The Lorax Complex: Deep ecology, Ecocentrism and Exclusion

Kopnina, H.N.

doi:doi:10.1080/1943815X.2012.742914

Biodiversity preservation is often viewed in utilitarian terms that render nonhuman
species as ecosystem services or natural resources. The economic capture
approach may be inadequate in addressing biodiversity loss because extinction of
some species could conceivably come to pass without jeopardizing the survival of
the humans. People might be materially sustained by a technological biora made
to yield services and products required for human life. The failure to address
biodiversity loss calls for an exploration of alternative paradigms. It is proposed
that the failure to address biodiversity loss stems from the fact that ecocentric
value holders are politically marginalized and underrepresented in the most
powerful strata of society. While anthropocentric concerns with environment and
private expressions of biophilia are acceptable in the wider society, the more
pronounced publicly expressed deep ecology...Show more Biodiversity preservation is often viewed in utilitarian terms that render nonhuman
species as ecosystem services or natural resources. The economic capture
approach may be inadequate in addressing biodiversity loss because extinction of
some species could conceivably come to pass without jeopardizing the survival of
the humans. People might be materially sustained by a technological biora made
to yield services and products required for human life. The failure to address
biodiversity loss calls for an exploration of alternative paradigms. It is proposed
that the failure to address biodiversity loss stems from the fact that ecocentric
value holders are politically marginalized and underrepresented in the most
powerful strata of society. While anthropocentric concerns with environment and
private expressions of biophilia are acceptable in the wider society, the more
pronounced publicly expressed deep ecology position is discouraged. ‘‘Radical
environmentalists’’ are among the least understood of all contemporary
opposition movements, not only in tactical terms, but also ethically. The article
argues in favor of the inclusion of deep ecology perspective as an alternative to
the current anthropocentric paradigm.Show less

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The Lorax Complex: Deep ecology, Ecocentrism and Exclusion