Open AccessSeizing opportunities to diversify conservation
Author(s) -
Gould Rachelle K.,
Phukan Indira,
Mendoza Mary E.,
Ardoin Nicole M.,
Panikkar Bindu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12431
Subject(s) - diversity (politics) , narrative , action (physics) , environmental ethics , collective action , sociology , political science , public relations , environmental resource management , environmental science , linguistics , philosophy , physics , quantum mechanics , politics , anthropology , law
Abstract This article identifies, and offers several ways to address, a serious, persistent issue in conservation: low levels of diversity in thought and action. We first describe the lack of diversity and highlight the continued separation of the environmental conservation and environmental justice movements. We then offer—based on previous research and our collective experience—two suggestions for how to increase inclusivity (a step farther than increasing diversity) in holistic ways. We suggest that embracing narrative, including historical narrative that can be profound and painful, may be essential to addressing this deeply rooted issue. We also suggest the need to redefine “environment” to more closely align with the diversity of perspectives that different people and disciplines bring to the topic. We support our suggestions with selected data from empirical research and provide examples of initiatives that embody them.