Wayne, you ask about a replacement term for "environmentalist" -- I have been trying to use the term "conservation" and "conservationist" more, not as a replacement necessarily, but as a term that spans the perceived gap between environmentalists on one side and resource custodians and resource users on the other.
And I usually describe what I do as applied ecology. Warren Aney Senior Wildlife Ecologist Tigard, OR -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Wayne Tyson Sent: Monday, 22 May, 2006 21:10 To: [email protected] Subject: Re: Environmentalist definition? Re: env science programs I am impressed with, and thankful for, all of the responses to my question. I was recently (since I asked the question) encouraged to see some examples of "environmentalists" that are actually DOING something ("Edens Lost and Found") on my local public TV station. None of them claimed to be scientists, but all were "activists." And not a whiner in the bunch. As to "environmental scientist," I hope that today's students and graduates actually DO science, or make clear that their environmental science degree qualifies them as, for example, a synthesizer of scientific research, a highly useful occupation that, I hope, uses scientific/intellectual discipline and thus is primarily concerned with integrating science with the rest of us in ultimately or immediately useful ways. I hope, but I don't know. As for the "whiners," they certainly affect the way science, particularly ecology, seems to be interpreted by "US." That is, even "beer-can" "ecologists" can be useful in gaining attention to greater and lesser environmental issues. This is not to say that the matter of "whining" does not have its negative effects, even to the extent of producing the backlash that transmogrifies the meaning into a mere label of derision. That true ecology suffers from such terms as "the" ecology, is an unfortunate "side" effect of the spirit of self-righteous contempt in which much environmental whining is done. There is much repair of the warp and woof of the substance of ecology needed for a number of reasons, but just how it is conveyed to "the public" is perhaps the unkindest rip of all. While it is unfortunate that "image" counts for more than substance in the actual world of human behavior, I hope that more environmentalists will become weavers than rippers. I particularly salute those "environmentalists" who, rather than cut my throat for a few bucks, trudge daily, scavenging through the streets and alleys, thence with shopping carts, bicycles and all manner of contraptions, bulging with plastic bags full of cans and bottles, to the recycling centers. While they may not have much direct effect on "real" ecology, their spirit, and that of those who care enough to raise hell about their own immediate impression of "the ecology," perhaps needs better guidance by, and respect from, the ecological elite. Just some musings . . . Thanks to all of you--who obviously care enough to participate in this vibrant email community, weaving, even spinning, but mostly sharing, sharp insights and broad underpinnings for the great tapestry of life, even in the midst of cultural absurdities. WT Perhaps a replacement term, or set of terms, is needed to take the place of those so sullied by popular misuse if not misrepresentation as to be ineffective or even counterproductive?
