Integral ecology is a holistic approach to ecology, emphasizing human and social dimensions, and the interconnectedness of life on Earth. It studies the relationships between living organisms and the ecosystem in which they develop. of Assisi.
Etymology
The use of the term 'integral ecology' probably first appeared in Hillary B. Moore's Marine Ecology in 1958. Since then, multiple authors have used the term to convey unique but overlapping concepts in the intellectual atmosphere of ecology. In the two decades leading up to the encyclical's release, the concept evolved into a formal term, largely due to the contributions of Leonardo Boff and Thomas Berry. According to Ryszard F. Sadowski, parts of Pope Francis's encyclical on integral ecology seem to have been influenced by Boff and Berry. Some similar themes include the holistic approach, the common good, and sustainability.
Orismology
Catholic church teaching
Integral ecology, as described by Pope Francis in chapter four of his encyclical Laudato si’, is a holistic approach to understanding the interconnectedness of humans, society, and the environment. It posits that the current pace of consumption, waste accumulation, and environmental change is unsustainable and threatens to precipitate global catastrophes.
Berry's integral ecology
The concept of integral ecology has been (significantly) influenced by cultural historian Thomas Berry. According to Berry, humanity has entered a period of ecological crisis due to excessive anthropocentrism and consumerism, leading to the exploitation and devastation of the planet. Berry criticized the destructive impact of modern technologies, such as chemical fertilizers and deforestation, which have depleted natural resources and harmed the environment. He argued that while humans have traditionally held a spiritual connection to nature, this reverence has diminished in recent centuries, leading to a loss of ecological wisdom.
To address this crisis, Berry envisioned an "Ecozoic Era", characterized by a harmonious relationship between humans and the earth. Berry added that "[t]his new geobiological period is the condition for the integral functioning of the planet in all phases of its activities, whether these be biological, ecological, economic, cultural, or religious." Being part of the Ecozoic Era would require a fundamental shift in human consciousness and the recognition that everything in this universe is sacred and interconnected.
Boff introduces the concept of "integral ecology," as a way to integrate all dimensions of ecology – economic, social, cultural, political, and spiritual – into a new alliance between humanity and nature. Liberation theology, traditionally focused on the plight of the poor, is presented as needing to adopt this new ecological cosmology. In order to ensure our well-being, it must recognize Earth as a conscious entity and see humanity as its mode of expression. Boff emphasizes "it is the earth itself that, through one of its expressions – the human species – takes on a conscious direction in this new phase of the process of evolution."