[Philosop] Wildfire Ethics: A Handbook CFA/CFP

[Jeff McLaughlin]

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of UL Lafayette. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe.

---

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to put out a call for paper abstracts for possible inclusion in a volume entitled: Wildfire Ethics: A Handbook. (final title to be determined). We are seeking original, unpublished, high-quality papers from academics, researchers and professionals that examine the myriad theoretical, conceptual, and practical issues arising from the increasing intersection of wildfires and ethics.

As more intense and severe wildfires increase in frequency, their impact upon the world will continue to grow. We aim for this to be a significant resource on wildfire ethics for students, government, NGOs, professionals and more. Thus, it will be important to provide well-written concise articles from experts in relevant fields who can contribute to shaping our understanding of ethical beliefs and appropriate responses and actions related to wildfire ethics. Topics are grouped under eight categories:

· Ethical Theory and Responsibilities

· Prevention, Preparedness & Mitigation

· Response, Suppression & Operational Priorities

· Evacuation, Public Health & Community Care

· Property, Insurance & Economic Justice

· Culture, Indigenous Knowledge & Rights

· Biodiversity, Restoration & Rewilding

· Technology, Data, AI & Media Ethics

** Since it is not possible to attach files, you will find the extensive list of potential topics at the end of this message.**

As we have more than one publisher interested, we would like to request your abstract/s (250 – 400 words each) along with a short CV by April 30th.

Given the nature of the book, full articles are expected to be relatively short, (i.e., 2500-5000 words). However, there may be some justification for one or two longer pieces. Moreover, depending upon the number of successful submissions, we may have two volumes. If you wish to propose a different topic or a variation upon one already listed, we would be happy to consider it. With all this in mind, we encourage you to consider submitting more than one separate abstract! Furthermore, submissions with multiple authors are welcome.

The editors of the collection are:

Dr. Jeff McLaughlin, Professor of Philosophy

Dr. Mike Flannigan, BC Innovation Research Chair in Predictive Services, Emergency Management and Fire Science

Dr. Cordy Tymstra, Adjunct Professor and CEO Whitebark and Sage Wildfire Science and Management Inc.

Thank you!

Wildfire Ethics: A Handbook

1) Ethical Theory and Responsibilities

1.    What different ethical schools say about wildfire management.

2.    Corporate social responsibility (esp. logging companies) and wildfires.

3.    Personal virtues and identity in firefighting.

4.    Do we have moral obligations to rescue wildlife/livestock/pets from wildfires?

5.    Applying the Golden Mean to fire leaders and ground crews.

6.    The role of ethics in risk assessment.

7.    What ethical principles should be used when smoke crosses international borders?

8.    How to teach the public about the values of wildfire.

9.    Teaching children about fire safety without creating anxiety.

10.   Are values across science and policy consistent?

11.   What current wildfire approaches reveal about what we value.

12.   Ethical decision making in the past – influences and barriers.

13.   Should trees have moral or legal rights?

14.   What is appropriate punishment for intentional/unintentional fire starters?

15.   Ethical evaluations of international strategies and assistance.

2) Prevention, Preparedness & Mitigation

1.    Wildfire prevention incentives versus regulations.

2.    Is enforcing fire smartness approaches the right way to go?

3.    What is the role of insurance before/after a wildfire?

4.    Planning ahead and creating future safe public places for displaced persons.

5.    Should preemptive burning that causes heavy smoke be supported or halted?

6.    Is the cost of preventative measures ever too much?

7.    Should more proactive models or 'wait and see' approaches be taken?

8.    Balancing private property with enforcing fire reduction policies.

9.    Should we alter all natural environments that are potential fire hazards?

10.   Developing codes of ethics for people/backpackers entering the woods.

11.   Accepting wildfires as a part of modern life.

12.   Wildfires as friend or foe – do labels make a difference on changing behaviour?

3) Response, Suppression & Operational Priorities

1.    Real case study controversies regarding open fire bans and wildfire responses.

2.    How do we decide when to prioritize protecting homes and communities over         allowing fires to burn in their natural role in the ecosystem?

3.    Making hard choices between saving neighbourhoods that have been proactive with         buffer zones or those which ignored warnings.

4.    Should remote and/ or natural fires be allowed to burn while local and/or

        human-caused ones are put out?

