norms toward a more conservation-focused future. Every small change that we make builds toward a community and cultural shift toward a greener future for all of us.

By combining lifestyle changes, civic engagement, and community influence, individuals can help shift development norms toward a more conservation-focused future. Margaret Mead, who was an American cultural anthropologist, author and speaker, once said, “We won’t have a society if we destroy the environment.”

Well folks that is about it for this week. I hope you have enjoyed this episode and will join me again next week. Until then, this is your host Patrick signing off. Always remember to live sustainably because this is how we build a better future.