Recoverable Earth: a twenty-first century environmental narrative

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Conservation Biology
• Environmental Policy

Background:

• Twentieth-century environmental narratives often focused on nature's decline, catastrophic consequences, and the need for authoritative governance.
• These narratives shaped public understanding and societal responses to environmental issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the narrative structure of rewilding science and practice.
• To identify a new emerging environmental narrative and its implications for conservation.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing the origins of 20th-century environmental narratives.
• Analyzing the components and structure of rewilding narratives through engagement with science and practice.
• Comparing rewilding narrative structures with those of mental health accounts.

Main Results:

• Rewilding narratives exhibit a distinct structure, incorporating elements of despondency, awakening, action, and reassessment.
• This structure aligns with mental health recovery narratives, suggesting a focus on well-being.
• The emerging 'Recoverable Earth' narrative signifies a shift towards grassroots conservation and local empowerment.

Conclusions:

• The 'Recoverable Earth' narrative represents a significant evolution in environmental storytelling.
• This narrative empowers local conservationists to lead change and foster natural and social recovery.
• Rewilding, through this new narrative, promotes a more hopeful and actionable approach to conservation challenges.