Ecology, Deep

Deep ecology is the diverse series of perspectives on the environment that urge basic reconsideration and change. The term was coined by Norwegian philosopher Arme Naess in 1972. He noticed that the environmental movement could go in either the direction of shallow ecology which is the use of quick-fix solutions to pollution and resource depletion where the problems are abated and their causes are covered. The other direction is deep ecology which would look for fundamental facets of our culture that lead to degradation of our habitat. Naess's deep ecology demands a change in the basic ideas underlying civilization so that nature will be respected as valuable in itself and also as part of human activity. Since the terms inception deep ecology has developed into its own philosophy and has been the basis of a movement that sees fundamental social and ethical change as the only solution to the environmental crisis. (Eblen and Eblen, 1994, p. 185)

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Rudolf Husar rhusar@mecf.wustl.edu Last updated 10/26/94.