Conservation and Biodiversity
How Deep Ecology Can Change the Way We See the Earth
July 2, 2025
In Antibes, a city in the South of France, a pair of orcas helplessly circle their abandoned, algae infested enclosure. The two Orcas, Wikie and Keijo, are stuck in political limbo as officials debate their relocation site. Time is running low, however. If French officials cannot quickly agree upon a suitable new home for the pair, the orcas will likely face health complications or death, as did their relatives, Moana and Inouk, and eventually, euthanization in the deteriorating conditions of their enclosure.
From the French government’s lack of urgent action, one truth becomes clear: our environmental crisis is not just political — it’s philosophical. What if saving the planet begins with rethinking our place within it?
Deep ecology offers a framework to reevaluate our relationship with the natural world. A term coined by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess, deep ecology calls us to question traditional ways of perceiving humanity’s place in the natural world, and perhaps, instructs us how to save Wikie and Keijo.
Into the Wild Mindset
In contrast to traditional views of humanity’s relation to nature, which emphasize human difference and distance from everything non-human, Naess’ philosophy resituates us alongside these organisms as co-inhabitants of the world around us.
What does this mean?
Deep ecology is a philosophy that claims all living things—whether it’s a person, an ant, a tree, or a whale—have value just because they exist, not just because they’re useful to humans.
Supporters of this philosophy believe that respecting the lives of animals, plants, and other non-human beings doesn’t mean we value humans any less. In other words, caring about nature and other living things doesn’t take away from the importance of human life; we can honor and protect all life together.
We don’t say that every living being has the same value as a human, but that it has an intrinsic value which is not quantifiable. It is not equal or unequal. It has a right to live and blossom. I may kill a mosquito if it is on the face of my baby but I will never say I have a higher right to life than a mosquito.
Arne Naess
This viewpoint of life’s intrinsic value comes from the deep ecologist’s understanding of life as interconnected. From an ecological perspective, each organism is reliant upon an intricate web of others, with each individual serving a specific and essential function for the broader ecosystem. Taking a step back, we can see clearly that humans stand as no exception to this rule. From the timber that frames our house to the produce that we eat, non-human life props up human existence every minute of the day, acting as figurative pillars. Yet, through our unsustainable and one-sided use of these resources, we are steadily weakening the very foundations that support us.
Deep ecology highlights this mutual reliance between humans and the non-human world, promoting a view of nature that includes and values both.
Deep Ecology Before it Had a Name
Although a term coined in the twentieth century, deep ecology has been practiced in principle for thousands of years. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), which is based on a deep understanding of local environments, is a great example of deep ecology in action. Across cultures, TEK has provided strong, sustainable ways to manage natural resources—approaches that are grounded in a holistic and intimate understanding of how ecosystems work and how they can be renewed.
Recent calls to return to Indigenous stewardship practices in California are just one example of traditional ecological knowledge gaining broader recognition in public policy. For instance, there is growing support for the use of controlled burns—a practice long used by Indigenous peoples—to manage forests more effectively. These discussions highlight a growing awareness that mainstream conservation methods are not the only, or necessarily the best, solutions for environmental management.
As the human toll of climate change grows, with the recent LA fires alone destroying an estimated $30 billion of residential real estate, the ties between human futures and the environment become impossible to ignore. Without philosophically reuniting human and non-human fates, these harms to both human society and the natural world will continue.
A Not so Distant Shift
Applying deep ecology isn’t just about bringing Indigenous practices into mainstream environmental efforts—it’s already shaping the way we care for our surroundings. Urban forestry is a great example of deep ecology at work in our daily lives.
For instance, a 2018 study found that re-greening vacant lots in Philadelphia’s low-income neighborhoods led to a 68% reduction in feelings of depression among residents living below the poverty line. Planting trees in urban areas brings many additional benefits, such as improved stormwater management, cooler air temperatures, higher student achievement, and better public health.
Simply put, people thrive when nature thrives. By welcoming nature back into our cities, we create opportunities for mutual flourishing—allowing human communities to grow stronger alongside the trees they nurture.
Legit or Eco-Nonsense?
Critics of this philosophy attack it for its spiritualistic approach to what is largely a scientific discussion. But what these critics overlook is the power of marrying compassion with fact.
At the foundation of any ecological view lies an understanding of the interconnection between all living things, and our mutual interdependence is what Naess is pointing to. He does not ask us to abandon science by adopting his view but instead to follow the science to its natural conclusion, a conclusion that demands acknowledgment and respect for our non-human partners.
From Feeling to Knowing: Acting on Our Bond with Nature
In a sense, the “deepness” of deep ecology comes from its place within us all. The core idea of the philosophy is likely something that you are intuitively quite familiar with. Whether you’re a mountaineer climbing the world’s tallest peaks or simply someone who enjoys a nice stroll listening to birdsong, you probably feel grounded by nature, finding your place and peace within it.
Deep ecology simply asks us to distill, internalize, and act upon this feeling.
By learning to consciously acknowledge, know, and understand life around us, we become more effective proponents of environmental action. Once we begin appreciating non-human life as invaluable components of our own, robust advocacy for it flows naturally.
What You Can Do
You can begin this sort of advocacy right now. Write a letter to President Macron demanding the urgent relocation of Wikie and Keijo. At EARTHDAY.ORG, we don’t just preach environmentalism, but we offer a platform for those looking to become more involved with localized initiatives. Sign up as a volunteer and be connected to our network of activists.
Or if this article has inspired you to reconnect with your wild side, practice some self-discovery and find out what tree you are here!
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