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Ecological Health

“What we are doing to the forests of the world is but a mirror reflection of what we are doing to ourselves.” – Mahatma Gandhi


“Protecting the environment is not a luxury; it’s a necessity.” – Unknown


“Nature is not a place to visit. It is home.” – Gary Snyder

ECOLOGICAL HEALTH - The planet is our Mother and all its creatures our family. When they are sick we cannot be well. Connect with some of the ways people are helping Nature recover from our ravages. 

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Ecological Wholeness

The concept of ecological wholeness profoundly influences our understanding of ecological health by framing it as an important part of an integrated, interconnected system rather than a collection of isolated components.  Ecological wholeness emphasizes the relationships between humans, their ecosystems, and the broader environment in which they live.  We must consider the health impacts of the broader environment, and even the planet and its life-support systems as inseparable from human well-being.
 
Humanity is part of the larger ecosystem. It has always been that way.  Our ancestors evolved within it. Before human history began about 10,000 years ago, our ancient ancestors lived almost completely in balance with their natural environment.  Everything they utilized or encountered was also a part of that natural environment.  Sure, there were dangers like the usual chance encounter with predators that required constant vigilance,  but there was no air or water pollution back then, no toxic chemicals to ingest or to breathe, no piles of waste which were breeding grounds for all sorts of pestilence and no toxic chemicals.  In fact, there was not contamination of any type to worry about unless it was fostered by some superstitious myths that may have existed at the time. 

Today, the situation is vastly different.  From the toxic chemicals and cleaning agents we use within our homes, to pesticides we use on our lawns or on our farms to grow our crops, to noise pollution, to the ways we mine our natural resources, to toxic preservatives in our mass-produced foods, to the polluted air we breathe or water we drink, we must always be on-guard to the deleterious effects all these things can have on our health. 

polluted environment

We have a choice.

 

  Which environment do you prefer to live in?

beautiful home garden

Ecological wholeness is rooted in the idea that all parts of a system are interconnected and interdependent.  Humanity is not separate from nature.  We are all integral participants in the ecological systems in which we are a part of.  It requires balance and reciprocity to maintain this ecological integrity.  When ecosystems are viewed through the lens of ecological wholeness, health is understood not merely as the absence of harm but as a dynamic state of balance that sustains life (including ours) and nurtures biodiversity.


This interconnectedness underscores the importance of ecosystem services—such as air or water purification, sewage disposal, waste removal and storage, mineral extraction, toxic chemical disposal and even climate regulation—all directly support human survival and well-being.  Disruptions to any or all of these services through the use of man-made chemicals, deforestation, pollution, civil unrest or climate change reduce both ecological health and human quality of life.  Ecological wholeness compels us to recognize that ecological degradation is not an isolated environmental issue but a systemic problem that affects our physical, mental, and collective societal health.


Human Well-Being and Ecological Wholeness


The concept of ecological wholeness links physical and mental health with human well-being by emphasizing their mutual dependence. For example:

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  • Physical Health: Ecosystems mitigate disease vectors, provide clean air and water, and support food security. Destruction of these systems can lead to increased exposure to toxic chemicals or diseases such as viral or bacterial infections or other water or air borne illnesses or toxicities.

  • Mental Health: Access to green spaces has been shown to improve psychological well-being by reducing stress and fostering individual and community cohesion.

  • Social Health: Ecological wholeness encourages viewing environmental stewardship as a collective responsibility, fostering cooperation and shared purpose among communities and individual community members.

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By integrating all these aspects, ecological wholeness promotes a holistic approach to ecological health that aligns with human flourishing, not to mention with all the other living creatures with whom we share our planet.


Ecological Wholeness in Practice: A Pathway to Sustainability


Ecological wholeness also provides practical guidance for addressing ecological challenges:

 

  • Restoration and Balance: Efforts such as reforestation or wetland restoration aim to restore balance within ecosystems, ensuring their resilience and capacity to support life.

