TYPES OF ENVIRONMENTAL ETHICS

With the emergence of several theories, several environmental ethics

have emerged. While some protect human beings, others protect
plants, animals and other elements of nature which are;
SOCIAL ECOLOGY
• Social ecology studies relationships between people and their
environment, often the interdependence of people, collectives and
institutions.
• Social ecology takes a “broad, interdisciplinary perspective that gives
greater attention to the social, psychological, institutional, and
cultural contexts of people-environment relations
DEEP ECOLOGY
• Deep ecology proposes an embracing of ecological ideas proposals about how humans
should relate to nature.
• In 1985 Bill Devall and George Sessions summed up their understanding of the concept of
deep ecology with the following eight points:
The well-being of human and nonhuman life on earth is of intrinsic value irrespective of its
value to humans.
The diversity of life-forms is part of this value.
Humans have no right to reduce this diversity except to satisfy vital human needs
The flourishing of human and nonhuman life is compatible with a substantial decrease in
human population.
Humans have interfered with nature to a critical level already, and interference is worsening.
Policies must be changed, affecting current economic, technological and ideological
structures.
This ideological change should focus on an appreciation of the quality of life rather than
adhering to an increasingly high standard of living.
All those who agree with the above tenets have an obligation to implement them.
 ECOFEMINISM
• Ecofeminism is a branch of feminism that sees environmentalism, and
the relationship between women and the earth, as foundational to its
analysis and practice.
• Ecofeminist analysis explores the connections between women and
nature in culture, religion, literature and iconography, and addresses
the parallels between the oppression of nature and the oppression of
women.
• Ecofeminism emphasizes that both women and nature must be
respected.
• Interpretations of ecofeminism and how it might be applied to social
thought include ecofeminist art, social justice and political philosophy,
religion, contemporary feminism, and poetry.