Ecological Civilization: Crisis, Rights, and Sustainability

Introduction

The global ecological crisis is the largest challenge humanity has ever had to face (Gare, 2017). Beyond the abuse of natural resources, our present methods of consuming and producing goods — modeled on economic output rather than on bio-capacity — are jeopardizing the living conditions of humans while simultaneously eroding the social foundations of human societies. International threats emerge when the demands of the ecological and social system exceed the carrying capacity of the natural environment. Global environmental threats are not merely socio-psychological constructs invented to promote new methods of social regulation. They are the result of an economic development model in which environmental costs are shared by everyone, while financial benefits accrue to a few — a dynamic that will reshape our planet for a considerable period.

The most probable global catastrophic threats appear to stem from human actions, particularly those arising from modern technologies and industrialization (Heurtebise, 2017). The success of the neoliberal agenda, coupled with a pervasive scientism, has reduced both people and nature to consumers, instruments, and raw materials to be efficiently managed in a global market governed by technocrats, media figures, and corporate leaders. The resulting trajectory of global environmental damage seems difficult to reverse, and neither environmental movements nor governments have meaningfully changed course — or, in reality, appear ready to do so (Gare, 2017).

Ecological Civilization as a Concept

Ecological civilization is a novel concept in the development of human civilization. It refers to the organizational, spiritual, and material achievements that support the laws governing compatible natural, social, and human growth. Ecological civilization is both an ideology and an ethical framework. It encompasses an understanding of sustainable development and harmonious cooperation among people. It also acknowledges sustainable growth and compatible co-existence between nature and society, and between nature and people, marking an advance in human civilization (UNEP, 2016).

The original, explicit use of the concept of ecological civilization appeared in the book Ecological Democracy, in which the author argued that "an ecological civilization would be based on three support systems such as harmony, balance, and democracy" (Heurtebise, 2017). This notion of ecological civilization reinforces sustainable development theory, creating strong practices and innovations for advancing civilization to a higher level. A central demand of ecological civilization is that nature must be safeguarded, respected, and integrated into human planning. Clean water and green hills should be considered precious assets. The outdated view — that people could conquer nature and disregard the carrying capacity of resources — must be abandoned. Sustained efforts must be made to live in harmony with nature, enabling a new approach to modernization defined by co-existence (UNEP, 2016).

Global Warming and Environmental Threats

Compared to many modern ecological disasters, global warming alone poses sufficient danger to threaten life on Earth. Climate change — the widely recognized term for the broader consequences of global warming — results from humanity's profound impact on the planet. Human dependence on oil, gas, and coal is harmful both to human well-being and to long-term survival. A dangerously warmer planet would be hostile to life in the oceans, forests, ecosystems, and wildlife, and would threaten drinking water supplies and agriculture. Some nations could disappear entirely. The populations of many countries would be forced to relocate, generating devastating ecological footprints and perpetual conflicts (Vallianatos, 2012).

Conclusion

Given our current circumstances, it would be disingenuous to dismiss the real and present dangers posed by modern civilization. Ecological civilization depends on generating a sustainable human, ecological, and social metabolism — one that allows society to continuously meet both ecological and human needs. Building an ecological civilization that is socially just and equitable will not happen automatically. It will come about only through sustained vigilance and concerted collective action by an engaged and active population.