Deep Ecology: Exploring Principles and Impacts on Society

This essay provides an overview of deep ecology, a philosophical and social movement that emerged during the ecological revolution. It explores the core tenets of deep ecology, including a shift from anthropocentric to geocentric norms, the importance of environmental awareness, and the preservation of indigenous knowledge and communities. The essay discusses various perspectives on deep ecology, such as the impact of Western civilization, the role of language and ritual, and the importance of ecological consciousness. It also examines the challenges of implementing deep ecology principles, including population growth, pollution, and consumption. Through an analysis of these points, the essay highlights the interconnectedness of human and non-human life and advocates for a synergistic approach to environmental stewardship.

Running head: DEEP ECOLOGY
Deep Ecology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Contents
Introduction:...............................................................................................................................2
Discussion:.................................................................................................................................2
Point 1: The Viable Human- Thomas Berry (p18).................................................................2
Point 2: Simple in Means, Rich in Ends: An interview with Arne Naess- Stephan Bodian
(p27).......................................................................................................................................2
Point 3: Recovery from Western Civilization- Chellis Glendanning (p32)...........................2
Point 4: Cultured or Crabbed- Gary Snyder (p37).................................................................3
Point 5: Ritual- The Pattern that Connects- Dolores La Chapelle (p42)................................3
Point 6: The Heart of Deep Ecology- Andrew Mc Laughlin (p56).......................................3
Point 7: Four Forms of Ecological Consciousness Reconsidered- John Rodman (p74)........3
Point 8: Four Changes- Gary Snyder (p84)............................................................................4
Point 9: Living in the world- Mountain Humility and Great Humility- Richard Longlais
(p111).....................................................................................................................................4
Point 10: Metaphysics of the treeline- Arne Naess (p137)....................................................4
Conclusion:................................................................................................................................4
References:.................................................................................................................................6

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Introduction:
Deep Ecology is a term that denotes a philosophical, scientific, political and social
movement that occurred spontaneously during the ecological revolution of the 1960’s and it
focused on creating a paradigm shift in values, perceptions and lifestyles of people and to
understand and prevent the ecological degradation caused by social development and increase
environmental awareness (page 4) (Welford, 1995; Mathews, 2018). Deep Ecology also
focuses on how indigenous people interact with the environment, and how they are
marginalized and dispossessed in the wilderness, thereby affecting their wellbeing which has
been discussed below (Devall, 2014; Louw, 2016).
Discussion:
Point 1: The Viable Human- Thomas Berry (p18)
In this essay, the author points out that human communities needs to shift from the
current anthropocentric norms to a geocentric norm, that can allow them to look beyond the
self interests of humans and towards environmental awareness and sensitivity, which is an
important aspect of deep ecology and the preservation of indigenous biodiversity in a region.
(Welford, 1995). According to the author, the anthropocentric perspectives have shifted focus
away from environmental sensitivity leading to the dispossession of the wilderness.
Point 2: Simple in Means, Rich in Ends: An interview with Arne Naess- Stephan Bodian
(p27)
In this interview it was clearly pointed out that the principles of deep ecology are
fairly simple to understand and follow but can have an enormous impact on the environment
if implemented successfully supporting the wellbeing of the natural habitats as well as
indigenous populations (Welford, 1995). It is also pointed out that one of the most significant

