Ekocentrizma

Ekocentrizma, or ecocentrism, is an environmental philosophy that places intrinsic value on all components of the natural world, including non‑human species, ecosystems, and ecological processes. Unlike anthropocentric viewpoints that prioritize human interests, ecocentrism argues that humans are just one part of a larger ecological network and that ethical consideration should extend beyond human welfare.

The origins of ecocentrism can be traced to early 20th‑century ecological thought, though the term itself gained prominence in the late 1970s with the publication of Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac and the articulation of the Idea of the Land ethic. Leopold suggested that the moral obligation of humans is to preserve the integrity, stability, and beauty of the biotic community. Subsequent thinkers such as Arne Naess further refined the concept, distinguishing it from biocentrism. While biocentrism affirms the value of each living being, ecocentrism emphasizes ecological wholes, arguing that the health of ecosystems cannot be reduced to the sum of their parts.

Ecocentrism informs many contemporary environmental policies, influencing conservation strategies that aim to maintain ecosystem services, biodiversity, and ecological resilience. Critics contend that the philosophy can be too idealistic, potentially hindering pragmatic solutions to human‑centered concerns such as economic development and social justice. Proponents counter that long‑term human welfare ultimately depends on robust ecosystems, and that ecological integrity should be preserved as a public good.

In practice, ecocentrism is reflected in legal frameworks such as the 1992 Rio Declaration, which stresses the protection of all ecosystems, and in environmental movements that advocate for landscape‑level planning and ecosystem restoration. The debate between ecocentric and anthropocentric perspectives continues to shape discussions on climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development.