A Platform of the Deep Ecology Movement
(from Arne Naess, Ecology, Community and Lifestyle)
• The flourishing of human and non-human life on Earth has intrinsic value. The value of non-human life forms is independent of the usefulness these may have for human purposes.
• Richness and diversity of life forms are values in themselves and contribute to the flourishing of human and non-human life on Earth.
• Humans have no right to reduce richness and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.
• Present human interference with the non-human world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.
• The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible with a substantial decrease of the human population. The flourishing of non-human life requires such a decrease.
• Significant change of life conditions for the better requires change in policies. These affect basic economic, technological, and ideological structures.
• The ideological change is mainly that of appreciating lifequality (dwelling in situations of intrinsic value) rather than adhering to a high standard of living. There will be a profound awareness of the difference between big and great.
• Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation directly or indirectly to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes.
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