Perspectives of Ecofeminism

women and nature.
1 On the contrary, it seeks to get rid of such an essentialist condition which

has a tendency of showing up in mainstream discourse.2
Additionally, ecofeminism is not the worship of Mother Nature. It does not say or even imply
that women are naturally or inherently more in tune with nature. It does not posit that women
because of some inherent biological or spiritual ability are more nurturing towards nature
than men. Nor does it assert that women because of their innate womanly ability, should lead
ecological projects. While some may believe this, such a notion is not relevant to
ecofeminism as it further perpetuates patriarchally constructed gender roles. 3 Feminists have
even argued that such views are dangerous because the glorification of "'the feminine role is
unlikely to provide genuine grounding for anything other than the oppression of women”.4
PERSPECTIVES OF ECOFEMINISM
Leading ecofeminists have defined the ecofeminist perspective to be “structurally pluralistic,

inclusivist and contextualist, emphasizing through concrete example the crucial role context
plays in understanding sexist and naturist practice”.5 This is achieved by bringing to the front
of global discourse, perspectives of those marginalised groups who are most affected by the
dual oppression of nature and women.6
Although there are some fundamental beliefs shared by all ecofeminists, there exist three
different perspectives of ecofeminism that examine the interconnection between the
oppression faced by women and nature in different ways. The three perspectives according to
Carolyn Merchant, an ecofeminist and philosopher, are liberal, radical and socialist.7
LIBERAL ECOFEMINISM
According to the liberal perspective of ecofeminism, the root of the environmental issues we
face today is the rapid exploitation of natural resources, coupled with the underregulated use
of environmental pollutants like pesticides.8 Liberal ecofeminists believe that environmental
issues can be remedied by pushing for improving the infrastructure for science, conservation
and implementation of laws in society. Thus, their strategy to attempt to change human
1
Elizabeth Mayer, ‘The Power and Promise of Ecofeminism, Reconsidered’ (1994) ). Honors Projects. 4.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Donald VanDeVeer and Christine Pierce, The Enviromental Ethics and Policy Book; Philosophy, Ecology,
Economics (CA: Wadsworth Publishing Co, 1994)
5
Karen Warren, ‘Feminism and Ecology: Making Connections’ (1987) 9 Environmental Ethics 3
6
Manisha Rao, ‘Ecofeminism at the Crossroads in India’ (2012) 20 DEP – Deportate, Esuli, Profughe 124
7
ibid.
8
relations with nature is through the passage of new laws and provision of equal opportunities
to women so that they take up roles like lawyer, environment advocate and scientist. 9
However, the shortcoming of such a perspective is that it overlooks the primary cause of
environmental degradation i.e. the development process that exists in status quo. Merely
training women to be lawyers and environmental scientists will not solve the increasing
problem of environmental degradation if it is not combined with addressing structural and
systemic issues.10
RADICAL ECOFEMINISM
The radical perspective of ecofeminism analyses environmental problems through the lens of
patriarchy and offers solutions that seek to liberate both women and nature from the
domination of men.11 Radical ecofeminists contend that the dominant patriarchal society
equates nature and women, because of women’s ability to bear children, in order to degrade
both.12 They criticise the objectification of women and the hierarchical in nature masculine
ideals. They argue that no meaningful change can happen within the existing system and seek
to completely overhaul the existing structures within the society.
SOCIALIST ECOFEMINISM
Finally, the socialist perspective of ecofeminism look upon nature and human nature as
“socially constructed, rooted in an analysis of race, class and gender” 13 They argue that nature
is an active subject, not a passive object to be dominated and humans must develop
sustainable relations with it.14 Going beyond the radicals, this ecofeminism puts forward a
critique of capitalist patriarchy, focusing on the dialectical relationships between “production
and reproduction, and between production and ecology”. 15 They contend that the source of
domination of women and nature is the capitalist patriarchy whose single-minded goal of
profit maximisation would leave no survivors. Socialist ecofeminists seek to use structural
analysis to reveal the harms caused by capitalism and deconstruct dominant that have been
created to oppress both humans and nature.
9
ibid.
10
ibid.
11
ibid.
12
Kathryn Miles, ‘ecofeminism’, Britannica <https://www.britannica.com/topic/ecofeminism> accessed 13
March 2022
13
Merchant C., Radical Ecology: The Search for a Livable World. Revolutionary Thought/ Radical Movements,
Routledge, New York 1992.
14
Carolyn Merchant, Earthcare: Women and the Environment (Routledge 1995)
15

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women and nature.

1 On the contrary, it seeks to get rid of such an essentialist condition which

Leading ecofeminists have defined the ecofeminist perspective to be “structurally pluralistic,

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