A new Perspective

Deep ecology places humans as a part of the global ecosystem that is equal to other aspects of the ecosystem rather than retaining humans higher above other species. Its’ principles state that there is a need for wilderness preservation, human population control, and the simple living of humans. Advocates of deep ecology believe that the world is not in existence as a resource to be freely oppressed by humans, rather it focuses on the notion that mankind has caused nature to fade and become less available within our society.

The integrities of deep ecology hold that a whole system is superior to any of its’ parts, furthermore striving to conclude that when humans annihilate other species of the ecosystem, the ecosystem will become unbalanced. The ecosystem needs all species and humans alike, working together. I intend on addressing the sense of whether deep ecology should be the new framework for guiding human actions. Currently, deep ecology has been described as a political and philosophical radical branch of environmentalism. It is marked by a hatred or scorn for humankind. Deep ecology portrays humanity as a pathological infestation on the earth. I anticipate that through the academic scholarly research I will be conducting, it will become clear whether deep ecology is correct in their proclamations about humankind.

In order to fully engage within this question, I will strive to define what deep ecology is and how it can be viewed as a political and philosophical radical branch of environmentalism. From here, I will address different viewpoints of other ecologists about humans’ effect on nature, and how these ideas relate to or refute the ideas of deep ecology. I am apprehensive to see how my viewpoint of nature...

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...thin his manuscript Deep Ecology, (of which he dedicated to Gary Snyder), that the answer to realization lies in the hands of Deep Ecology and its’ principles. The most crucial element of Deep Ecology is understanding that it is “emerging as a way of developing a new balance and harmony between individuals, communities and all of Nature” (Devall 7); furthermore, coinciding with the statement indicated previously, to be able to consider humans a essential part of nature and the ecosystem.

In order to “cultivate [our] ecological consciousness” (Devall 8), we must “work on ourselves” through the process of “learning to appreciate silence and solitude and rediscovering how to listen” (Devall 8). As humans, we must be able to listen to what the earth now requires from us. Humans have become so absorbed in their own doings that earth necessities have been ignored.