Ecosociocentrsim: A Paradigm for Sustainable Living Amid Environmental and Climate crises in Anthropocene (Keynote Speech delivered at NRNA NCC-USA 13th AGM and Knowledge Convention, Baltimore 2024).

Gopi Upreti on ResearchGateRespected Chair of Science and Techniology Committee of NRNA NCC-USA

Ladies and gentlemen

First of all, I would like to express my gratitude and the appreciation for inviting me to deliver this keynote speech at this convention. You may find the topic of my talk today somewhat ideosyncratic and may wonder what this bombastic sounding word 'Ecosociocentrism' has to do with today's environmental and climate crises. Well, in this talk today, I am introducing a conceptual framework or a paradigm that helps us understand the root causes of today's environmental and climate crisis and also provides the possible pathways for transitioning from this crisis of Anthropocene to a more sustainable living on planet Earth. I would like to start with the definition of this term 'Antropocene'. Anthropocene has been recently coined word and refers to the geological epoch characterized by the massive impacts of human activities on planet Earth. Today's environmental and climate crises is simply the symptom of the impacts of humanity's unsustainable ecological footprints on planet Earth. This unsustainable massive ecological footprints have degraded the Earth's self-regulating system or its resilience and caused the Earth's systems move away from relatively stable Halocene epoch to today's chaotic state. Without understanding and analyzing the current global political economy and the ecology of the Earth's systems, more specifically the nature of ther interaction (how political economy interacts with planetary ecosystem), the trajectory of the current environmental and climate crises cannot be changed.

As we all know, the decade of 90s was marked by a global awakening toward environmental conserva­tion and sustainable development. For the first time, these concepts became the focal point of development discourses among professionals, planners, and institutions involved in shaping pol­icy across the globe. Significantly, this was also the era of Our Common Future, the pivotal Brundtland World Commission Report on Environment and Development (WCED) published in 1987. The report was the first to offer an official, albeit inade­quate, definition of sustainable development, which subsequently informed policy directives in nations worldwide. In this era, the environment earned its rightful place within the development policy framework of nations, spawning a movement that continues to this day. The mantra of sustainable development has since echoed in every corner of national and international forums and discourses, from development experts to politicians. Ever since sustainable develop­ment emerged as the touted model for progress, it became apparent to me that the model failed to embrace the foundational ecological principles that underpin genu­ine environmental sustainability. This revelation made it clear that sustainable development, in many ways, was a sophisticated reframing of the existing neoliberal growth model, masked by its appealing novelty.

Over the last 50 years of the Anthropocene epoch, the current neoloiberal growth economic paradigm has succeeded on two fronts: a relentless, unsustainable extraction of Earth’s resources to feed the insatiable appetite for growth and the promotion of ecologically hostile consumer­ism as a means to perpetuate corporate wealth accumulation. This model’s egre­gious consequences are far-reaching, ravaging the health and integrity of Earth’s systems with an alarming ferocity. The devastating fallout from this model is manifested in the catastrophic breakdown of planetary ecosystems, rapidly accelerating climate change, the extinction and annihilation of millions of species, ocean acidification, destruction of the coral reef ecosystem, toxic pollution, and the desertification of previously fertile lands, rapid deglaciation of Hindu Kush Himalaya and Antarctica. The continuity of Homo sapiens and Earth’s living system now hangs in the balance under an increasingly ominous cloud of uncertainty.

We live in a critical period in Earth’s history, in which humanity’s impact on the environment has escalated to a scale that is impacting not only the health and vitality of the planet but also the existential threat to the entire living system, including our own. This crisis can no longer be addressed solely through technological advancements or cosmetic policy changes of the nation-states. A fundamental shift in human collective consciousness and behavioral patterns is required—a shift that allows us to view the environment not as a separate entity but as an integral organic part of ourselves and of all life. It behooves that Earth’s systems be maintained functionally healthy and resilient to continuously generate ecological goods and services across multiple generations for sustainable living. We agree that humanity’s destiny is indispensably intertwined with a functionally healthy planet. This fact forms this book's crux: to secure our collective future, we must first ensure a functionally resilient and healthy planet.

The term "Ecosociocentrism," although not currently found in English dictionaries, is a concept coined by merging two seemingly contradictory concepts: "Ecocentrism" and "Sociocentrism." These two concepts represent opposing value systems, with Ecocentrism emphasizing the values of the natural world (ecosphere) and Sociocentrism focusing on the values of human society (sociosphere). Ecosociocentrism has been introduced to bridge the apparent gap between these ecocentric and sociocentric values, often seen as conflicting. Consequently, "Ecosociocentrism" represents a harmonious synthesis of these contrasting tendencies, proposing that they can coexist in a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship rather than being mutually exclusive. In this context, "ecosphere" refers to the planetary ecosystem or Earth's system, while "sociosphere" refers to human social, economic, and technological subsystems.

