New environmental paradigm

The New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) is a theoretical framework in environmental sociology that suggests that people's attitudes and behaviors towards the environment are shaped by their underlying values and beliefs about the natural world. The NEP was first proposed by Riley E. Dunlap and Kent D. Van Liere in 1978.

According to the NEP, there are two main types of environmental paradigms:

  1. The Traditional Environmental Paradigm (TEP): This paradigm views the natural world as a resource to be exploited for human benefit. It assumes that humans are separate from and superior to nature, and that the environment is a means to an end, rather than an end in itself.
  2. The New Environmental Paradigm (NEP): This paradigm views the natural world as a complex web of relationships between humans and the environment. It recognizes that humans are part of the natural world and that our actions have consequences for the environment. The NEP emphasizes the importance of preserving the natural world for its own sake, rather than just for human benefit.

The NEP is based on several key assumptions:

  1. The environment is a complex system that is interconnected and interdependent.
  2. Humans are part of the natural world and are not separate from it.
  3. The natural world has inherent value and is not just a means to an end.
  4. Human actions have consequences for the environment and can have long-term effects.
  5. The environment is not just a resource to be exploited, but also a source of inspiration, recreation, and spiritual fulfillment.

The NEP has been influential in shaping environmental policy and behavior, and has been used to explain why some people are more likely to engage in environmentally friendly behaviors than others. It has also been used to develop new approaches to environmental education and communication.

Some of the key implications of the NEP include:

  1. The need to adopt a more holistic and integrated approach to environmental management.
  2. The importance of recognizing the intrinsic value of the natural world.
  3. The need to involve people in environmental decision-making and to empower them to take action.
  4. The importance of promoting sustainable lifestyles and behaviors.
  5. The need to address the social and economic inequalities that contribute to environmental degradation.

Overall, the New Environmental Paradigm offers a new way of thinking about the relationship between humans and the environment, and has important implications for environmental policy and behavior.