Brechin, et al. believe there is insignificant attention paid to the political process in biodiversity conservation and what they refer to as “people oriented” conservation efforts, including community-based conservation. Since the areas considered biodiversity “hot spots” are also social and political “hotbeds”, often featuring high levels of poverty, insecure land tenure, and unstable political systems, it is essential for conservation programs to address these issues if they are to be successful and sustainable. Not doing so, the authors say, can exacerbate social justice problems rather than alleviate them. Additionally, the debate on biodiversity protection has evolved around a false dichotomy: pro-nature versus pro-people. The authors stress that since conservation is a human organizational process, the goal of biodiversity protection (pro-nature) depends on the strength and commitment of people. And conclude with suggestions to develop conservation programs that are people and nature oriented, address the social and political context in which they operate, and to bring about programs that are not only effective and sustainable but pragmatic, moral and just.

Prepared by: Erin Smith