Nature

Green is intimately associated with nature. The very colour green itself portrays nature in its pristine state. Green is a colour rich with nuance. It is the primary hue of land and the seas. The luscious beautiful green colour has traditional remedial applications. These include allaying stressed, cluttered and tired minds. It has the portent mystical power to manifest and bring about calmness and beauty. To put this ancient philosophy into the world of modern-day practices, Ecotheraphy is now in vogue.

Plants

The reflected green colouration perceived by humans is that of vegetation, which covers a significant part of the Earth’s land mass. Plants are essential to the survival and livelihood of the ecosystems and the organisms that call them home; as plants sit at the very strategic base or the foundation of the food chain or pyramid, provide nutrients and give shelter.

Photosynthesis

Plants’ ability to provide food efficiently is due to photosynthesis; a process of capturing energy from the sun and transforming it into food for all living organisms on this Earth to harness. Without this strategic capture, the abundant solar energy available would not be beneficially utilized, especially for the purpose of maintaining the continuity of life on earth. Plants, algae and photosynthetic bacteria convert carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form glucose. Glucose, a sugar that is also the simplest form of food, allows life at higher trophic levels in all ecosystems to survive and thrive. Additionally, oxygen is also produced to support the dynamicity of aerobic organisms.

These interactions exemplify the interconnectedness and interdependency among the inhabitants of the planet earth.

Regenerative power

As living organisms, plants have the ability to regenerate itself. At the individual level, this process of ‘self-healing’ is something inherent and natural. This phenomenon can be seen at the tissue level and the community level. One example that we are familiar is that plant communities can revive even at the aftermath of massive destruction. It can bring to life land masses, laid bare due to the changing climatic cycle. On lands, plagued by drought, the very presence of water sources invigorates seeds, that have been lying dormant to germinate and bring forth new life.

Coopetition

In the natural ecosystem we observe the phenomenon of competition for survival. Both intra and inter-species competitions are a feature in the Darwinian natural selection; it is an environmental pressure to select out the best fit (adaptation) for the survival of organisms. This is the dominant view especially in explaining the process of biological evolution.

However, biological life is not dominated by competition per se. On the contrary, there are also many examples of cooperation or collaboration. Symbiosis is the term that describes forms of these cooperative relations. Different organisms live in close associations with one another, even inside one another (e.g. bacteria in our intestines, microbiomes). In symbiogenesis, there are even benefits of intimate sharing, i.e. increasing the gene pool, through the continuous mutual support of two different species living together as host and parasite.

Similarly, there is also the existence of what is termed as cooperative competition: coopetition. In this case, we can observe two organisms collaborating together to successfully adapt to the pressures of the environment. Coopetition also serves to bring about the maturing and stability of the ecosystem. This collaborative feature seen among the participants of the ecosystem is beneficial both at micro and at the macro levels.

Diversity

Diversity is another feature that is overwhelming in nature. There are thousands of species and sub-species. At the genetic level. one can observe great diversity. It is a fact of life. However, this diversity is not chaotic or destructive in nature. Rather, it is another positive feature, especially when diversity is constructively moving in the direction of unity; unity in diversity. Diversity also brings stability in an ecosystem. We can see how the loss of biodiversity is becoming a threat to the continual survival of humans and other inhabitants of earth. Thus, diversity is looked upon as a natural asset.

Balance

Green also captures the balance in nature. We observe this salient feature in nature: maintaining its dynamic stability and resilience within limits. This we can observe at the microscopic level. Cells have inherent capacity to work towards homeostasis and its survival when its internal processes are disturbed. This also happens at the macro level such as in a local ecosystem, and even extending to the large scale of the global or planetary ecosystem. These can work their way to a homeostasis.

Ecosystem

Green at its macro level is captured in the totality of the ecosystem. All the participants, actions and the web of relationships are richly enmeshed in a dynamic and stable ecosystem. A stable biosphere would allow all of us to live well.

Anthropocentrism

What is anthropocentrism? It is a worldview anchored on the concept of human beings as the centre, thus having the rightful authority in determining the value of others. In an anthropocentric worldview, humans occupy the highest order in the hierarchy of beings and things. All others which fall below us are enclaved by a value system determined by a set of values established by humans. A pertinent example in a human-centric value system, which is also the dominant materialistic economic view, is how we value diamonds. It is regarded as being more precious or valuable than water. It fetches an enormous price value in the market compared to water, even mineral water! Yet, in terms of real survival value humans can live without diamonds, but certainly not without water!

It is Based on an Eco-centric Worldview

Thus, there is a need to move away from the hegemony of anthropocentrism. Our Green Philosophy adopts a more balanced value system based on an eco-centric worldview. In this worldview, intrinsic value, i.e. recognizing the inherent value of each species, comes to the fore. Each species has a natural value by the mere fact of its existence. As such, we as human beings need to discover this intrinsic value from nature and the ecosystem.

It is One that is Interconnected but, yet Dynamically Independent

This eco-centric perspective, based on an ecological worldview, changes the position of humans within an ecosystem. We are left humbled and acknowledge that we are just a part of the ecosystem, not as separate beings. And most certainly not the domineering actors who conquer and find glory in taming the virgin natural ecosystem. We move from being ego-centric to being responsible partners and stewards. It follows that we should be aware of establishing a new relationship, based on an understanding of a reality of interconnectedness and dynamic interdependency. This new realization leads towards mutual respect and the creation of harmony, i.e. harmonization among participants, their actions and relationships in an ecosystem.

Further, there is the recognition of the extant rich diversity which naturally is moving towards none other than manifesting unity in purpose – the well-being of the ecosystem (biosphere). This complex and intricate web of relationships serve to catalyse the habitants within the ecosystem to function and collaborate in unison. This is how we comprehend sustainability under our Green Concept and Philosophy; sustaining all in its myriad forms, nuances and relationships to bring forth long-term sustainable benefits and well-being for all.

Biophysically and Virtually Connected as One

As to the concept of ecosystem, it can range from a miniature, for example the human body or an organization, to the gigantic biosphere or even the larger universe. Further, the ecosystem also encompasses the natural (the biophysical reality) as well as the new dimension which encompasses human, bio-physical and technological interactions, an artificial reality known as the infosphere. Within the reality of the infosphere, i.e. created based on information, humans (known as inforgs – information carrying organisms) would be interacting with other information entities. More so, the pace of development of the infosphere is increasing rapidly. Its presence and impact are encroaching deeper into the biosphere, thereby changing and affecting humanity and other living organisms.