NEWEST BOOK – Revoyage of the Mayflower: Societal Values – Conservation’s Driving Force
What does the Mayflower have to do with wildlife conservation?
The Mayflower has everything to do with wildlife conservation in the US because it was those early European colonizers that established the values system for how the natural world would be treated as colonization expanded across the continent. Would living creatures be treated with respect in line with worldview of the indigenous peoples? Would it be abused because of its abundance or disrespect for its worth? Regrettably, a trajectory more in line with the latter perspective is what transpired resulting in the extinction of eight bird species, with many, many more becoming endangered or threatened.
One might argue that this was inevitable, but I suggest it certainly was not. My new book, Revoyage of the Mayflower: Societal Values – Conservation’s Driving Force, explains that had Hindus rather than Pilgrims been aboard the Mayflower, few if any of North America’s extinct birds would now be lost to us. Most, if not all, would still survive. This is because Hindus believe that all animals possess a soul and are worthy of respect.
Consequently, if we look at India, inhabited primarily by Hindus, in the country’s 5,000 year history (compared to 400 for the US) only one bird species, the pink-headed duck, is known to have become extinct. And the cause of that extinction is unknown, unlike the instances in the US where six of the eight extinct species are known to have succumbed due to human impacts, particularly over-exploitation.
If this topic interests you, I think you will find Revoyage of the Mayflower quite appealing. I welcome your thoughts in the comments below.
Revoyage of the Mayflower: Societal Values – Conservation’s Driving Force, my newest book is available for purchase on Amazon now.