Deep Ecology

           There is a natural tendency among the human species to consider themselves superior to all the other beings that do not fall in the category of the scientific term 'homosapiens'. Because of this human centered instrumentalisation of the non- human nature, increasing destruction has been the very fate of the environment as a whole. This is the idea of human centered value system that the adherents of deep ecology movement goes against.

          Deep ecology is a movement which is concerned with encouraging an egalitarian attitude on the part of humans not only towards all members of the ecosphere, but even towards all identifiable entities or forms in the ecosphere. Thus this attitude is intended to extent, for example, to such entities ( or forms) as rivers , landscapes, and even species and social systems considered in their own right. The idea of deep ecology stands in sharp contrast with the various dominant ideas of "Individualism" of our culture, where seeking ourselves as separate from our world makes it easier not to be bothered by what is happening around us. One must understand that the changes in the ecosystem affects us, but we do not accept it as our concern. For example, any changes in the river water level or plants affects the whole ecosystem and the humans too directly or indirectly.

          Deep ecology is a somewhat recent branch of ecological philosophy ( ecosophy) that considers humankind as an integral part of it's environment. The central idea behind this is that human beings are a part of the world ecosystem rather than a single entity and like them each and every unit, or the living environment as a whole has the same right to live and flourish.The philosophy gives an emphasis on the intrinsic value in humans and the interdependent value of human and the non-human life as well as the importance of ecosystem and the natural process.

        Of the four radical forms of environmentalism, deep ecology is the most influential beyond academic circles. It has inspired many activists in organizations such as Friends of the Earth, Earth First!, and Sea Shepherd. The introduction of the phrase "Deep Ecology" in environmental literature was made by the Norwegian philosopher and mountaineer Arne Naess in a famous 1973 English language article " The Shallow and the Deep, Long-Range Ecology Movement: A Summary". By ecology movement Naess means a cosmology or worldview. Being a mountaineer Naess was familiar with the diverse culture of the world. He divided environmentalism into two forms one which he called the "long range deep ecology movement" and the other "shallow ecology movement". He contrasts them and finds the shallow worldview to be typical of the mainstream environmentalism, merely an extension of European and North American anthropocentrism. On the other hand the concept of deep ecology questions this particular anthropocentrism. The word 'deep' movement involves deep questionin, right down to the fundamental root cause. Naess's idea of the deep ecology caught the attention of very few people as they couldn't believe that he was characterizing an existing grassroot movement rather than his personal philosophy. Naess sets out eight key points of deep ecology platform in George Session's definitive anthology " Deep Ecology for the 21st Century (1995)". Among these points one states about the need of population reduction. According to him, population growth in developing countries leads to poverty, land pressure, deforestation and many hazards in environment.

          Many objections has been raised over deep ecology calling it misanthropic and inhumane. Moreover it has also been criticized for it's claim to be 'deeper' than alternative theories, which by implications are shallow. There are even more loopholes pointed out by different critics however this concept of deep ecology has achievement wide recognition because of the increasing understanding of the need of protecting the environment. It provides a foundation for the environmental and green movements and led to a new system of environmental ethics.

        Dragging in the point of human superiority and domination is important because the present negetive human interference with the non-human world is excessive and the situation is worsening. Thus, the mindset of Individualism as well as the policies must be changed. The ideological change must be mostly that of appreciating life quality rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standards of living. Richness and diversity of the world contributes to the realization of these values. Deep Ecology is a concept, in which the participants are more involved and feels the connectedness with the world around them. Thus, each one of the human species must experience themselves as a part of the living earth and find a role in protecting the planet.