Ecology: eco- from Greek oiko=house, and logos=study of
So, in ecology we are studying our "house" (i.e., this planet and the
universe in which we dwell), and with that knowledge we should be
properly managing the distribution/use of its resources. Economy and
ecology go hand in hand or maybe more accurately, they are just different
fingers on the same hand. Thus, it would take a very narrow-minded person
to try to view them as being at odds with each other.
Ecology is the study of how to maintain these interdependent
relationships, allowing the energy from the earth's only energy source
(the sun) to flow through all the necessary channels to keep the
various life cycles running smoothly, rather than screwing up one of
them for the seeming short-term benefit of another. The sun's energy
goes into plants which pass it on to animals and humans who eat the
plants (and sometimes the animals), all of which pass it back into the
earth and atmosphere when decaying. The sun's energy also fuels the
water cycles of the earth, evaporating water from the oceans surface
waters, allowing it to be transported over land and fall as rain to
water crops and refill the underground aquifers that provide drinking
water.
Economy: eco- from Greek oiko=house, and nemein=distribute/manage
Ecology
A human society involves a lot of interdependence among people to function
at all (e.g., person A makes clothing to sell to persons B and C. Person
B is a farmer and sells food to persons A and C. Person C is a carpenter
who builds houses and furniture for persons A and B.) But the
interdependence goes much further than just the humans. A continuous
regeneration of animals and plants is needed to provide the fiber for
person A to make clothing from, for the food production of the farmer,
and for the wood that is used by person C.
[Sustainability]
[Caring]
[Information]
[Action]
[Foresight]
[Democracy]
[Ecology]
12 May 1996, Last updated 12/10/2008