Ecological crisis and sustainable development

Today, in the era of technological revolution, environmental issues and ecological crises are crucial for every society. Although sociology has not dealt with environmental issues and ecological crises in a long time, the intensive processes of industrialization, urbanization and modernization (not only within a specific discipline – social ecology, but in general) will direct sociology to start seriously contemplate environmental issues and ecological crises as a form of crisis that directly impacts Culture, Civilization and Life. In that context, social ecology and sociology on the whole point to the limitedness of mechanic paradigm as a way of thinking and a model of life, which have led to environmental issues and ecological crises.

That is why a holistic and not an anthropocentric ethics, as a new form of culture, is essential to question previously dominant economism not only in the process of production, but also in the system of thought and value systems. Since changes are an integral part of human history, changes to paradigms are needed. In other words, changes in the models and patterns of thinking, opinions, convictions and understandings are required, evidence of which can be found in history. Considering that scientific and technological advances greatly affect our life, it is understandable that those effects must lead to changes of our paradigms and as past changes have led to great problems, including ecological ones, it is clear that a change of paradigm leading to those problems is necessary as well. That is why we, here in our EPALE community, believe that it is important to indicate the significance of a different paradigm (holistic, bioethic and bio-ecological),which would secure a better quality of life and sustainable development of present and future generations.