  • Reciprocity with Nature: Indigenous traditions often embody ecological wholeness by advocating for reciprocal relationships with the environment.  Environmental regulations and other  practices inspire sustainable approaches that prioritize harmony with the environment over exploitation.

  • Integrative Solutions: Policies grounded in ecological wholeness address multiple dimensions simultaneously—for instance, urban planning that incorporates green spaces enhances both ecological health and human well-being.


Challenges and Ethical Implications


Despite its transformative potential, adopting ecological wholeness including living in harmony with the environment as a guiding principle faces many challenges.  Modern industrial and commercial systems often prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term sustainability, fragmenting ecosystems and undermining their capacity to function holistically.  Additionally, ecological wholeness requires cultural shifts toward recognizing humanity’s relationship and embeddedness within natural systems—a perspective often overshadowed by individualistic, institutional or anthropocentric worldviews.


Ethically, ecological wholeness calls for respect for all life forms and acknowledgment of humanity’s responsibility to maintain planetary balance.  This includes addressing inequities in environmental impact, as marginalized communities and nature itself disproportionately suffer from ecological degradation.

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Sustainable actions


One of the most impactful ways you can contribute to ecological wholeness is by reducing consumption and making more sustainable choices:

 

  • Reduce overall consumption: Buying fewer goods and services can decrease demand for resource-intensive production. Vote with your money – boycott companies with harmful environmental practices or products.

  • Choose durable products: Opting for long-lasting, reusable items over single-use products reduces waste and resource depletion.  Substitute harmful products or services for environmentally friendly ones.

  • Support sustainable products: Purchasing products that support responsible farming practices like soil conservation, growing organic foods and forest conservation.

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Adopting a more plant-based diet is a powerful individual action that can significantly reduce your environmental impact:

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  • Reduce meat consumption: Gradually decrease meat intake while increasing plant-based proteins like beans, nuts, and whole grains.

  • Minimize food waste: Buy less food, shop more frequently, and freeze produce to prevent spoilage.  Eat less by living a healthy lifestyle and by optimizing your weight (and your health) to match your natural body size.

  • Compost: Support or participate in local community composting initiatives.

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Individual choices in energy use and transportation can contribute to reducing chemical and toxic gas emissions:

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  • Choose renewable energy: When possible, opt for renewable energy sources like wind or solar for home electricity generation.

  • Reduce car usage: Use bicycles, public or even shared transportation for daily commutes to decrease emissions.  Work from home when possible.

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You can amplify your impact through civic engagement and collective action:

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  • Support education initiatives: Volunteer for or contribute to programs that educate the public regarding environmental issues.  Hold accountable and increase vigilance of commercial and/or industrial polluters.

  • Advocate for policy changes: Contact government representatives to support initiatives that reduce food and/or energy waste, diminish pollution and oppose subsidies to unsustainable industries or those responsible for pollution or squandering resources.

  • Protect forests: Support organizations working to train farming and forest communities in sustainable land management and reforestation. Promote permaculture practices.

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Making deeper commitments to sustainability through your lifestyle changes can also have lasting impacts:

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  • Water conservation: Take shorter showers and be mindful of water usage in daily routines.

  • Energy consumption: Adjust thermostats to promote more energy conservation. Turn off unnecessary lighting or other nonessential equipment.

  • Sustainable transportation: Choose low-emission travel options for both daily commutes and vacation travel.  A walk to your local market is good for your physical and health.

  • Minimize the use of products made with toxic chemicals or that have them embedded within the product: Switch to environmentally friendly products.


By adopting these individual actions, you can contribute to a more holistic and balanced approach to environmental sustainability and ecological wholeness not only for yourself but for the larger community in which you live.  While individual efforts alone may not solve all ecological challenges, they are essential in creating momentum for systemic change and fostering a collective commitment to ecological wholeness.  You just might discover that, in the process your physical and mental health and overall well-being is improving as well as that of your community.
 

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