In the past, you may have heard my claim that nature is fair and just in its dealings. A scientific education about the workings of natural systems, a career in conservation, and years navigating the wilderness on a sailboat led me to this conclusion. But recently, a friend challenged me on this notion evidencing the inequalities between species and genders and the unfair burdens put upon victims of natural disasters. Plus, humans–as part of nature–perpetuate injustices. She is not wrong. I must admit, my use of the terms “fair” and “just” with regard to nature is awkward. But, I stand by these imperfect words because to me they shine light on important facets of the wilderness all of us can rely upon and take comfort in. Let me explain.

In society, we achieve social justice when we evaluate and find balance between the rights of various individuals and groups. Being just is as much about accomplishing an ideal as it is about a way of life because subtle forms of exploitation, social injustice, stealing, and oppression abound. The small actions of individuals mass into trends we give names to, like “privilege,” “dominant culture,” and “super power.” Individuals and entire nations leverage strength and wealth to safeguard themselves from exploitation and oppression. But, as history reveals, the act of amassing power can exploit “others” in unjust ways. This is true of people operating at the individual, family, corporate, community, and national scale.

Natural systems work differently. Ecological niches and species specialization means each life form that  to prospers beyond a few generations has an ecological advantage. The very fact that so much  ecological diversity survives and thrives means power and wealth is–by nature–dispersed through cooperation. What’s more, nature does not discriminate when it comes to suffering or ease; it is an equal opportunity provider. So while animals, plants, or minerals are subject to natural disasters, no one is especially targeted for ruin. This absolute blind eye of fairness is a standard our criminal justice system can only aspire to attain.

In ecology, a supreme form of justice maintains balance in the works; this is “natural order.” For example, an ecosystem nourishing a population in run-away can only exist in its original state for a short time before the entire network of interdependent relationships transforms into something new. Nature resets to maintain equilibrium. This fact is what makes the human population now in run-away so dangerous; the unchecked byproducts of our actions–like CO2 emissions–destabilize the planet. Soon, our life-support system will transform into something far less hospitable to our life form. Nature will self-correct as it did when  conditions on earth changed dramatically for our earthly ancestors the dinosaurs. Nature will enter into a new perfect balance not because of the morality of a higher authority but because of the natural result of a population in unconscious run-away.

An awareness that nature delivers blind justice fairly across the board can inform daily action. As a sailor, I recognize nature’s “unpredictability” as predictable; it is up to me to read the signs of what is happening and act accordingly. If I don’t, I’ll suffer knock-downs, sea-sickness, and other punishing blows as a just reward for my hubris. As a citizen, I monitor society’s collective decisions and speak in favor of policies generating a healthy planetary continuation (a real pro-life agenda). As a consumer, I direct financial resources toward things that nourish and sustain the whole. As a homeowner and transportation user, limit my carbon footprint and use forms of renewable energy. I could go on.

My point: nature is blindly just and fair. So, individual and collective actions have consequences we can bank on. We cannot “plea-out” our unskillful ways in this justice arena; there is no jury to sway and we will not luck out with a lenient judge. And yet, we are fortunate to have clear options before us. Unlike the dinosaurs, the climate disaster threatening life on earth today is manmade. It is possible to avoid the full effects of harm and act in ways that sustain our life-supporting habitat. Because nature is just and fair, she will  not object to our continuation–so long as we honor and maintain her order.