Some Dangers for Ecology on the Way to Becoming a Profession

From EIANZ Wiki

Australian Journal of Ecology (1984) 9, 301-308

Viewpoint

Some dangers for ecology on the way to becoming a profession -

Mark Westoby

Abstract

Environmental impact legislation demands that someone should supply informed advice on particular environmental problems, but does not specify who should do it. Ecologists have felt frustrated when watching others give bad advice and collect good paychecks, and have looked enviously towards well-established professions such as engineering, medicine or law. These archetypal professions exert control over professional consulting. They have standard minimum qualifications, with the result that the training process is also standardised. They have codes with define ethical behaviour, and procedures for disciplining those that break the codes. They seem to have achieved a wholesome condition in which the public gets competent, reliable service and members of the profession get prestige and a good living. So within the ecological societies of many countries, pressure has built up for ecology to be established as a regular profession. The Ecological Society of America has already established certification procedures. The history of those professions which are now well-established shows that there are dangers, both to the science and to the public, in the process of professionalisation. Here I will outline some of this history, and point out some dangers ecology may face.