Stepping Backwards into Eden

22nd Century Lecture Series

Humanity is intervening in nature. From the Endangered Species Act through efforts to save coral reefs all over the world, we are managing an ever-growing array of habitat. In many cases, this amounts to mitigating the change that human presence has created, such as building wildlife corridors over freeways, removing invasive species, or setting aside land that cannot be developed. Climate change and population growth are adding new pressures.

By 2100, most of the remaining wild places in the developed world may be managed.

Humanity’s record as a master gardener of the Earth is mixed as best. Some efforts succeed; others fail. What new skills may humanity need in order to manage the job of gardening the world? What ethical dilemmas will this create? What tools will we need in order to become successful?