Ecocentrism

Ecocentrism is a philosophy that recognizes that the ecosphere, rather than any individual organism, is the source and support of all life and as such advises a holistic and eco-centric approach to government, industry, and individual.

Although in theory every educated person knows that the world is more than people, resources, and a vague environment to be protected, the very fact of seeing it as one spherical air-water-land system gives it a new and different reality. From a vantage point outside our home, a revealing perspective has shown us the planet for what it really is; a ball of living star dust, a four-and-one-billion year old miracle.

The root of "eco" is "home," and the ecosphere is the home-sphere. Ecocentrism puts the ecosphere first. It recognizes the importance of the environment and the web of life and realizes that no single organism is more important than another. Ecocentrism does not even distinguish between animate life and inanimate matter or process. The entire "sphere" of life is important.

The writings of Aldo Leopold and his idea of the land ethic are a key element to this philosophy.