Deep and shallow ecology

Deep ecology versus shallow ecology

The Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess introduced the terms in a 1973 paper. He contrasted two kinds of environmental movement.

Shallow ecology fights pollution and resource depletion, but mainly to protect the health and comfort of people, especially in rich countries. It keeps the existing economic system and looks for technical fixes: cleaner engines, filters, recycling. Nature is still treated as a resource for humans.

Deep ecology asks deeper questions about why the crisis happened. Its main ideas are:

• All living beings have intrinsic value, whatever their usefulness to humans.
• The richness and diversity of life is valuable in itself.
• Humans have no right to reduce this diversity except to meet vital needs.
• Human population and consumption should be reduced, and present human interference with nature is excessive.
• Change must come in basic values, lifestyles and the economic system, not only in technology.
• Self-realisation: a person grows by identifying with the wider natural world.

Gary Snyder is an American poet linked with deep ecology. His collection *Turtle Island* (Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, 1975) celebrates wilderness, Native American and Buddhist ideas, and living rooted in one’s local place (“bioregionalism”).

Earth First! is a radical environmental group founded in the USA in 1980 (Dave Foreman was a co-founder). Inspired by deep ecology, it used direct action, such as blockades and tree-sitting, to stop logging of old-growth forests. Some members used sabotage of machinery (“monkeywrenching”), which made the group controversial.

Key points

• Arne Naess → coined deep and shallow ecology (1973).
• Shallow = reformist, human-centred, technical fixes.
• Deep = intrinsic value, biocentric equality, change in values and lifestyle.
• Gary Snyder → poet, *Turtle Island*, bioregionalism.
• Earth First! (USA, 1980) → direct action, “No compromise in defence of Mother Earth”.

Exam tips

Expect statement-type questions: “Which belongs to deep ecology?” Pick options with intrinsic value, reducing consumption or changing values. Options about pollution control for human health alone are shallow ecology.

Common mistakes

• Calling shallow ecology “anti-environment”; it does care about pollution, but for human benefit.
• Mixing up Earth First! (radical, deep ecology) with mainstream groups that lobby governments.
• Thinking deep ecology means humans must never use nature; it allows use for vital needs.