Week 11: Deep Ecology Platform

I think the outline of the Deep Ecology Platform has merit and we as a planet have even addressed at least half of the ideas expressed therein, including: “recognizing the inherent worth of human and non-human life on earth“, which “contributes to the richness and diversity” of the planet. Further, it states the “humans have no right to reduce this diversity” except as absolutely necessary for our survival; and the majority of the world’s population is even coming to realize that due to our “interference” with the natural course of life on the planet by humans to other forms of life has had detrimental effects whose impact is escalating the devastation worldwide.

However, once we start discussing the topic of population control and how to manage that along with the necessary policy changes that would be required to institute such sweeping changes, we quickly come to a cultural and political impasse as to how to talk about, let alone implement, such changes.

So, while I laud the authors of this ideology for their forward thinking, I think the reality is that it will require sacrifice on the part of all us to accomplish such an ideal. That being said, where there is life there is hope. Perhaps some of the predicted global imbalances in natural resources (specifically food) versus population demands for same; as well as the current and future mass extinctions of various species that we are experiencing even now, will spur the consideration of how to achieve these more controversial goals as well…for the sake of all life on earth.