Human Agency and Ecology

Abstract

A precondition for understanding current ecology is to understand how human agency influences ecology . In this chapter we describe the world-changing effects of human agency. A key notion in this context is the ‘Anthropocene’, the geological epoch in which human agency predominates as a causal factor. Drawing on Umwelt theory, we explain how human agency can work as a driver of environmental change. Special attention is given to the ecological function of human–animal assemblages and other human–animal complexes, since it is primarily by way of utilization of animals that humans have a dominant impact on ecosystems. The descriptive part of the chapter is followed by a normative part focused on how environmental sustainability can be achieved and how animal welfare can be improved. In our view, achieving environmental sustainability requires societal transformations that can be modelled using Umwelt theory. The semiotic agency of human beings must in this context be approached from different angles simultaneously and take both semiotic and efficient causation into account. An implication of our perspective is that socio-ecological transformations must align with coordinated socio-cultural transformations. For instance, human values and identity (features of the human Innenwelt) must change for human perception and practices (features of the human Umwelt) to change. With regard to animal welfare, we discuss both farm and wildlife settings, and emphasize the importance of facilitating the animals’ autonomy and needs-fulfilment.