Nature conservation, environmentalism, and animal advocacy

Laszlo ERDÖS (Graz): It is a common place that, in an environmental sense, we are at a critical point in history. Given the various types of destructions we face and the enormous diversity of humans who want to be part of the solution, it is no wonder that considerable differences exist among the different groups of the environmental movement. In this presentation, I define the three directions of the environmental movement: (1) nature conservation, (2) environmentalism, and (3) animal advocacy. In addition, I examine their main goals, ethical foundations, and historical backgrounds. Finally, I examine their relationship, focusing on overlaps and areas where co-operation would be most promising. If conservationists, environmentalists and animal advocates join forces, perhaps there will be some reason for optimism.