Biodiversity, the Environment, Animal Welfare and Human Well-being 75
Section 5 of the One Welfare framework explores the links between envir-
onmental and conservation issues, animal welfare and human well-being.
It includes compassionate conservation, aesthetics in the landscape, the im-
pacts of decreased biodiversity, animal–environment conflicts and genetic
diversity as support for increased global well-being.
There are countless links between animal welfare, human well-being,
conservation, biodiversity and the environment. This section is closely
connected to Section 3; however, it focuses on the wider and more global
aspects related to conservation, beyond livestock. Overall it captures im-
portant topics relevant for the future success of sustainable development
goals across the world that are not fully addressed elsewhere.
Preserving nature is key to the survival of humanity and our planet.
Social aspects such as cultural values or the aesthetics of the landscape (e.g.
animals as part of the landscape) strongly influence this area. More tech-
nical and economic factors are also involved: for example, the decrease in
biodiversity and genetic diversity (which will make it difficult to increase
food production and productivity worldwide), or the connections between
livestock and greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Case Study 18 – Building ‘Sumak Kawsay’ in Equatorial Amazon Kichwa
communities (by Arturo Hortas, adapted from Hortas, 2017a,b)
Indigenous people conceive the idea that all beings share the same essence, the
same principles of action and the same origin. Based on this principle, we could
conclude that we all form part of the same, large community.
The Kichwa villages of Pastaza (Ecuadorian Amazon) consider that the territory
they inhabit is fundamental to develop their way of life. In their organization of
territorial space there are three principles that govern their worldview:
- Sumak Allpa (Land without evil): the living space that a community shares in
harmony with nature and the Supai, protective spirits that inhabit it.
- Sumak Kawsay (Life in harmony): according to the Amazon Kichwa vision,
Sumak Kawsay means life in harmony or life in fullness with all the beings of
the Ayllu. The Ayllu refers to the family, but not only the human family; it also
includes all the living beings of the jungle. The Ayllu group forms the community
and the set of communities, the ancestral villages.
- Sacha Runa Yachay (ancestral knowledge): refers to the set of ancestral knowledge
that the inhabitants of the Ayllu possesses.
To maintain harmony with their environment in a sustainable way and to
achieve Sumak Kawsay it is paramount to have plenty of vegetation and animals.
As part of their lifestyle a forest management system known as chakra-ushun-
purun is in place; this aims to sustain biodiversity, with a large variety of food,
medicine, timber, craft and wildlife.
Testimonies from a member of this community helps us to understand these
concepts:
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