Naturgitte

Naturgitte is a term used in some Nordic discussions to describe resources, traits, or conditions that are treated as given by nature rather than produced by human activity. The word appears to be a Norwegian neologism formed from natur (nature) and a form meaning 'given'; it has surfaced in environmental ethics, public policy debates, and science communication since the late 20th century.

Naturgitte refers to natural endowments or constraints that are perceived as preconditions for human action and that are not the result of deliberate creation, design, or intervention. Examples include climate, land fertility, freshwater availability, and certain ecosystem services that policymakers or researchers treat as background conditions to be accommodated rather than redesigned.

Usage: In debates on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management, naturgitte is used to mark the line between what is viewed as a natural given and what is subject to human intervention through technology, policy, or management.

Relation to other concepts: The term overlaps with ideas of natural capital, ecosystem services, and social-ecological systems, but emphasizes the given or preexisting nature of certain conditions rather than their instrumental value.

Criticism: Critics argue that the dichotomy between natural givenness and human construction can obscure historical responsibility, power dynamics, and the potential for deliberate change. It may also risk naturalizing inequalities or discouraging adaptive responses in the face of environmental change.

See also: natural capital, ecosystem services, environmental ethics, nature-society relations.