Ecological empathy

Ecological empathy, or eco-empathy, is empathy directed towards the natural world. It encompasses empathy directed towards animals,[1] plants, ecosystems, and the earth as a whole.[2]

Kim-Pong Tam developed a method of measuring individuals' dispositional empathy with nature (DEN), and has demonstrated its robust connection to conservation behavior.[3]

Numerous strategies can be implemented to cultivate ecological empathy—in both children and adults—including environmental education,[4] ecopedagogy,[5] arts,[6] literature,[7] film,[8] future scenarios,[9] ecological storytelling,[10] Indigenous approaches,[11] and parenting practices.[12]

Empathy for animals is a central component of eco-empathy,[13] and effective programs have been developed to promote empathy towards animals in the home,[14] in zoos[15] and aquariums,[16] on the farm,[17] and in the wild.[18]

  1. ^ Figueredo, Aurelio José; Steklis, Netzin Gerald; Peñaherrera-Aguirre, Mateo; Fernandes, Heitor Barcellos Ferreira; de, Tomás Cabeza; Salmon, Catherine; Chaves, María Gabriela Hernández; Araya, Siu Fong Acón; Pérez-Ramos, Marisol; Armenta, Martha Frías; Verdugo, Víctor Corral; Aragonés, Juan Ignacio; Sevillano, Verónica (2022-11-23). "The influence of individual differences and local ecological conditions on emotional empathy, cognitive empathy, and harm avoidance towards nonhuman animals". Human-Animal Interactions. doi:10.1079/hai.2022.0021. ISSN 2957-9538. S2CID 253863658.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wang-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Tam-2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Lotz-Sisitka-2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Misiaszek-2020 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sunassee-2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference McKnight-2010 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kong-2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference Blythe-2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Talgorn-2023 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ly-2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference Carson-1998 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ Cite error: The named reference Moran-2022 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference Jalongo-2013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ Cite error: The named reference Webber-2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference Wharton-2018 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Mathur, Maya B; Peacock, Jacob; Reichling, David; Nadler, Janice; Bain, Paul; Gardner, Christopher D; Robinson, Thomas (2021-04-21). "Interventions to reduce meat consumption by appealing to animal welfare: Meta-analysis and evidence-based recommendations". Appetite. 164. doi:10.31219/osf.io/bc2wy. PMC 9205607. PMID 33984401. Retrieved 2023-12-10.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Yue-2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).