Student: Karli Uwaine
Graduation date: May 2020
Type: Area of Interest (double major)
Date approved: November 2017
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Summary
In February 2007, the American Bird Conservancy declared that the forests of the Hawaiian Islands are the most threatened bird habitat in the United States. An astonishing diversity of plants and animals have evolved in the Hawaiian Islands, from a relatively small number of colonist species. For example, more than 50 species of Hawaiian honeycreepers evolved from only one common ancestor. These remote islands provide home to more than 10,000 native species, over 90% found nowhere else on earth (Hawai’i Wildlife Center, 2017). Regrettably, many of the characteristics of these species that make them unique, also make them vulnerable when their environment changes. Most of the native forests and natural wetlands that predated the arrival of man to Hawai’i have been converted for agriculture and other human uses. Additionally, a diverse array of non-native plants, insects, grazing animals and mammalian predators have been introduced to these islands. More than half of the native bird and plant species known to science in these islands are now extinct, never to return (Hawai’i Wildlife Center, 2017). It is very important that an arrest to the decline of Hawai’i’s native species is made in order to stop the invasion and spread of non-native species to protect what remains of the habitat that supports these species.
This concentration theme will be very personal to me because not only is it based off of topics that I am truly passionate about, but it is focused specifically on the Hawaiian Islands, which is my home and a place that I love dearly. In my concentration, I will explore the different endangered species on the Hawaiian Islands and the different laws that were created to protect these endangered species or even actions that weren’t made, therefore putting them at risk. I will also focus on the issue of philosophy and ethics, like the relationship between human and nonhuman actors.
The relationship between humans and nonhuman actors such as animals is very complex due to the endless possibilities of ideas and viewpoints, whether it may be from a philosophical or biological standpoint. Some argue that there is a specific answer that can distinguish humans from the rest of the natural world. Many of those who accept this answer are interested in justifying certain human practices towards nonhuman practices that cause pain, discomfort, suffering, and death (Gruen, 2017). This group of people expect that in answering the question in a particular way, humans will be justified in granting moral consideration to other humans that is neither required nor justified when considering nonhuman animals. In contrast to this view, an increasing number of philosophers have argued that while humans are different in a variety of ways from each other and animals, these differences do not provide a philosophical defense for denying nonhuman animals moral consideration (Gruen, 2017). What the basis of moral consideration is and what it amounts to has been the source of much disagreement.
The Hawaiian Islands display a rich biodiversity arising from a variety of factors, including the remoteness of the islands, millions of years of isolation, varying amounts of rainfall, diverse topography, and the pattern of volcanic activity (State of Hawai’i, 2017). This biodiversity includes a high percentage of endemic plants and animals. The high level of endemism means that for many species, the responsibility for their continued existence is solely up to us. This is true for both extremely rare species, such as the O’ahu tree snails Achatinella, as well as for more common species, such as the forest bird ‘Apapane (Himatione sanguinea). As defined within our current epoch, humans are the most important actors involved in determining biodiversity levels (Steffen et al. 2007). This presupposes that maybe humans could play a beneficial role in biodiversity, bringing ecosystems to a point that would otherwise been unattainable (Gallardo et al. 2012).
On the Hawaiian Islands, there are a numerous amount of laws and regulations that protect its native species. For example, it is unlawful for any person to “take” an endangered or threatened species of aquatic life, wildlife, or land plant. “Take” means to harass, harm, pursue, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect endangered or threatened species of aquatic life or wildlife, or to cut, collect, uproot, destroy, injure, or possess endangered or threatened species of aquatic life or land plants, or to attempt to engage in any such conduct (State of Hawai’i, 2017). When development projects or land management activities cannot avoid take of endangered or threatened species, the landowner may seek an Incidental Take License (ITL) from the Department for take of threatened or endangered species, if such take is incidental to an otherwise lawful activity. Even though there are hundreds of laws regarding endangered species in the islands, what about the lack thereof? In the absence of judicial authority, and in the view of the conflicting interpretations under state practice, it is difficult to establish the parameters or the precise international legal status of each general principle/rule. The application of each principle in relation to a particular activity or incident, and its consequences, must be considered on the facts and circumstances of each case, having regard to several factors, including: the source of the principle; the particular activity at issue; the other consequences of the activity; and the circumstances in which it occurs (Sands, 2012). In each case, however, the principle or rule has broad support and is reflected in extensive state practice through repetitive use or reference in an international legal context. The questioning and rethinking of the relationship of human beings with the natural environment over the last thirty years reflected an already widespread perception in the 1960s that the late twentieth century faced a human population explosion as well as a serious environmental crisis (Brennan, 2016).
An examination of historical trends and specific patterns throughout the Hawaiian Islands leads to many interesting findings, and I plan to focus on the ways in which we can move forward, to ensure a better future for Hawai’i’s endangered species. It is important to examine the ways in which we can reduce the declining trend of these native species. At the crossroads of these topics, however, there is a lot of room for debate and opinionated solutions. The key questions that I ask below will hopefully lead us in the right direction towards clearing up the uncertainty and shining the light on demonstrating relationships between law and policy, biodiversity, environmental philosophy and animal welfare in regards to Hawai’i’s endangered species.
Citations:
Brennan, Andrew, and Yeuk-Sze Lo. 2016. “Environmental Ethics.” In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Edward N. Zalta, Winter 2016. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/win2016/entries/ethics-environmental/.
“Endangered Species: The Road to Recovery.” 2014. Hawai‘i Wildlife Center. October 17. Accessed November 10, 2017. http://www.hawaiiwildlifecenter.org/endangered-species.html.
Gallardo, Belinda, Álvaro Cabezas, Eduardo Gonzalez, and Franciso A. Comín. 2012. “Effectiveness of a Newly Created Oxbow Lake to Mitigate Habitat Loss and Increase Biodiversity in a Regulated Floodplain.” Restoration Ecology 20 (3): 387–94.
Gruen, Lori. 2017. “The Moral Status of Animals.” In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Edward N. Zalta, Fall 2017. Metaphysics Research Lab, Stanford University. https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/fall2017/entries/moral-animal/.
Sands, Phillipe. n.d. Principles of International Environmental Law. Accessed September 14, 2017. https://books.google.com/books/about/Principles_of_International_Environmenta.html?id=Cz8hAwAAQBAJ.
“Species of Greatest Conservation Need.” 2013. Wildlife Programs. September 5, 2013. http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/wildlife/hswap/cwcs/hawaii/species/.
Questions
- Descriptive: What are the different meanings that people attribute to animals? To what extent do people attribute meanings that serve different purposes to animals? What ethical approach is evident through these meanings? How do these meanings differ by place (Hawai’i vs. the rest of the U.S.)?
- Explanatory: Why do people have different meanings that attribute to animals? Why is there still a continuous decline in Hawai’i’s native species despite all of the laws that are current to protect them? In what ways does this decline relate or not to the meanings that people attribute to animals?
- Evaluative: Are all of these meanings morally defensible? Are they questionable because of some more inherent worth? What are the pros and cons of different ethical approaches towards these meanings? How do cultural differences (between, for example, the Hawaiian islands and the rest of the United States) lead to differences in the welfare of animals, especially endangered species?
- Instrumental: Are there any possible ways to change the meanings that people attribute to animals? How do we ensure a better future for animals, especially the Hawaiian native species? How do we best frame the interests of animals, so that minimum standards are most easily adaptable by the legal system and by general society?
Arts and humanities courses
- HIST 261 (Global Environmental History, 4 credits). Pre-approved A&H course; no justification required.
- PHIL 215 (Philosophy and the Environment, 4 credits). Pre-approved A&H course; no justification required.