Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Shifting role of ecology in solving global environmental problems: selected practical tools

  • Review
  • Published:
Environment, Development and Sustainability Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

As environmental issues changed its focus from pollution and endangered species to fulfilling basic human needs, such as health, education, shelter, sanitation, hygiene, on the one hand and social justice on the other hand, it widened in its scope. People questioned about adequacy of ecological knowledge in solving daily questions in their life, and also contribution of their values, objective life situations and idea of quality of life for ecological well-being. Two core and complimentary values strongly emerged from the concept of sustainable development; namely environmental protection and justice. Unfortunately, there is lack of awareness on dimensions of human life and its linkages with the wider environment. To combine the values, dimensions of human life and its linkages with external environment, fundamental changes in human behaviour for human development is required. Present article reflects on dimensions of life, essential skills and practical tools for environmental protection and human development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Agarwal, A. (1988). Beyond pretty trees and tigers in India. In D. C. Pitt (Ed.), Future of the environment (CH. 5, pp. 93–125). New York: IUCN, Routledge.

  • Albreicht, G. L., & Devlieger, P. J. (1999). The disability paradox: High quality of life against all odds. Social Science and Medicine, 48, 977–988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Arizpe, L. (1996). Culture and environment. Nature and Resources, 32(1), 2–5.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barrette, G. W. (1985). A problem solving approach to resource management. BioScience, 35, 423–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barton, T., Borrini-Feyerabend, G., de Sherbinin, A., & Warren, P. (1997). Our people our resources. Gland Switzerland, Cambridge, UK: IUCN.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baumister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: Desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation. Psychological Bulletin, 117(3), 487–529.

    Google Scholar 

  • Butler, C. D. (2008). Environmental change. Injustice and Sustainable Development Bioethical Inquiry. doi:10.1007/s11673-008-9078-58.

    Google Scholar 

  • Castri, F. D. (1995). The chair of sustainable development. Nature and Resources, 31(3), 2–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chambers, R. (1988). Putting people first. In D.C. Pitt (Ed.), The future of the environment: The social dimensions of conservation and ecological alternatives, (Ch. 1, pp. 5–22). London, New York: Routledge.

  • Chambers, R., & Conway, G. R. (1991). Sustainable rural livelihoods: Practical concepts for the 21st century (pp. 1–24). Institute of Development Studies, discussion paper 296.

  • Coates, J., Gray, M., & Hetherington, T. (2006). An eco-spiritual perspective: Finally a place for indigenous approaches. British Journal of Social Work, 36, 381–399.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza, R., Fisher, B., Ali, S., Beer, C., Bond, L., Boumans, R., et al. (2007). Quality of life: An approach integrating opportunities human needs and subjective well-being. Ecological Economics, 61, 267–276.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EBM tools network. (2009) Webinar transcript: Managing ecosystems. Managing fisheries: How do EBM and EBFM relate, March 16, 2009. Retrieved from http://www.ebmtools.org/about_ebm/meam.

  • Eckersley, R. (2006). Progress, sustainability and human wellbeing: Is a new worldview emerging? International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, 1(4), 306–317.

    Google Scholar 

  • Engel, R. (1988). Ethics. In: D.C. Pitt (Ed.) The future of the environment: The social dimensions of conservation and ecological alternatives, (Ch. 2, pp. 23–45). London, New York: Routledge.

  • Falkenmark, M., & Folke, C. (2002). The ethics of socio-eco-hydrological catchment management: Towards hydrosolidarity. Hydrology and Earth Sciences, 6(1), 1–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gardner, G. T., & Stern, P. C. (1996). Environmental problems and human behavior. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ghai, D. (1994). Environment livelihood and empowerment. Development and Change, 25(1), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Haughton, G. (1999). Environmental justice and sustainable city. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 18, 233–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IDRC. (1992). For earth’s sake: A report from the commission on developing countries and global change. Ottawa, ON: International Development Research Centre.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S. (2000). Human nature and environmentally responsible behaviour. Journal of Social Issues, 56(3), 491–508.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaplan, S., & Kaplan, R. (1989). The visual environment: Public participation in design and planning. Journal of Social Issues, 45, 59–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lazarus, R. J. (1993). Pursuing environmental justice: the distributional effects of environmental protection. Northwestern University Law Review, 87(3), 787–857.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leslie, H. M., & McLeod, K. L. (2007). Confronting the challenges of implementing marine ecosystem-based management. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 5(10), 540–548.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Light, A. (2002). Contemporary environmental ethics from metaethics to public philosophy. Metaphilosophy, 33(4), 426–449.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ludwig, D. (2000). Limitations of economic valuation of ecosystems. Ecosystems, 3, 31–35.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mannual-Navarette, D., Kay, J. J., & Dolderman, D. (2004). Ecological integrity discourses: Linking ecology with cultural transformation. Human Ecology Review, 911(3), 215–229.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manteaw, B. O. (2010). Education in global environmental politics: Why the discourse of education for sustainable development needs attention. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 9(1–3), 74–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehta, A. (2011). 3S-management: Management by spirituality. Sensitivity and Sustainability Elixir Management, 36, 3574–3580.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, J. W., Frank, D. J., Hironaka, A., Schofer, E., & Tuma, N. B. (1997). The structuring of the world environmental regime 1870–1990. International Organization, 54, 623–651.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muralidhara, B. S. (1992). Indian philosophy Vs management practice. Tattvaloka: The Splendour of Truth, 14(5), 31–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Murray, C., & Chen, L. (1993). In search of a contemporary theory for understanding mortality change. Social Science Medicine, 36(2), 143–155.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • O’ Connor, R. J. (2000). Why ecology lags behind biology. The scientist, 14(35), 1–3.

