Ecological Citizen articulates a position they call Ecocentrism. I will discuss thier position by looking at thier statement of faith. You can find the whole document here.
They are very very much like Deep Ecology, Bio Centrism, ect
| .We, the undersigned, hold and advocate an ecocentric worldview that finds intrinsic (inherent) value in all of nature and the ecosphere. | Sure, many paths lead to that conclusion. |
| Ecocentrism takes a much wider view of the world than does anthropocentrism, which sees individual humans and the human species as more valuable than all other organisms. Ecocentrism is the broadest of worldviews, but there are related worldviews. However, ecocentrism goes beyond biocentrism (ethics that sees inherent value in all living things) by including environmental systems as wholes and their abiotic aspects. It also goes beyond zoocentrism (seeing value in animals) on account of explicitly including flora and other organisms, as well as their contexts. Given that life relies on geology and geomorphology to sustain it, and that ‘geodiversity’ also has intrinsic value, the broader term ‘ecocentrism’ is the more inclusive concept and value, and hence most appropriate. | Ecocentrism is by definition anthropocentric as only people could make the assertion. There are dozens of other fields of study that accomplish the same thing, which is nothing. Ecocentrism is like ecology, specifically community ecology, environmentalism, biocentrism, bio regionalism, deep ecology, Biophilia, eco feminism, eco anarchism zoocentrism, geology, biology, physics, in fact any of the sciences have been saying the same thing since the 1900’s the term ‘ecocentrism’ is just another word. We do not need more quibbling on new branches of understanding that are simply a rehash of 1960’s hippy philosophy, we need a tangible plan to get us out of the mess were are in, I see that plan as 2 fold, reduce our population and reform our tax laws. |
| We maintain that the ecosphere, including the life it contains, is an inherent good, irrespective of whether humans are the ones valuing it. It is true that (as far as we know) humans are the only species that reflects on and applies moral values. However, we can also understand that elements of the ecosphere have co-evolved to form a wondrous complexity – and contend that nature has value for itself. Ecocentrism recognizes that humans have responsibility towards the ecosphere, moral sentiments that are increasingly expressed in the language of rights. Such ‘rights of nature’ are now enshrined in some national constitutions, and are variously termed Earth jurisprudence, rights of nature, earth law and wild law. | The ecosystem is not good or bad, it just is and it has nothing to do with what people thing. Our only responsibility is to not destroy it, Nature does not rights in our laws, it needs us out of it. Smaller numbers with large tracks left alone. An ecological constitution will be the final nail in our coffin. |
| Ecocentrism is important for multiple reasons: | |
| In ethical terms: Ecocentrism expands the moral community beyond our own species, to all life, and indeed, to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems themselves. There is compelling philosophical and scientific justification for extending moral concern to all of the ecosphere, both its biotic and abiotic components. | This sounds nice but makes no sense, the moral community is nothing, we are not a moral community and nether is nature. Morals have nothing to do with our lives or survival. |
| In evolutionary terms: Ecocentrism reflects the fact that Homo sapiens evolved out of the ecosphere’s rich web of life, which has a legacy stretching back an almost unimaginable 3.5 billion years. Other species literally are our cousins and relatives (close and distant) – a biological kinship that many have recognized as conferring moral responsibilities towards all species. | No we have no moral responsibility to anything other than ourselves, that is enough. The problem is we do not care enough for ourselves to control our numbers or think. |
| In spiritual terms: Historical and social scientific analysis demonstrates that many people (and some societies) have developed an ecocentric worldview. There is strong evidence that ecocentric values are increasingly being fused into nature-based, ecocentric spiritualities. With such spiritualties, even people who are entirely naturalistic in their worldviews often speak of the Earth and its ecosystems as sacred, and thus worthy of reverent care and defence. | The earth is sacred, where we go the earth is desecrated, please do not bring in sprituality unless you want to doom us to absolute failure. |
| In governance terms: Governance systems – including our legal, economic and political systems – must recognize the interdependence of ecological and social systems and be transformed to respect the rights of nature to exist, thrive and evolve. | A nice thought, might have been possible in 1800 when we were a billion or in 1900 when we were 2 billion but not anymore. |
| In ecological terms: Ecocentrism reminds us that the ecosphere and all life is interdependent and that both human and nonhuman organisms are absolutely dependent on the ecosystem processes that nature provides. An anthropocentric conservation ethic alone is wholly inadequate for conserving biodiversity. Ecocentrism is rooted in an evolutionary understanding that reminds us that we are latecomers to what Aldo Leopold evocatively called the “odyssey of evolution”. Ecology teaches humility, as we do not know everything about the world’s ecosystems, and never will. This leads quite naturally to a precautionary approach towards all the systems that constitute the ecosphere, so that where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, a lack of full scientific certainty ought not to be used as a reason for postponing remedial action. | Aldo Leopold died in 1950 and John Muir in 1919, lovely sentiments that have been around for a long time with lots of action, parks, rules, all good, but not enought with 10 billion people using 120% of the resources of the planet. There are no threats of damage, the damage is one, payback is going to be a bitch. |
| Although we hold an ecocentric worldview because we believe it is ethically just, we contend that it is also practical because it counters humanity’s relentless drive towards ‘dominion over nature’. Society’s overconsumption and overexploitation of nature has led to global and accelerating degradation of the ecosphere. Ecocentrism encourages us to see the rest of life as our kin, something we should respect for its own sake as well as our own. Those with an ecocentric worldview cannot silently tolerate mass anthropogenic extinctions, nor the suffering that accompanies environmental degradation. Ecocentrism encourages empathy with life, listening to the land and, above all, taking action to protect and heal the planet. Ecocentrism can also help lead to a sustainable future by encouraging a sense of wonder about the world around us. This can help us find the ethics we require if we are to take the difficult actions needed to sustain the ecosphere that supports our society. Whether it involves solving global crises like climate change or mass extinction, or contributing to local initiatives, ecocentrism can help humanity seek sustainable solutions. Conclusion | A new cult is not going to help, a new idea is not what is needed. We do not need empathy, listening to the land, or healing the planet, there is no sustainable future. There is only bracing for impact at this point. |
| Everyone (even academics seeking objectivity) are influenced by their worldview, ethics and values. To date, most Western thought has been rooted in an anthropocentric worldview. Despite great progress on some environmental fronts, it has become increasingly clear that an anthropocentric worldview provides an insufficient basis for preserving ecospheric diversity. We maintain that a transformation towards an ecocentric worldview is a necessary path for the flourishing of life on Earth, including that of our own species. | Western thought is not the problem, Africas population, Asias population, Indias population, North America and South Americas population is th e problem. |
| We, the undersigned, are convinced that the future of our living planet is dependent upon the recognition of the intrinsic value of nature, and strong support for ecocentrism as a worldview. We all have a duty to communicate this whenever possible and to undertake, promote and endeavour to inspire action in accordance with this worldview. | Talk all you want it makes no difference |