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impacts on the environment is the exploitation of the resources causing the wilderness to be
dispossessed from its habitat leading to its degradation.
Point 3: Recovery from Western Civilization- Chellis Glendanning (p32)
In this essay, the author states that the western culture is still suffering from ‘Original
Trauma’ that is caused due to the removal of the lives of people from nature and natural
cycles as a result of agricultural, industrial and technological advancements which shielded
civilizations from the natural elements, thereby moving the focus away from the ecocentric
values of deep ecology which adversely impacts the local communities (Welford, 1995).
Point 4: Cultured or Crabbed- Gary Snyder (p37)
Here the author suggests that knowledge possessed by indigenous dwellers of a land
can be a source of their pride, strength, sustainability and freedom among them. Such
knowledge can develop from being in the specific locality as well as by stepping outside of it
and adopting the philosophy of deep ecology (Welford, 1995). Through such as focus is can
be possible to understand how the indigenous knowledge can be useful to implement
environmental sensitivity in our society.
Point 5: Ritual- The Pattern that Connects- Dolores La Chapelle (p42)
According to the author, language is one of the factors which influence how we think
and is the root cause of a dualistic thinking pattern supported by European language systems.
This duality has led to the devastation of the environment and has also caused several
physical and mental ailments related to stress, and thus such an aspect should be implemented
in the philosophy of deep ecology (Welford, 1995). Such a pattern ultimately causes the
values of the wilderness to be undermined and unappreciated and creates a barrier towards
environmental sustenance as well as the sustenance of indigenous communities and habitats.

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Point 6: The Heart of Deep Ecology- Andrew Mc Laughlin (p56)
In this essay, the author have discussed 8 important considerations that sits at the core
of deep ecology that focuses on the wellbeing and flourishing of both human and non human
life and how both should be synergistic instead of being antagonistic in order to implement
the ideas of deep ecology (Welford, 1995). This also explains how in the absence of deep
ecology, the preservation of the local habitats can be overlooked, thereby causing its
degradation and dispossession.
Point 7: Four Forms of Ecological Consciousness Reconsidered- John Rodman (p74)
In this essay, the author have described four types of ecological consciousness such as
resource conservation (which is about the sustenance of natural resources), wilderness
preservation (which focuses on the preservation of wilderness, its ecology and biodiversity),
moral extensions (which focuses on the extension of human morality for non human beings)
and ecological sensitivity (which helps to develop awareness and sensitivity to environment
and ecosystem) which are the main cornerstones of deep ecology and conservation of
indigenous populations (Welford, 1995).
Point 8: Four Changes- Gary Snyder (p84)
Here the author discusses the four changes that have contributed to the stress on the
environment and ecosystem such as the population, pollution, consumption and
transformation and have resulted in the fragmentation of natural habitats as well as cause
stress on indigenous populations thereby challenging the implementation of the deep ecology
principles and the ultimate conservation of the wilderness (Welford, 1995).
Point 9: Living in the world- Mountain Humility and Great Humility- Richard Longlais
(p111)

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In this essay, the author discussed the lifestyle of the Norwegians, how it developed
with sensitivity to the environment and in response to its landscape and how it helped to
instill a sense of humility and respect towards nature by the people thereby supporting a sense
of deep ecology among them (Welford, 1995). Without such a focus, conservation of the
ecosystem can be difficult and can lead to its degradation.
Point 10: Metaphysics of the treeline- Arne Naess (p137)
Here the author discusses the various symbolic values a tree line holds in a
civilization, and how that can influence the way people think about them. The tree line can be
an indicator of the staring of the forest or the edge of civilization and both there aspects needs
to be considered while thinking about deep ecology (Welford, 1995). Loss of the treeline can
also lead to a loss of biodiversity and the indigenous population thereby further suggesting its
significance in deep ecology.
Conclusion:
From the ten points above it can be summarized that deep ecology not only considers
the wellbeing of human species as well as non human species in the environment and
considers how both are a part of the natural ecosystem.

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References:
Devall, B. (2014). Deep ecology and radical environmentalism. In American
Environmentalism (pp. 63-74). Taylor & Francis.
Louw, G. P. B. (2016). Deep ecology: should we embrace this philosophy? (Doctoral
dissertation).
Mathews, F. (2018). Relating to Nature: Deep Ecology or Ecofeminism?. In Feminist
Ecologies (pp. 35-55). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Welford, R. (1995). Environmental strategy and sustainable development: The corporate
challenge for the twenty-first century. Routledge.