ZYGO Zygon® 0591-2385 1467-9744 10.1111/j.1467-9744.1993.tb01047.x RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ON THE HOME PLANET Rolston Holmes 02 12 1993 28 4 10.1111/zygo.1993.28.issue-4 425 439

Abstract. Earth is the home planet, right for life. But rights, a notable political category, is, unfortunately, a biologically awkward word. Humans, nonetheless, have rights to a natural environment with integrity. Humans have responsibilities to respect values in fauna and flora. Appropriate survival units include species populations and ecosystems. Increasingly the ultimate survival unit isglobal; and humans have a responsibility to the planet Earth. Human political systems are not well suited to protect life atglobal ranges. National boundaries ignore important ecologicalprocesses; national policies do not favor an equitable distribution of sustainable resources. But there are signs of hope.

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