The deep ecology vision is an empowering one. It offers a view of life that nourishes the human spirit. It offers a community of support to face the political and ethical challenges of our time. It promotes practices to help change old patterns of thinking and acting. Finally, it reconciles humans with the larger natural world that is our home.
All life forms have intrinsic value, which is independent of their usefulness to human beings.
Diversity and complexity of life forms and cultures contribute to the well-being of all life. Humans are part of nature, and because of our potential impact, we have a greater responsibility than all other species toward nature. Present human interference in the non-human world is detrimental to many life forms and ecosystems, which has precipitated a global crisis that is rapidly getting worse. Destructive patterns of economic production and consumption as well as spiraling population growth are key elements of this interference. Fundamental economic, technological, political, and cultural policies and practices must be restructured in light of their present impact upon the natural world.