    Google Scholar 

  • Odum, E. P., & Barrett, G. W. (2005). Fundamentals of ecology (5th ed.). Brooks/Cole: Thomson Asia Pte Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, S., & Christie, P. (2000). What are we learning from tropical coastal management experiences. Coastal Management, 28, 5–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olsen, S. B., Juda, L., Grigalunas, T. A., Sutinen, J. G., Hennessey, T. M., & Grigalunas, T. A. (2006). A handbook on governance and socioeconomics of large marine ecosystems. Kingston, RI: Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island.

    Google Scholar 

  • Panchmukhi, V. R. (1992). Eternal values and management perspective. Tattvaloka: The Splendour of Truth, 14(5), 72–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitt, D. C. (1988a). Education. In D. C. Pitt (Ed.), The future of the environment: The social dimensions of conservation and ecological alternatives, Ch. 3 (pp. 46–59). London, New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pitt, D. C. (1988b). Conservation strategies and basic needs. In D. C. Pitt (Ed.), The future of the environment: The social dimensions of conservation and ecological alternatives, (Ch. 10) (pp. 204–213). London, New York: Routledge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pretty, J., & Ward, H. (2001). Social capital and the environment. World Development, 29(2), 209–227.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ranganathanandaji, S. (2000). Human excellence. Ramkrishna Math, Domalguda, Hyderabad: Vivekananda Institute of human excellence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reave, L. (2005). Spiritual values and practices related to leadership effectiveness. The Leadership Quarterly, 16, 655–687.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, J. (2004a). Squaring the circle? Some thoughts on the idea of sustainable development. Ecological Economics, 48, 369–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robinson, J. (2004b). Squaring the circle? Some thoughts on the idea of sustainable development. Ecological Economics, 48, 369–384.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sarma, V. K. (1992). Sastric views for management. Tattvaloka: The Splendour of Truth, 14(5), 14–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sastri, S. N. (1992). Karma Yoga in formal organisations. Tattvaloka: The Splendour of Truth, 14(5), 36–40.

    Google Scholar 

  • Seetharamu, S. (1992). Purusharthas and work motivation. Tattvaloka: The Splendour of Truth, 14(5), 41–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Penguin Books p. 252.

  • Smith, C. (2009). Reconnecting with the universe, religious education for eco-spirituality. Religious Education Journal of Australia, 25(1), 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sobber, E. (1986). Philosophical problems for environmentalism. In B. Norton (Ed.), The preservation of species (pp. 173–194). Princeton: Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Srikantananda, S. (2010). What is real personality?. Ramakrishna Math, Hyderabad: Vivekananda Institute of Human excellence.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swihart, R. K., Dunning, J. B., Jr., & Waser, P. M. (2002). Gray matters in ecology: Dynamics of pattern, process and scientific. Bulletin of the Ecological Society of America, 83(2), 149–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • UNEP. (2010). Marine and coastal ecosystem-based management. An introductory guide to managing oceans and coasts better. In 12th Global Meeting of Regional Seas Conventions and Actions Plans, Norway, 20th–22nd September 2010.

  • UNEP/GPA. (2006). The state of the marine environment: Regional assessments (Ch. 6, pp. 46–150). The Hague: UNEP/GPA.

  • Upsani, M. (1988). Satchinanda Sopana. In H. Sankalia (Ed.), The teachings of Shri Upsani Maharaj. India: Upsani Sthan Sakori.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vernadskij, V. I. (1945). The biosphere and the noosphere. American Scientist, 33, 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vishwanathan, R. (1992). Body is the temple of god. Tattvaloka: The Splendour of Truth, 14(5), 87–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vivekananda. (1921). The complete works of the Swami Vivekananda. Himalaya series no. XIII. Guranga press, Calcutta.

  • Vivekananda, S. (2010). Vivekananda his call to the nation: A compilation. 43rd Impression, Advaita Ashram, Publication Department, Kolkata.

  • Walia, K. (2010). My idea of education: Compilation of Swami Vivekananda’s thoughts on education. Advaita Ashram: Publication Department Kolkata.

    Google Scholar 

  • WCC. (1993) Preparing to meet the coastal challenges of the 21st century: Conference report 1–5 November 1993. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

  • Zimmerman, E. W. (1951). World resources and industries: A functional appraisal of the availability of agricultural and industrial materials. New York: Harper and Brothers.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Author is thankful to Society of Integrated Coastal Management and World Bank funded Integrated Coastal Management Project; Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India.

Author information

Author notes

  1. S. M. Marale

    Present address: Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM), No. 9 Institutional Area, First floor, Lodhi Road, New Delhi, 110003, India

Authors and Affiliations

    Authors
    1. S. M. Marale
      View author publications

      You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

    Corresponding author

    Correspondence to S. M. Marale.

    Rights and permissions

    Reprints and permissions

    About this article

    Cite this article

    Marale, S.M. Shifting role of ecology in solving global environmental problems: selected practical tools. Environ Dev Sustain 14, 869–884 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9362-8

    Download citation

    • Received:

    • Accepted:

    • Published:

    • Issue Date:

    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-012-9362-8

    Keywords

    Search

    Navigation