Why so much confusion?
If animal advocacy and environmentalism have different goals, why do so many people think they're the same thing? The author points to several reasons.
The main reasons
1. People don't know what environmentalism is based on. Many don't know it gives intrinsic value to things that don't feel, like species and ecosystems.
2. The false choice "preserve or destroy." Environmentalists often present only two options: preserve nature or destroy it. But nature can be preserved in many different ways. And disagreeing with environmental values doesn't mean wanting to destroy nature.
3. The belief that biodiversity and balance are always good for animals. As we've seen, they aren't.
4. Mixing up ecology and environmentalism. Ecology is a science; environmentalism is a set of values. Science can be used for many goals.
5. Sometimes environmental actions help some animals. That makes it look like the goal is to help animals, but it's a coincidence.
6. The idea that extermination is the only way out. When a program kills animals, the public usually assumes it was the only way to prevent even more suffering. Often it isn't, and that's not even the goal.
Some people are both
There are people who are environmentalists and also care about animals. The point is that when the two values clash, you need to know which one to choose.
In short
- Many people don't know what environmentalism is based on.
- "Preserve or destroy" is a false choice.
- Ecology (a science) and environmentalism (a set of values) are different things.