Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Resources
Shallow approach
: Emphasis is on resources for humans and particularly those
living in affluent countries. The Earth's resources belong to those with the
technology to exploit them.
Deep approach
: Emphasis is on resources and habitats for all life-forms for their
own sake. No natural object is conceived purely as a resource.
Population
Shallow approach
: Human 'over-population' is mainly a problem for developing
countries. The issue of an 'optimum' population for humans is discussed without
reference to the question of an 'optimum' population for other life-forms.
Deep approach
: Excessive pressures on planetary life stem from the human
population explosion. Pressures stemming from industrial societies are a major
factor and population reduction must have high priority in these areas.
Cultural diversity and appropriate technology
Shallow approach
: Industrialization on the Western model is held to be the goal
for developing countries.
Deep approach
: Industrialization and modern technologies should not be allowed
to destroy the cultural identity, diversity and values of non-industrial societies.
Cultural diversity is the human analogue of biodiversity.
Land and sea ethics
Shallow approach
: Landscapes, ecosystems, rivers and so forth are conceptually
fragmented and regarded as the properties and resources of individuals,
organizations and states. Conservation is argued in terms of 'costs' and 'benefits'.
Deep approach
: The Earth does not belong to humans; we only inhabit the lands
and must only use resources to satisfy vital needs. If the non-vital needs of
humans conflict with the vital needs of non-humans, then humans should defer
to the latter.
Education and scientific enterprise
Shallow approach
: The degradation of the environment and resource depletion
require the training of more experts who can advise on technologies and policies
designed to maintain economic growth while maintaining a healthy environment.
Deep approach
: If sane ecological policies are adopted, education should concen-
trate on increasing human awareness and sensitivity to the natural world and
combating the growth of consumer materialism.
Naess's views on deep ecology have been developed by Bill Devall and George
Sessions (1985), leading to the identification of a series of ethico-political principles.
They stressed that deep ecology sees humans as part of nature, rather than separate
or superior to it. The idea of humanity's
dominance
over nature was one they believed
the modern technocratic-industrial society had elevated to a matter of principle -
humans dominating nature, men dominating women, the West over non-Western
