Reformism

Resource Conservation and Development 

The new conservation stance calls for a re-evaluation of the use of the Earth’s bounty and the acknowledgement that all living creatures and inert matter are valuable, have the right to exist and thrive and should be treated with respect. Resources that are taken for human consumption should be done so predicated on the grounds of thoughtfulness and reverence for what they give to humanity and without a motive for exploitation and domination. A shift from anthropocentric to eco-centric values is urgently needed in all human endeavors and a new worldview should be articulated to empower the new ecological perspective.

Animals should have rights to respect and benevolent treatment by humans and should not be subjugated to sport hunting, captivity in zoos and circuses. They should also not be used for scientific experiments that are painful or psychologically harmful or to test products designed for people. Wild animals that are not biologically suitable for domestication should not be utilized as pets for humans and should not be “broken” or treated in such a manner that domestication be forced upon them. Science should also not attempt to genetically alter wild animal characteristics to make them suitable for domestication.

The planet’s geography including its landscapes, soil, air, water and minerals should be appreciated for their inherent value and utilized conservatively with sustainability in mind. The fact that the planet has as one of its aspects, immeasurable beauty, is another reason to respect and care for this wonder of creation.

People should be treated with respect and allowed to live a life based on individual meaning, purpose, ideology and lifestyle without interference except when questions of ethics arise. Humanity should not be perceived as a resource to be controlled and exploited for the benefit of either other individuals or for the benefit of society as a whole.

Reference:

Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered by Bill Devall and George Sessions, 1985 by Gibbs M. Smith, Inc. The Reformist Response, pp. 51-61.