This paradigm underscores the need to reconcile conflicts between the sociosphere (social world) and ecosphere (natural world) through appropriate interactions that preserve social and ecological integrity and resilience. Developing a new global development ethics is paramount, prioritizing the preservation and enhancement of planetary ecosystems and processes in the ecosphere, along with social justice (diversity/inclusiveness and equity) and human prosperity in the sociosphere. Ecosociocentrism comprises two interactive dimensions: the ecosphere and the sociosphere. The ecosphere or the natural system is characterized by dynamic processes and attributes that have evolved over millions of years of evolutionary processes. These attributes, including autopoiesis or self-organizational complexity, resilience, diversity, and interconnectedness. Ecosociocentrism holds these attributes have both instrumental and intrinsic values. The sociosphere pertains to the human social, economic, and cultural system. In sociosphere also, same value attributes like diversity/inclusiveness, social autopoiesis, interconnectedness, and resilience seem to be prevalent. In other words, there is a value dualism having more or less same values occurring in both the spheres. Recognizing and protecting these values in Earth's natural system and human social system is crucial for sustaining humanity and the broader living system. Sociocentric ethics seeks to maximize social good, minimize social evil, and enhance societal happiness through human actions, recognizing human needs as influential driving forces. This can only be possible if these mirror values are protected and promoted in both the spheres.

Any development lacking ecological wisdom and ethical guidance is inherently contradictory and will eventually lead to its destruction. Humanity's critical task in the Anthropocene is to resolve this contradiction by integrating the political economy of the sociosphere with the ecology of the ecosphere. Ecosociocentrism envisions the seamless integration of the global political economy with Earth's ecology, necessitating a cultural shift away from hyper-anthropocentrism and towards recognizing the intrinsic value of interconnectedness and interdependence that permeates both ecosphere and sociosphere. Ecosociocentrism calls for perceiving the well-being and sustainability of living systems (ecosphere) and human social systems (sociosphere) as deeply intertwined. It emphasizes that the vitality of the sociosphere depends on the health of the ecosphere and vice versa. This perspective encourages humanity to redefine its relationship with Nature, fostering a holistic and sustainable coexistence between humanity and the broader living system in a symbiotic relationship. Only within the framework of such a paradigm can policies and strategies emerge to protect Earth's systems, conserve living entities, and maintain the planetary ecosystem, ensuring the proper functioning of both the ecosphere and the sociosphere. Therefore, the title of my talk “Ecosociocentrism" which I have proposed, attempts to provide the metaphysical foundation for instrumental, relational, and intrinsic values associated with diversity, ecosystem health, interconnectedness, interdependence, autopoiesis, which form the basis for envi­ronmental and social sustainability.

Assumptions of Ecosociocentrism: The Earth First Paradigm

Ecosociocentrism is predicated on the following foundational assumptions:

1. The sociosphere, as an integral component of the ecosphere or biosphere, is inherently interdependent and cannot exist independently.

2. The concept of infinite economic growth is intrinsically unattainable due to the constraints imposed by entropy law and the finite biocapacity inherent to the Earth's ecosystems.

3. A socio-economic framework that incorporates environmental externalities, adopts natural resource accounting, and refrains from discounting the value of Nature holds the potential for prolonged sustainability, safeguarding the well-being of humanity and the living system.

4. While technological advancements can enhance the efficiency of resource and energy utilization, they remain incapable of replacing Nature’s life support systems and services, nor can they generate additional matter or energy (matter and energy being constant in Nature).

5. Embracing a cyclical, regenerative, and distributive economic model serves as a cornerstone for preserving the integrity of both the sociosphere and the ecosphere or biosphere, thus establishing the foundation for environmental and social sustainability.

Foundational Principles Underpinning Ecosociocentrism

Ecosociocentrism emerges from a synthesis of interdisciplinary insights, drawing upon a wealth of scientific research, epistemological studies, and a deep understanding of both human socio-cultural dynamics and natural evolutionary processes. Outlined below are nine foundational principles of this paradigm. These principles offer a framework for fostering environmental sustainability, promoting equitable human development, and ensuring the flourishing of all life on planet Earth:

1. Nested Hierarchies: The human socioeconomic and cultural system, or the sociosphere, operates as a subsystem nested within the overarching planetary ecosystem (ecosphere). The sustainability of the human subsystem is intimately intertwined with the health and vitality of the biophysical system of the planet Earth.
   

