Abstract

  Intergenerational fairness and equity is the pivotal component of sustainable use of the planet. Much discussion continues on sustainable development and sustainable use of the planet even though the rate of ecological destruction still vastly exceeds ecological restoration. Ecological destruction is definitely not inevitable, and restoration alone is an unsuitable strategy for balancing destruction. Prevention is better than a cure, but, until human society is better able to check ecological destruction, and even for a period afterwards, restoration will be extremely important. Ecological destruction is irrational if the human species is dependent upon an ecological life support system. A call for sustainable use of the planet while destruction continues is rational only if human ingenuity and technology can free humans from the biophysical laws of ecology that bind other species. The future of natural systems depends on which school of thought represents the foundation of the guiding beliefs of human society. This manuscript advocates the development of a new relationship between human society that is sustainable, ethical and mutually beneficial. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd and AEHMS. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Sustainability; Ecological restoration; Ecological destruction; Ecological risk;                  Uncertainty