Deep Ecology Hub

The Problem With Mainstream Environmentalism

Environmentalism is a terrible term. It implies a false division between humanity and nature, suggesting that humans and nature are separate and you either support one or the other. It is stuck in the viewpoint that the world consists of man and man's environment.

In our culture it is perceived that if you are "for the environment" then you are not for "for people." If you are in favor of one then you must be against the other.

image by tewahipounamu 92223

Commercial fishing was banned on one stretch of New Zealand coast recently because it was threatening a species of native dolphin. 300 fisherman lost their jobs.

It was portrayed that the environmentalists had the interests of the dolphins above the interests of the fisherman. And that those who were looking out for the interests of the fisherman didn't care about the dolphins.

But humans and nature are not separate. I am not for the environment at the expense of people but neither am I for people at the expense of the environment. We are nature, we are the environment.

We need to start thinking in a new way. Instead of seeing non-humans as "man's environment" we need to start seeing them as our neighbours, our partners, our fellows in the community of life.

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