Ecologism*Ecology is the scientific study of the distribution and abundance of life and the interactions between organisms and their natural environment.*The environment of an organism includes physical properties, which can be described as the sum of local abiotic factors such as insolation (sunlight), climate, and geology, and biotic ecosystem, which includes other organisms that share its habitat.

Ecologism

The term ‘ecologic" or "ecological" is often taken in sense of environmentally friendly.

Ecologism is an ideology centered around ecology, stressing interdependence of all forms of life.

EcologismThe term ecology or oekologie was coined by the German biologist Ernst Haeckel in 1866, when he defined it as "the comprehensive science of the relationship of the organism to the environment.“

Haeckel did not elaborate on the concept, and the first significant textbook on the subject (together with the first university course) was written by the Danish botanist, Eugenius Warming.

EcologismLikewise, geology, chemistry, oceanography, environmental science are also a part of the study of ecology.

Ecology and environmentalism are closely related to each other as both talk about the nature of our environment. This makes people think that ecology and environmentalism are similar, if not synonyms for each other.

However, they are not same.

EcologismEcology is a study of the relationship of living organisms with their surroundings and the sustenance that comes from the atmosphere. This includes study of energy (sun), gases, light and heat which is the subject matter of physics.

It also includes study of influences of living organisms on each other, which demands, study of biology as well.

EcologismEcology vs EnvironmentalismGerman scientist Earnst Heinrich first coined the term ecology that in original terms literally means the economy of nature. Since then, the academic discipline of ecology has gone on to encompass more and more aspects and today it has become so vast that it is divided into 4 categories of physiological ecology, population ecology, community ecology, and ecosystem ecology.

EcologismEnvironmentalism

Environmentalism is a term that has gained currency because of our concern for the environment. The rate at which we are depleting natural resources, and losing vegetation through deforestation, is so fast that it has started to show up in the form of ecological disasters.

Environmentalism is basically a social movement of people coming together in an endeavor to do something to save our environment.

The main focus of environmentalists is on different ecosystems and how our interactions affect these ecosystems and ultimately the ecology. These people work to save our environment from the harmful effects of human interactions with ecosystems.

EcologismEcology is concerned with how organisms interact with each other and their surroundings. On the other hand, environmentalism is concerned with the harmful effects of human activities on the environment.

Environmentalism is basically a social movement whereas ecology is an academic discipline

Ecology is a vast subject matter that requires study of various disciplines like physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and so on whereas environmentalism mainly studies the effects of human interaction with ecology and how to minimize that harmful effect.

EcologismEnvironment Crisis and Green PoliticsGlobal WarmingResource DepletionLocalized pollutionNuclear warEnvironment Crisis and Green PoliticsGlobal Warming Resource Depletion localized pollutionNuclear war

EcologismGreen PoliticsGreen political parties and movement emerged in the 1970sGerman Green Party (Die Grunen/Bundnis 90)By 1982, they represented in the parliament of 6 of West Germany’s regions (Lander) and they entered the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) in 1983. In the following election, the support rose to 8.3 percent and other parties began to adopt environmental policies.During the 1980s it became clear that there was a major schism between Realos (Realists) and Fundis (Fundamentalists).

EcologismThe former wanted power within the existing political system, while the latter challenged that system.Opposed to German unification in 1990, the Greens fell below the 5 percent of the vote required for seats in the Bundestag. The internal dispute within the party was won by the Realos and the party—now in alliance with Bundnis 90—grew in strength through the 1990s.In 1998, they formed a government with the Social Democrats. Although their support held steady they lost power in 2005, as the Social Democrats lost votes and seats.

 

EcologismOpposed to German unification in 1990, the Greens fell below the 5 percent of the vote required for seats in the Bundestag. The internal dispute within the party was won by the Realos and the party—now in alliance with Bundnis 90—grew in strength through the 1990s.In 1998, they formed a government with the Social Democrats. Although their support held steady they lost power in 2005, as the Social Democrats lost votes and seats.

 

EcologismAldo Leopold and the ‘Land Ethic’

Arne Nass and ‘Deep Ecology’

Gareett Hardin and the Ethics of the Lifeboat

EcologismKey components of ecologism can be summarized as follows:1.There is something which can be called ‘ecology’ or the ‘biosphere’; this is an interconnected whole on which all life depends.2. The natural world, which includes all forms of life, has intrinsic value and should not be used as an instrument to satisfy human wants.

Ecologism3, The quality of human will be enhanced once human beings recognize 1 and 2: Ecologism is not concerned to devalue human beings, but rather to get us to think about who we really are.4.The structure of the natural world should be mirrored in the social and political world; the interdependence—but diversity– of the former translates into a commitment to a more equal society, respectful of differences.

Ecologism5. To achieve ecological and social justice requires not simply a change in the social and economic and political organization of society, but a fundamental change in human motivation.6.Ecologism is a distinct ideology, which sees in both liberalism and socialism a common enemy: industrialization, can be compatible with an ecological consciousness. For ecologist, the earth is a physical object, with natural physical limits;

Ecologismindustrialism, which is committed to economic growth, can not respect integrity and finitude of the earth.7. Ecologists seek a ‘sustainable society’– that is, one which is in tune with nature. In practical terms, this requires a reduction in consumption.8. Although there is division within deep ecology, a strong theme in ecological thought is a distrust of ‘technological fixes’—that is, a belief that advances in technology will overcome environmental problems.

EcologismCriticisms of Ecologism

--Ecologism cannot Bridge the Gap between Facts and Values

--Ecologism has an Incoherent Attitude to Human Rationality.

*Ecologism Rests on a Naïve Distinction between ‘Nature’ and ‘Society’.

Ecologism----Ecologism either a] Assumes a Naively Optimistic View of Human Nature, or b) Requires an Unrealistic Transformation of Human Nature--Ecologism is a Religion, and as such Incompatible with the Value Pluralism of the Modern World.

EcologismSummary:Ecologism’s distinctiveness can be found in its emphasis on the interconnectedness of life on earth, and the demand for a fundamental change in human relations to nature—where nature is part of the humanity and humanity part of nature.

Ecologism--Ecologism offers a critique of both liberalism and socialism, while recognizing the important difference between those ideologies its finds commonalities: a commitment to economic growth that is incompatible with the finite nature of the earth. --Humanity’s ambitions exceed the resources of its home.