Biodiversity and overcoming the contemporary environmental crisis: A discussion on anthropocentric and ecosystem-based approaches to sustainable development

Abstract

Talking about the biosphere equilibrium, our society has been primarily focused on discussing anthropo- centered issues such as climate, greenhouse gas concentrations, levels of environmental pollution, to name a few. Processes occurring in nature have been marginalized too often in public policy debates. However, diminishing biodiversity and ecosystems degradation are at the core of the current ecological crisis. While perusing development, too often we forget that the Earth’s condition, which enables humans to thrive, is a product of the biosphere and its ecosystems; current human livelihoods are based on ecosystem services. The paper discusses the role which the biodiversity and ecosystems discourse should be playing in shaping the development and environmental policy debate across academic, social, and policy sectors. Refs 18. Figs 4.