Fair Space Sharing
Finding the Balance Between Humans and Nature
Section titled “Finding the Balance Between Humans and Nature”To survive, humans have taken possession of a large part of the land and made use of animals. This was likely necessary for the species to survive. But human development has likely made this situation unnecessary, and undesirable.
Continuous growth is reaching its limit: taking more land and using more animals no longer makes our lives meaningfully better. We are also starting to realise that caring about animals and nature gives us something back: feelings of recognition and empathy, and the chance for adventure and surprise when observing wildlife in its natural environment.
Humans should therefore stop the unfair use of animals and divide space equitably with nature.
What a Fair Split Needs to Respect
Section titled “What a Fair Split Needs to Respect”How land should be divided is open to debate, but some general considerations stand out:
- Wildlife needs large, safe spaces in which to live freely.
- Some wildlife is dangerous, and people need protection from it.
- Human needs must be met with as little impact on wildlife as possible.
HappyBein’s Proposed Direction
Section titled “HappyBein’s Proposed Direction”This is a long-term target to discuss, not a finished plan.
- Humans use a fixed share of the land, for instance 20–30% over time, concentrated in human hubs.
- The hubs are separated from wild land, by fences with gates so people can still pass through and visit nature.
- The hubs are connected by transport designed to be as transparent as possible for wildlife, so animals can move freely and safely across the land between them.
- Animals people own today would either be released into the wild, accepting a period of risk until a natural balance is re-established, or their reproduction would be gradually limited.
- Humans can help wildlife thrive in a greener nature, for example with shelters and access to drinking water.
Some things would remain to be solved later. Insects and birds would still share our hubs, as they already do today.
From Long-Term Target to Today
Section titled “From Long-Term Target to Today”This proposal is a direction rather than a switch to flip. Each short-term action can bring it closer:
- eating more plant-based food, which frees farmland
- supporting rewilding and protected areas
- choosing compact, well-connected places to live
Related
Section titled “Related”- Earth Land — View per Individual: how much land each person has today, and what it is used for.
- Plant-Based Consumption: the biggest lever for releasing land to nature.
- Fair Globe Sharing: the other side of fair sharing, between people.
- Vision & Roadmap: where this fits in the overall direction.