An ethics of biodiversity : Christianity, ecology, and the variety of life / Kevin J. O'Brien.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

O'Brien, Kevin J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Human ecology--Religious aspects--Christianity.

Human ecology.

Biodiversity.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (240 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : Georgetown University Press, 2010.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Life on earth is wildly diverse, but the future of that diversity is now in question. Through environmentally destructive farming practices, ever-expanding energy use, and the development and homogenization of land, human beings are responsible for unprecedented reductions in the variety of life forms around us. Estimates suggest that species extinctions caused by humans occur at up to 1,000 times the natural rate, and that one of every twenty species on the planet could be eradicated by 2060.An Ethics of Biodiversity argues that these facts should inspire careful reflection and action in Chri

Contents:

Introduction: Christian ecological ethics and biodiversity

Defining biodiversity

The variety of life

Why biodiversity matters

Valuing life and ecosystems

The sacramental value of the variety of life

The levels of biodiversity

Scaling conservation

Multiscalar Christian ecological ethics

Political and morally formative conservation

Regulating biodiversity : the endangered species act and political conservation

Christian care for biodiversity : moral formation as conservation

Social justice and the conservation of biodiversity

Biological and cultural diversity

Diversities and justice

Conclusion: the work of conserving biodiversity.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781589016644

1589016645

OCLC:

648711586