The late biologist E. O. Wilson was more than just a naturalist.
Dr. Wilson was a pioneer in the synthesis of biology, sociology, evolution, and the promotion of ecological literacy for scholars and nature lovers of every kind and at every stage of life. He introduced Sociobiology, a synthesis of all we understand about social organisms and organizations.
Ecopsychology, just one field among many, is forever indebted to him.
The reality of biodiversity loss, direct extraction, pollution, over-harvesting, were summarized by E. O. Wilson over twenty years ago with the acronym: HIPPO.
H. for Habitat loss
I. for Invasive species
P. ( P number one) for Pollution
P. ( P number two) for Population forces
O. for Overharvesting.
We can not look at climate heating as a separate issue from loss of habitat, invasive species which alter land and seascapes, pollution, population impacts, or hunting, fishing, logging and mining — the overharvesting and consumption of Earth — as anything but interconnected.
Yet, when politicians or spokespersons speak about climate they often fail to mention these vital five points of HIPPO. For example, they often neglect to mention just how plastic pollution is but one specific example of threats to living systems. Or, they will talk about mining and logging industries being tied economically to dirty jobs (or hopefully clean jobs) and CO2, but not address the impact of wilderness loss, or socioeconomic failures that drive overharvesting.
Lately, droughts, heat-waves and pandemics are also hugely impactful to each point of HIPPO and to each person on Earth.
All of these destructive forces have continued despite growing public awareness. We can also now view lethal heat and destructive storms to the overall picture because their increasing frequency affects all five of the letters in HIPPO as well.
E.O. Wilson is a hero and inspiration to generations of biology, psychology and Earth lovers. If you are unfamiliar with his work, it is well worth your time to invest in the knowledge and passion he held which now resonates more than ever before.
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This post was previously published on medium.com.
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From The Good Men Project on Medium
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Photo credit: NEOM on Unsplash
