“Animism and Ecology: Participating in the World Community”

Ecological disaster requires urgent thinking and other actions in adjusting human engagement with the larger-than-human community. Animism has been proposed as one form of relationship that might be productive. This article outlines distinct uses of the term ‘animism’ in order to point to the ‘new animism’ as a label for ways of relating respectfully with other species. It then considers the relations of these forms of animism with conservation and other ecological approaches. It supports a de-centring of humanity but encourages care about putting anything else in the center.