Last Haven: a citizen science project on nature, humanity and difficult choices
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What happens when the last known habitat for an endangered species stands in the way of vital human development? Last Haven, a study led by researchers at the Department of Psychiatry, is examining this dilemma to better understand where people draw the line between nature conservation and human priorities.
The Last Haven project presents participants with different scenarios: imagine the only remaining habitat for tigers is under threat from a lucrative agricultural initiative, or conversely, a hospital being dismantled to create a sanctuary for endangered plants. These hypothetical, thought-provoking cases challenge people to consider their values and beliefs when faced with competing priorities.
Dr Edmond Awad, Lead Researcher, Last HavenThe trade-offs between conserving endangered species and developing land for human use have real and serious consequences for both nature and for human health and wellbeing. Last Haven explores how people reason through difficult choices using simplified, hypothetical scenarios. By doing this, we aim to understand the underlying values and priorities that shape and drive how people balance human wellbeing and the wellbeing of the natural world.
By exploring these tensions, Last Haven seeks to uncover how individuals and communities weigh ecological preservation against tangible human benefits. The project also raises timely questions about how we, as a society, perceive the value of non-human life in an era marked by climate change and biodiversity loss.