Already called it – the best new band name I’ve thought of in months. Trademark copyright registered no tradesies.
I think most would agree that a (safe) seed bank is a good idea, a good answer to a post-apocalyptic scenario and compromised biodiversity. And we all know environmentalists love apocalyptic scenarios, as it seems to be the only way they can inform/scare the public about (often) worthwhile causes.
Biodiversity is a sticky pot. I would agree that the soft science hypothesis of James Lovelock and his Gaia theory holds some water. I think most agree and know that we are directly connected to our natural environment, to our flora and fauna. Food webs, food supply, and a strong economic reliance on our living environment are the reasons for this interrelatedness. However like everything else, even “professionals” in the field (ie. mostly conservation biologists) do not put on the big picture hats enough. Often they are proprietors of their own values and interests, just like anyone else with a worthy cause. This shouldn’t belittle the worthy parts of the message, but easier said than done. Of course there are issues with how our landscape is impacted from things like deforestation, overfishing, and agronomy. But is it worth trying to save Madagascar monkeys because of a changing climate? No legit scientist can tell you how humans have quantitatively contributed to climate change. To me that is much less relevant than the fact that it is changing.
So. Things are changing. Whatcha want? To me, the undercurrent to a lot of this discussion on biodiversity (especially when linked to issues like climate change) is simply people noticing dying or endangered species, seeing cute eyes, and in turn trying to control extremely powerful natural forces, many of which are likely impossible to control. Think of Lucy trying to eat candies on the conveyor belt. I’m all for protecting what the world needs, but unless our global desire towards increasing development reverses, I will care much less about the monkeys in Madagascar. We aren’t going to win many “battles” with nature, sorry duds. Seed banks seem like a good fail safe for what will likely be a safe fail.