5.    What risk to human life is permissible when assessing appropriate responses to         wildfire?

6.    When, if ever, should we call in the military for ground support in managing wildfires?

7.    Is it unethical to rely upon untrained firefighting volunteers?

8.    Should the wealthy be permitted to pay for private fire-fighting teams?

9.    What standards should be in place if considering using vulnerable groups (e.g.,         prisoners) as wildfire fighters?

10.   Should private citizens be allowed to protect their own homes?

11.   How do we morally assess poor decision making in the heat of the moment?

12.   Courage and wisdom as moral virtues required by leaders and crew members.

4) Evacuation, Public Health & Community Care

1.    Ethical issues surrounding mandatory evacuations.

2.    Ethical post-evacuation and re-entry approaches.

3.    Should we prioritize respiratory care during heavy smoke events?

4.    The ethics of mandatory masking during heavy wild fire smoke days..

5.    The ethics of imposing restrictions upon activities during prolonged smoke periods

6.    Assessing the value of providing fire services to remote communities.

7.    What obligations are there toward displaced persons due to wildfires?

8.    What is just for esstential and outdoor workers impacted by heavy smoke days?

9.    What are the special issues that surround supporting/evacuating/rebuilding lower         income and remote communities.

10.   What is just treatment for childcare, senior care, and women regarding evacuation         and compensation.

5) Property, Insurance & Economic Justice

1.    What is the proper role of insurance companies in recognizing FireSmart/Firewise         certifications?

2.    What is the proper role of insurance companies supporting communities in high-risk         zones?

3.    What roles should insurance companies play before, during, and after a wildfire         event?

4.    Balancing water consumption with fighting fires.

5.    Balancing clean water protections with using chemicals to suppress fires.

6.    Should smaller/more vulnerable communities have priority over larger/wealthier         ones?

7.    Should more taxes be earmarked for wildfire protection (at the cost of other public         goods)?

8.    How do we determine the best use of human/financial resources during wildfire         season?

9.    Is it ethical to risk human lives to save luxuries?

10.   Allowing new housing developments in interface zones.

11.   Balancing growing population and housing needs with protecting the wild.

12.   Should artificial nature zones be created around /within urban boundaries?

13.   What are the moral responsibilities of private property owners who live within

        high-risk zones?

14.   Ethical analysis of property owner’s expectations after a fire.

6) Culture, Indigenous Knowledge & Rights

1.    Are there Indigenous knowledge practices that could/should be included in wildfire         management?

2.    How do we ethically deal with traditional or cultural activities that may risk creating         wildfires?

3.    What are cultural and religious views regarding human obligations to the wild (and         can we learn from them)?

4.    Taking culturally sensitive approaches with Indigenous and small community         evacuations.

5.    Comparing and contrasting international, traditional, and cultural approaches to         wildfire events.

7) Biodiversity, Restoration & Rewilding

1.    Ethical concerns regarding planting/replanting using non-native fire-resistant         trees/plants.

2.    Biodiversity and letting new plants take over in fire-swept areas.

3.    Should natural disaster sites be restored to their former status?

4.    What counts as 'original states' of nature (e.g., 100 years ago? 200)?

5.    Does caring about nature require letting nature take its course?

6.    Should conservation or preservation philosophies guide our decision making.

7.    Rare individual plants or common species? Which matters more?

8.    Should/do any denizens of nature have moral or legal rights in wildfire events?

9.    Should we protect beautiful landscapes over ugly ones during wildfire events?

10.   Changing people (esp. property owners) perceptions of what is beautiful, natural, and         appropriate.

8) Technology, Data, AI & Media Ethics

1.    What should we be worried about regarding using AI to make predictions and         decisions?

2.    Sharing weather satellite and various technology resources with other nations.

3.    How to combat social media misinformation and disinformation.

4.    What is media's proper role in emergency situations.

5.    Combating wildfire sensationalism.

6.    Media and privacy concerns regarding victims and communities.

7.    How far should we go with weather/planet-altering technologies to combat wildfires?

Sincerely, Jeff

Dr. Jeff McLaughlin Ph.D.

Professor of Philosophy

Department of Philosophy, History and Politics

Thompson Rivers University

945 University Drive #335

Kamloops BC

V2C 0C8

jmcla...@tru.ca

 

Thompson Rivers University campuses are on the traditional lands of the Tk'emlúps te Secwépemc (Kamloops campus) and the T’exelc (Williams Lake campus) within Secwepemcúl’ecw, the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwépemc. The region TRU serves also extends into the territories of the St’át’imc, Nlaka’pamux, Nuxalk, Tŝilhqot'in, Dakelh, and Syilx peoples.