2. Limits to Growth: For sustainable development to be realized, humanity's rate of resource extraction, consumption, and waste production cannot exceed the planet's natural regenerative and assimilative capacities. Recognizing and respecting these limits is crucial to maintaining ecological balance and preventing resource depletion.

3. Dialectical Interplay: The relationship between the sociosphere and ecosphere is dynamically dialectical. Changes in one domain invariably impact the other, resulting in shifting equilibria that can either enhance or detract from the collective well-being of life on Earth. This interconnectedness demands a holistic approach to problem-solving and policymaking.
   

4. Human Agency: Armed with intellect, rationality, and collective wisdom, humanity possesses the capacity to steer environmental trajectories away from impending crises, such as climate change, towards sustainable coexistence. This principle underscores the importance of proactive and informed decision-making.

5. Ecological Reciprocity: Degrading the ecosystems that provide life-sustaining resources and services jeopardizes the survival prospects of all species, humans included. By protecting the health and functionality of our planet, we inherently safeguard humanity's health and prosperity along with the rest of the living system.

6. Value Dualism: Life-sustaining environmental functions and the intricate networks of interdependence, interconnectedness, diversity and, autopoiesis inherent in Nature possess both instrumental (utilitarian) and intrinsic (inherent) values. Recognizing and balancing these dual values is essential for ethical and sustainable development.

7. Biodiversity as Bedrock: The protection and conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and the intricate web of life are pivotal for establishing a sustainable foundation for both societal and environmental sustainability and well-being. Biodiversity enhances ecosystem services and adaptability to changing conditions.

8. Ethical Imperative: As stewards of the Earth, human development and behavior should be guided by a holistic ethical framework that recognizes and upholds both the instrumental and intrinsic values found in Nature. This ethical stance promotes actions that respect and preserve the integrity of natural systems.

9. Moral Justness in Ecosociocentrism: The ecosociocentric paradigm champions actions that bolster the planet's ecological integrity and resilience as morally just and right. Conversely, human actions that compromise these system values are morally wrong and ethically indefensible. This principle provides a moral compass for evaluating and guiding human activities.

Policy Imperatives of Ecosociocentrism

Ecosociocentrism recommends eight policy imperatives for nation-states to integrate into their national development strategies, emphasizing the political commitment to their implementation:

1. Cultural Change and Adaptation for Survival

Human cultural evolution has outpaced biological evolution, leading to precarious environmental impacts due to technological advancements and insatiable consumeristic culture. Developed countries' consumption rates, waste production, and greenhouse gas emissions highlight the magnitude of this impact. Implementing cultural change and adaptation to ecologically enabling consumption culture is crucial to addressing these issues

2 Poverty Eradication and Debt Abrogation (Swap for Nature Protection)

Addressing the heavy debt burden carried by the global South is a moral imperative. Global North must recognize its obligation to assist Global South (developing countries) in eradicating poverty and resolving the debt crisis of developing countries, where debt servicing constitutes 25 to 35 % of their national budget. Global North must consider swaping debt for Nature protection and social development in Global South. If the national budget allocated for debt servicing is diverted to Nature protection, environmnetal management and social development, it can significantly contribute to the goals of sustainable development. By doing so, they can contribute to global economic equity and prevent further ecosystem destruction.

3 Optimum Population

The world's population has significantly increased, and fossil fuel consumption and industrial production have surged. Achieving optimum population growth requires global collaboration and meaningful changes in how nations manage the global economy to balance current and future generations' needs.

4 Landscape Ecosystem and Ecoregionalism for Conservation

The preservation of biological diversity and planetary ecosystems has led to debates on how to conserve and manage them best. Ecoregions, characterized by distinct boundaries and ecological processes, generate valuable ecological services at the landscape level. Valuing biodiversity as a system within ecoregions emphasizes the protection of organisms, ecological services, and processes, providing a holistic approach to protection and conservation.

5 Restoration of Degraded Ecosystems

Ecological restoration focuses on reviving ecosystems that have suffered damage or degradation. It aims to expedite recovery and may involve replicating a pre-disturbed ecosystem or creating a new one. These efforts draw from principles in landscape ecology and are essential for ecosystem management and redevelopment. European Union (EU) introduced and passed a lagislature in EU parliament in 2023 for the restoration of Europe's degraded ecosystems by 2030. This is a very bold and noble initiative towards stabilizing planet Earth and such initiatives are highly needed in all the continents.

