Deep Ecology - All Living Things have Value

Have you ever heard the term "deep ecology"? It was referred to recently in a book I was reading with only the most basic of explanations. I had to look it up. The term was coined in 1972 by Norwegian philosopher Arne Naess. It demands we move away from our human-centered view and towards a more connected, eco-centric view where all living things have value, regardless of their usefulness to humans.

My journey in understanding life was about more than just humans began early. I still vividly remember as a young child losing it when I discovered where meat really came from.  They had labels on meat, but it didn't really sink that meant I was eating a real animal until one day my mom told me someone had given us rabbit.  Notice she said rabbit, not a rabbit.  When I asked to see it, she didn't get the significance and told me to look in the fridge. There was a plate of raw meat covered in plastic wrap.  I freaked out. 

Another time someone gave us three chickens and my dad killed them in the back yard, and my mum cleaned them on the porcelain sideboard at our kitchen sink. I was both repelled by the killing and curious about what was inside. A weird combination. The intrigue of understanding biology warred with the despair at their beheading.

My young years were spent in a small town in the Mid-West. Everyone ate meat. I never heard of diets that lacked it, or the words vegetarian or vegan. The expectations on what people would eat were set - meat, potatoes, veggies (frozen or canned), Jello salads, burgers, bologna. Most people I knew didn’t have a lot of money, so you ate whatever you could afford. There were no products to help one embrace a diet without meat, or options offered in restaurants for those who didn't eat. At least to my knowledge. I have to admit we didn't go to restaurants. There was no money for that kind of luxury.

Somewhere in my mid-twenties I quit eating meat. It wasn't easy as again, the idea of offering meals not based on meat was still in its infancy.  I was too embarrassed to refuse to eat meat when having dinner at someone's home. It just wasn't done.  The pressure got to me and eventually I gave up. I was back to eating whatever everyone else was when out, but often didn’t when alone.

A few years later I married a true carnivore.  I had always been told how to think and what was right and wrong as a kid, so was determined I wasn't going to tell the man I loved he needed to give up meat. That was his choice. I cooked a variety of meat and non-meat meals. When I became pregnant I committed to giving my kids information, but letting decide on their own what they would and would not eat. I simply served non-meat dishes occasionally without a fuss. 

Over the years I have struggled trying to keep a balance in my life not only when it comes to my feelings about where meat comes from, but also the demands of trying to live sustainability in all areas of my live.  Money was tight when our kids were young and I honestly couldn't afford high-quality, expensive clothes or organic meat and vegetables.  We were hanging on sometimes by a thread.  

Now that the kids are gone and the house paid off, we do have more choice on how we approach sustainability issues. The city I live in has made recycling and green bins a priority, for which I am grateful. And I try my best to make the best choices possible, but consumption can still be a problem, and waste still works its way into my life. I continue to make a few non-meat meals each week which my husband is fine with, and do my best to buy products that are healthier.  We eat out rarely and I cook most days from scratch. 

Despite all this, I know I am not doing great overall.  There is still too much consumerism happening in our house, too many convenience foods, and clothing choices that aren't Eco/Sustainable. I have too much.  As I read more about deep ecology that day, I realized I was ready to make more of an an effort to shift my life choices  the right direction.  I do believe everything in the world is interconnected, and have a lot of anxiety right now the about choices governments are currently making that are turning back the clock on initiatives to protect the environment and support reducing the causes of global warming. 

I do believe each plant, insect, tree, grass, bird, animal, and human being are interconnected parts of a healthy eco system. I also believe focusing only on human interests such as mining and building with a total disregard for how this will affect the whole has the potential to be devastating. In the end, everything needs to be in balance, and that happens when every element is respected.

Where this does this leave me personally? I am not sure in this moment. I just know I am feeling the pull to dive into this topic seriously, and to see where I can improve my impact on the world. I am not looking for perfection, I am looking to simply start moving in the right direction. I think most of us can do better. I know I can. I know it will be a slow, long process.  But doing better is a worthy goal, and so much better than doing nothing. 

One final note - in addition to improving choices in our daily life, I think we all need to use our voting power to elect officials  that take sustainability issues seriously.  Look behind the public image and speeches to their voting records and actions behind the scene. What have they said previously?  Does their voting record support these issues?  Then take that knowledge with you during the next election. Make your voice clear.