Deep Ecology: Living as if Nature Mattered

Deep Ecology explores the philosophical, psychological, and sociological roots of today’s environmental movement, examines the human-centred assumptions behind most approaches to nature, explores the possibilities of an expanded human consciousness, and offers specific direct action suggestions for individuals to practice. Widely read in it first printing, Deep Ecology has established itself as one of the most significant books on environmental thought to appear in this decade.

Deep Ecology is subversive, but it’s the kind of subversion we can use. –San Francisco Chronicle

This book is an attempt at codifying a scattered body of ecological insight into a philosophy that places human beings on an absolutely equal footing with all other creatures on the planet. –Stephanie Mills, Whole Earth Review

Difficult and (to some) unfamiliar insights on nature and human beings presented with simplicity and clarity, Deep Ecology rattles a cage full of occidental presumptions and yet it all seems almost like common sense. –Gary Snyder

Bill Devall has studied the social organisation, politics, psychology and philosophy of the environmental movement for fifteen years. He teaches at Humbolt State University in California and is active in many environmental groups including Earth First! and the Sierra Club.