6 The Integration of Global Political Economy with the Ecology of Nature

The integration of the global political economy with Nature's ecology is the most critical policy imperative toward sustainable living on planet Earth. It can be achieved through adopting regenerative circular economy, the internalization of environmental externalities, natural resource accounting and the protection of natural capital, and a commitment to zero discount on Nature. This plays a crucial role in ensuring environmental and social sustainability. It is imperative now that ecology guides political economy to shift the trajectory of development from the Anthropocene towards the Symbiocene, characterized by a regenerative and circular economy aligned with the cyclical regenerative processes of Nature.

7. Transition from fossil fuels to renewable resources

Technological innovations for rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable resources can help, but they are not enough to resolve the environmental crisis and change the current trajectory. The transition from fossil fuels to solar power, wind power, electric vehicles, hydropower, green hydrogen, carbon capture, and storage technology is happening, but not at a scale to make significant impacts. There is no doubt that we need green technologies in every aspect of human activity, but such technologies can not emerge overnight, and even if they emerge, they may not be cost-effective and economically viable.

While some may argue that science and technology can enhance resource efficiency but this alone cannot ensure sustainable living on Earth. Sustainability requires maintaining the functional health of Earth's systems to meet present and future generations' needs while upholding fairness and equity. The notion that technology alone can solve these challenges without human behavioral and cultural change is considered absurd from an ecological perspective.

8. Disarmament and Reduced Military Spending: A question of human rationality?

Total global military expenditure in 2022 reached a new high of $2240 billion. The three largest spenders in 2022—the United States (900 billion US dollars), China (300 billion), and Russia (86 billion)—accounted for 56 percent of the world total, according to new data on global military spending published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).

Even if 3-4% of the global yearly military budget is diverted to the investment in Nature (protection and conservation of Keystone ecoregions, landscape ecosystems), redevelopment of Earth's degraded ecosystems, and poverty eradication, the current unfortunate trajectory of Anthropocene can be changed in one decade.  Weapons of mass destruction: nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons are increasing. Armament and military madness of the USA, NATO, China, Russia, India, and others have become the biggest threats to humanity and planet Earth.

Only the US has the power and capability to change this scenario, but it may be impossible to persuade the American Military Industrial Complex even if a rational visionary leader emerges in the political landscape of the USA. At present, human rationality cannot prevail over the military madness and arrogance of the American political and military establishment. This creates a compelling situation for its adversaries to do the same. This march towards self-destruction and annihilation cannot be stopped unless the collective Consciousness of masses of the people, scientific community, thinkers, and pacifists becomes a powerful force to be reckoned with.

Conclusions

Our current trajectory necessitates a paradigm shift from a narrow, hyper-anthropocentric perspective to an all-encompassing one. This more holistic approach draws inspiration from System Theory, the Gaia Hypothesis, and Buddhism's Ecodharma principles, particularly compassion, nonviolence, reverence for life, and wisdom. These perspectives underscore the fundamental principles of interdependence, interconnectedness, diversity, and organizational complexity, framing them as the linchpins of well-being for all life on Earth. This emergent perspective can fittingly be termed "Ecosociocentrism: The Earth First Paradigm." Ecosociocentrism asserts that certain qualities—like the inherent ability of life to self-organize, its diversity, resilience, interconnectedness, and coevolutionary Nature—are intrinsic to the planetary ecosystem and human social system. These characteristics, bearing inherent values, must be allowed to thrive both within the ecosphere and sociosphere.

Ecosociocentrism categorically views actions bolstering social and ecosystem health, resilience, and diversity as ethically sound and just. Conversely, actions compromising these attributes and values are deemed morally wrong and ethically indefensible. The nine principles underpinning this paradigm establish the foundation for the developmental and ethical imperatives of Ecosociocentrism. They offer a coherent framework for achieving environmental sustainability, championing sustainable development, ensuring equity for future generations, and fostering the sustainable living and well-being of all life forms. Ecosociocentrism provides a comprehensive framework for reimagining humanity's relationship with the natural world. By integrating these foundational principles and policy strategies into our socioeconomic systems, we can create a sustainable future that honors the intrinsic values of the ecosphere and nurtures the well-being of the sociosphere. This holistic approach ensures that human activities contribute positively to the resilience and health of both human and ecological systems, fostering a balanced coexistence with Nature.

It would be fallacious, as aptly described by Morowitz (1992), to entertain the notion that growth-driven neoliberal market capitalism will rescue humanity from the unfortunate entanglement it has created—a mere "Sisyphean Myth." Planet Earth is the sole abode for all living entities, including human beings. Only a healthy and nourishing Earth can ensure the security of humanity and sustainable living, which is possible only if the 'Earth First Paradigm' becomes the conscious working algorithm of humanity in the Anthropocene epoch of the 21st century. This is not merely a hopeful vision of the future; it is a logical and necessary path that we must embark upon if we wish to exist on this planet.