Environmental Worldviews: Western and Deep Ecology

Each of us has our on worldview. One example is the environmental worldview. We have our own beliefs when it comes to nature and we tend to act on these beliefs. But what kind of effects do our behaviors and lifestyles have on our environment?

Environmental worldview help us understand our place in the environment, how the environment works, and the right and wrong behaviors towards the environment. This worldview can lead to different lifestyles and that or may not have a negative effect towards environmental sustainability.

There are two competing environmental worldviews: Western worldview and Deep Ecology worldview. These two are very different in their beliefs. Each has a very different approach on when it comes to responsibilities towards our environment

Western worldview is human-centered. It basically says that humans are superior and humans have dominance over nature. It has a belief that humans have primary obligation to humans and that's it. It says that humans should have unrestricted use of natural resources for the benefit of just humans.

Deep ecology worldview believes that humans have an obligation to themselves and the environment as well. This worldview believes that all forms of life have the right to exist and that humans aren't any different from other species. It basically says that humans are equal to other species.

As you can see western worldview and deep ecology worldview are very different in their beliefs. They are on the opposite ends when it comes to environmental worldview. One believes that humans have dominance over nature and the other believes that humans and other species are equal.

So which side are you on?

Many people today do not fully embrace either worldviews. Western worldview is human-centered and regards humans as the central element of the universe. Deep ecology worldview, on the other hand, is too centered in life and views humans as one species among others. Both are extremes and many of us may be stuck in the middle of both worldviews.

I, myself, am stuck in the middle of both worldviews. I believe that we, humans, should have the right to use earth's natural resources as long as we respect nature and give back what we take from our environment. I do believe that we have an obligation both to ourselves and the environment. That's why I mentioned that have to give back what we take.

There should always be a balance on everything, including this. Humans cannot live without a healthy environment and it is our obligation to take care of it.