Homo Ecophagus: A species who devours global ecosystems
The human species now has all the major characteristics of a malignant process. We must stop our terrifying destruction of other species and the ecosystems in which we and they must survive before it is too late.
MARC BEKOFF: Many authors, ranging from academics, to other professionals, to nature lovers of all ages, are deeply concerned that we are on a rapid and unstoppable downward spiral and heading toward the decimation or demise of vital environs and their nonhuman residents and their homes. Many of these people are not merely “downers” about what is happening but also offer hope for better futures for all animals, nonhuman and human, and flora, all of which are being globally harmed…
I recently read Dr. Warren Hern’s fascinating book Homo Ecophagus: A Deep Diagnosis to Save the Earth and was taken in by accolades from diverse and renowned researchers and his unique physician’s view—basically doing a differential diagnosis—of what we are doing to our planet and how we can change our ways from the point of view of a practicing physician. I’m thrilled Warren could answer a few questions…
MB: What are some of the topics you weave into your book and what are some of your major messages?
WH: This book is really the fulfillment of over 50 years of studying this idea and these relationships that have become an existential threat to the survival of the human species but more than that, to our functioning biosphere and millions of other species with whom we share the planet Earth. Writing the book required me to see and explain all the facets of this in ways that other people can see and understand what I am saying. I also learned a lot, and much of it was alarming. It’s worse than I thought.
Essentially, this book presents a new view and concept of the human species per se and within the context of the global biosphere in which we live. We are not separate from the ecosystem. We are part of it, and we are destroying it as rapidly as possible. This means extinction for us and uncounted other species.
The human species now has all the major characteristics of a malignant process. We have become a new species, a superorganism, Homo ecophagus (“the man who devours the ecosystem”), that is in the process of converting all plant, animal, organic, and inorganic material on the planet to human biomass or its adaptive adjuncts and support systems. We are devouring the planet. We are destroying our home, the Earth. This is the definition of maladaptive.
It is critical to our survival not to mention the survival of all other species that we understand this dilemma that we have created and act now to stop this malignant process…
MB: Are you hopeful that as people learn more about how we can truly and deeply connect with wild animals they will come to treat animals and all of nature with more respect and dignity?
WH: Yes. There is nothing like being in a completely wild setting in a place undisturbed by human beings such as the Amazon rain forest, for example, to see, experience and admire the profound complexity and beauty of nature. Observing and understanding animals makes us acutely conscious of our shared experience and survival. We must value their survival as much as our own for moral reasons, but also because our own survival depends on this. We must stop our terrifying destruction of other species and the ecosystems in which we and they must survive before it is too late. SOURCE…
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