Biology Week 6: Ecosystems and Deep Ecology

The concept of deep ecology, though pre-dating our understanding of "carbon footprint," has not fully sunk in as an essential movement to the survival of our planet.  Since our linear scope of sustainability does not span far past our own lifespan, it tends to limits our ability to fully embrace ecosystem preservation.

Eight Points Deep-Ecology Platform

 The Eight-Point Deep Ecology platform developed by Arne Naess and George Sessions provides groundwork for the necessary shifts that the Deep Ecology Movement would entail. Point number one places equal importance on both human and non-human life.  The majority of modern day humans have been programed for several generations to prioritize their own species above others.  This prioritization creates an imbalance in the ecosystem as many species are removed from their natural habitats, pushed aside, and deprived of resources for the purpose of human needs.  This raises point number 3: reducing the consumption of ecological resources for any purposes outside of vital necessity.  Were taking life or death here! Though this sounds like a wonderful idea, the ability of modern humans to strip down their consumption to exclusively serve their vital needs would involve an unraveling of societal and cultural programming.   Modern humans are so disconnected with the natural world and reliant on technology that many would not survive off the grid.  brining us to the sixth point about policy change.  Because our ecosystems are so imbalanced, we see that such changes will only involve conceptualizing a more cooperative and harmonious ecosystem but also a complete paradigm shift as to how we differentiate our survival needs from our contrived "needs."

Week vs Strong

Watching our planet change in the face of modern day human existence demonstrates the natural paradox of ecosystems: they are simultaneously strong and week.  The strength lies in the ability for biotic and abiotic factors to interact and coexist. Biotic systems, i.e plants, animals, bacteria and fungi, rely on biotic factors (sunlight, temperature, water, gases and soil) to survive.  Since our bodies are made up of 90% water and chemicals influence most of the reactions that allow our bodies to function we can see how the interaction of Biotic and Abiotic systems are deeply embedded in our DNA. Another strength is the ability for our systems to adapt.  As the temperature raises, we sweat to keep cool and as it drops our muscles will shiver.  The ability to adapt in an imbalanced ecosystem also reveals its fragility.  We see how the reintroduction of the white wolf in the yellowstone national park revitalized and rebalanced a starving ecosystem.  The video referred to them as "ecosystem engineers" as their survival mechanisms provided habitats from many other species to thrive. The strength of an ecosystem lies in the ability to adapt and change though the disappearance of the wolves for human purposes, placed an imbalances in the ecosystem, demonstrating its fragility.  If we consider ourselves the top predators like white wolves and mountain lions, we certainly are not having the same positive impact.  What would the world look like if humans suddenly became extinct?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysa5OBhXz-Q

Social Ecology

Joshua Hortons description of Social Ecology resonates as a very eastern ideology as it focuses on the "big picture" of an ecosystem.  The individuality and purpose of each factor is directly related to the ecosystem, giving it strength as a whole.  The end goals of Horton's model encourage human inhabitants to "revere their fundamental connections to the earth."  This is a beautiful message, though seemingly far out of reach for many. I am curious what it will take to make this shift in consciousness when many of us do not feel the impact that our abuse is having.  If we were all hunters and farmers living on the land and not buying our food at the the local market, we would notice migratory changes and extreme whether patterns as the impacts would impact our survival.  As of now, such planetary cries are only minor inconveniences to our urban paradise.