# Planetary Stewardship **Domain:** Ethics & Governance **Doc Type:** Concept Node **Classification:** Infrastructure Concept **Maturity:** established **Related:** [[Regenerative Systems]], [[Planetary Consciousness]], [[Ecological Justice]], [[Intergenerational Equity]], [[Natural Capital]] --- ## Definition **Planetary Stewardship** denotes an ethical framework and governance model positioning humanity as responsible custodian of Earth's biophysical and social systems. It emphasizes **caretaking over exploitation**, **intergenerational accountability**, and **respect for ecological limits and non-human life**. Stewardship implies active management aligned with regenerative principles, acknowledging both human dependence on natural systems and human capacity to cause irreversible harm. --- ## General Context In environmental ethics and governance, stewardship represents a middle position between pure preservation (no human use) and unlimited extraction. It has deep roots in religious traditions, indigenous knowledge systems, and conservation biology. Modern stewardship incorporates scientific understanding of ecosystem dynamics and intergenerational justice. --- ## Theological and Philosophical Context [[articles/Pope Francis and the Evolution of Consciousness|Pope Francis's encyclicals]] position planetary stewardship as a spiritual imperative rooted in human dignity and ecological interconnection. --- ## Key Insight Stewardship reframes human purpose from domination to partnership with natural systems. It recognizes that human flourishing depends on ecological health and that sustainable prosperity requires deliberate management practices. --- ## See Also [[Environmental Ethics]], [[Conservation]], [[Sustainability]], [[Ecological Restoration]], [[Commons Governance]]