Two faces: The brain
in two spheres
For an inclusive decision-making process to benefit all Canadians rather than a privileged minority
By Georges R. Dupras
March 28, 2024
The natural environment
When “who you are” overwhelms “what you are”, you sacrifice, at the very least, your identity and, at the most, your soul.
The brain in two spheres best explains the two faces of mankind in environmental matters. Imagine if you will a sphere between two columns of equal dimension. One column is filled with current facts, theories, equations, and all that is analytical. For many, it is the dominant side of the brain, the depositary of everything logical, rational, scientific, pragmatic and anthropocentric. It is the pulse that defines who you are and complements the sphere.
There is, of course, another column. This one includes emotion, sensitivity, empathy, love, kindness, spirituality, responsibility, faith and anthropomorphism. It defines what you are. Everyone is gifted with some or more traits from each of the two columns. The column the individual is best able to identify with is the one that defines him. Recognizing where you fit gives you the advantage of self-confidence.
When excluded from decision-making processes simply because your perspective differs from those of ‘stakeholders,’ it is time to review the role of wildlife services in this country.
Guaranteed outcome
Assuming you are in the middle of a rather heated argument on a subject you feel passionate about but lack formal training in. The person you are in conflict with tables his views on the economic advantages of developing property that has environmental benefits. On the other hand, you argue for greater ecological benefits if the property is left in its wild state. Because development is the cornerstone of all that is economic and political, while the ecological argument comes from a completely different perspective, the ecological reasoning is dismissed.
Knowledge
When it surfaces that a layperson may lack the field knowledge that a hunter has, it might be wise to remember that the study of botany, forestry and wildlife behaviour requires a great depth of knowledge. As for photography, it necessitates infinitely more patience than that of dispatching a deer.
Exclusion
When excluded from decision-making processes simply because your perspective differs from those of “stakeholders,” it is time to review the role of wildlife services in this country. This year, and to my knowledge, several wildlife culls and possibly two eradication of species have occurred in British Columbia alone. Compound 1080* is still in use in Alberta, the cull of Cormorants in Ontario and the commercial seal hunt on the East Coast. These are but a few programs governed by Parks Canada, Fisheries and the various MNRs in this country – this without the knowledge or input of the general public.
‘I urge all who care for nature and work to protect biodiversity to contact their municipal, provincial and federal authorities, and encourage them to open decision-making processes** to benefit all Canadians rather than a privileged minority.’
What you can do
The point I’m trying to make is that there is room for both profiles at the table and that we are richer because of the two rather than the one. I urge all who care for nature and work to protect biodiversity to contact their municipal, provincial and federal authorities, and encourage them to open decision-making processes** to benefit all Canadians rather than a privileged minority.
*Compound 1080: Fluoroacetate is an organofluoride chemical with the compound FcH2CO2Na. It is a colourless salt used as a rodenticide. This poison is used primarily to kill so-called vermin species such as foxes, coyotes, wolves, etc.
** The felling of old-growth forests, fracking, tar sands, tailing ponds, etc.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of its author and do not reflect the opinions of WestmountMag.ca, its publishers or editors.
Feature image: White-tailed deer, by Aaron J Hill – Pexels
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Georges R. Dupras has advocated for animals for over fifty years. A member of the International Association for Bear Research and Management (IBA) and a past Board member of the Canadian SPCA, he worked on the original Save the Seal campaign in 1966 that culminated in the foundation of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) in 1969. Georges Dupras has published two books, Values in Conflict and the eBook Ethics, a Human Condition, and currently lives in Montreal, Canada.
Beautifully put. This unhealthy speciesism has many parallels with the last 4 years of Gov overreach. NZ is the largest user of 1080 poison. 70 years of ‘eradication’ policies that have become a gravy train: https://open.substack.com/pub/informedheart/p/nudge-units-mindspace-and-poisoning
Protection of our ecosystems and their inhabitants should be of concern to everyone. We humans are all stakeholders, but so are the animals and the entire natural world because they too have a vested interest in the sustainability of life. When Nature rebels against our destructive ways, it is time to listen and learn. Unfortunately, government agencies are slow to evolve but perceptive citizens can make a difference by speaking out and by electing leaders who are capable of making decisions that don’t involve destruction or cruelty.