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The position of the Ecocentric Alliance rests on two foundational documents: the eight points of the ecocentric Deep Ecology platform; and the eleven principles from the Manifesto for Earth.
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Adapted from this article
1: The well-being and flourishing of the living Earth and its many organic and inorganic parts have intrinsic value, that is, value in themselves. Such values are independent of the usefulness of the non-human world for human purposes.
2: The richness and diversity of Earth's ecosystems, including the organic forms that they nurture and support, contribute to the realization of these values and are also values in themselves.
3: It is wrong for humans to reduce the diversity of Earth's ecosystems and their vital constituents, organic and inorganic.
4: The creative flourishing of Earth and its multitudinous nonhuman parts, organic and inorganic, requires a substantial decrease in human population. The flourishing of human life and culture is compatible with such a decrease.
5: Present human interference with the non-human world is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.
6: The pattern of human activities must therefore be changed. These changes will affect basic economic, technological and ideological structures. The resulting state of affairs would be deeply different from the present.
7: An important part of this change is appreciating all life and its intrinsic value rather than mainly pursuing endless economic growth.
8: Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation to participate in the attempt to implement the necessary changes.
Adapted from this article
CORE PRINCIPLES
1: The Ecosphere is the center of value for humanity.
2: The creativity and productivity of Earth's ecosystems depend on their integrity.
3: The Earth-centered worldview is supported by natural history.
4: Ecocentric ethics are grounded in awareness of our place in nature.
5: An ecocentric worldview values diversity of ecosystems and cultures.
6: Ecocentric ethics support social justice.
ACTION PRINCIPLES
7: Defend and preserve Earth's creative potential.
8: Reduce human population size.
9: Reduce consumption of Earth's vital constituents.
10: Promote ecocentric governance.
11: Spread the message.
1: We have arrived at our perspective regarding the ultimate value of Earth and its systems via diverse routes, including science, intuition, literature, poetry, various spiritual traditions and experiences in nature. Ecocentrism is holistic, encompassing the best scientific evidence as well as the deepest intuitions and realizations of our human status on this planet.
2: We agree that giving the highest priority to Earth's ecological integrity and health (i.e. ahead of economic considerations) is the wisest survival strategy for all species, including our own.
3: The sense of the ultimate values of Earth and her systems comes from a combination of plain living, observing, and experiencing the obvious wonders and profound beauty of nature in all natural ecosystems.
4: Our ethics follow from valuing Earth and its constituents, inclusive of human beings.
5: Human welfare, as well as the possibility of a desirable future, absolutely requires functioning ecosystems.
6: While it is of course legitimate for all living beings, including humans, to live and enjoy living, we have to do so in ways that don't damage the time-tested regenerative systems of Earth.
7: Sometimes it makes sense to appeal to human self-interest. However, narrow human self-interest cannot override the requirement of respect for the Earth's health and integrity.