[Ecoed] question about environmental terminology

[Eric Strauss]

Hi Jon,

here at Boston College and the Urban Ecology Institute, we have been  
comfortable with stewardship as a metaphor and use it denote some of  
our programs, scholarships, research program, etc.

What I sense from the term is the notion of care-taking and not  
ownership - as well as the idea for our students that stewardship  
implies enhanced responsibility and a retuning of an internal moral  
and ethical compass.  I too, like the notion of creation care, but it  
raises a potential confrontation in science departments that I would  
rather avoid than divert energies into moderating.

best wishes

Eric Strauss
On Sep 5, 2007, at 11:25 AM, Piper, Jon wrote:

> I have a question for anyone who has thought a lot about the choice  
> and use of words.
>
>
>
> My college’s administration has decided recently to strengthen the  
> college’s commitments to the environment (e.g., improving the  
> campus recycling program, exploring and installing renewable energy  
> sources, conducting an audit of energy use on campus), and has  
> sometimes used the term “environmental stewardship.” I have never  
> been comfortable with the term “stewardship” because of the implied  
> regard for the Earth merely as “resources or property to be  
> managed.” But, I do not yet have a better alternative at hand.
>
>
>
> I know that many of you have thought a lot about appropriate  
> terminology, and am wondering whether someone has discovered or  
> coined is a better term or set of terms. A lot of the churches talk  
> about “Creation Care,” which I don’t mind too much except for the  
> connotations with creationism. I’ve heard some people talk about  
> “Tending the Garden,” but the Earth is considerably more ancient,  
> complex, and profound than a garden, and again the implication is  
> that Earth exists to serve our needs.
>
>
>
> Anyway, if anyone has thought about this question and has arrived  
> at better terminology, I’d be happy to learn of it. Thanks, in  
> advance, for sharing your wisdom.
>
>
>
> Jon K. Piper
>
> Dept of Biology
>
> Bethel College
>
> North Newton, KS
>
> USA
>
>
>
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Eric G. Strauss, Ph.D.
Director, Environmental Studies Program (www.bc.edu/envstudies)
Science Director, Urban Ecology Institute (www.urbaneco.org)
Research Associate Professor, Biology Department (www2.bc.edu/~strausse)
Editor, Cities and the Environment Journal (www.catejournal.org)
Laboratory & Office: Higgins 436 (617-552-0735)


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