Deep ecology, Ecofeminism, and the Gaia hypothesis are some of the ecological theories and models developed and authored by ecologists and are crucial in ecology studies. Ecology is a branch of biology that deals with the study of interactions and relations within and between organisms, humans, and their physical environment. Interactions and relationships among organisms and the physical environment affect the system, which can be negative, neutral, or positive. Several factors influence the ecological state and sustainability. The article will compare and contrast the role given to man and non-living components of the inhabited environment. The article will be limited to some profound roles since it is entirely based on Gaia, Deep ecology, and Ecofeminism theories (Ruder & Sanniti, 2019). To follow the content, it is crucial to understand the core principles underlying each of the three theories. It is essential to note core principles apart from establishing the base; the discussion also forms the first point of contrast between the three theories. “Deep ecology theory” refers to a postulate that was developed by an ecology movement. The original title of the theory was "'' The Shallow and the Deep, Long-Range Ecology Movement." The term 'deep ecology' was championed by Arne Naess in 1973. The core principle of 'deep ecology' is intensive research on all possible factors, as advocated by Socrates. The theory discourages ecologists from researching while mentally oriented to a pre-defined factor/s. the theory encourages being open-minded, and this can enhance researchers' ability to discover crucial underlying issues that could have been missed due to a biased approach (Smith & Gough, 2015). James Lovelock, a scientist who worked at NASA in the 1960s, developed a hypothesis that later came to be popularized and authored as Gaia Hypothesis in the 1970s and through a book 'A new look at life on Earth' published in 1979. The name Gaia refers to the Greek goddess, and therefore Lovelock named his claim after the goddess. Gaia's hypothesis stated the living, and physical component is well integrated, forming a complete unit that is self-sustaining and regulating. Sustainability and regulation were explained and supported by natural processes that synthesize elements and compounds that support life. Studies have shown that the undisturbed environment can produce and support life if left without human interference. Research findings on how the biosphere and physical environment contribute to the matter cycle led to the acceptance of Lovelock's claims as a theory (Environment and Ecology,2020). Ecofeminism is a theory based on the concept of ‘gender discrimination’ championed by Francoise D’Eauborne in 2014 during the publication of the formulated principles of ‘ Le Feminisme ou la mort.' The principles had been formulated and progressively developed from 1974. The theory applies gender-based discrimination to women and injustice against those who cannot protect themselves from explaining ecological and environmental problems. Those with ability and power should support and protect the weak and needy (Ruder & Sanniti, 2019). The need for global collaboration on environmental and ecological issues has been discovered through well-researched data based on principles explained by ecological theories and models. The issue of global warming, greenhouse gas management programs, and climate are some of the global challenges and problems that can illustrate how ecological problems have no respect for socio-economic or political boundaries. Despite many possible causes and theories defining and defending various principles and concept activities of man have been identified as the primary cause of ecological problems (Ruder & Sanniti, 2019). The role of man and physical matter in the three theories based on core principles can be summarized as shown in the table below
| Factor | Deep Ecology Theory | Ecofeminism Theory | Gaia Theory |
| Role man | Man is not the only cause of ecological problems. All factors should be evaluated given equal weight | Man's ignorance, bias, and self-designed injustice and discrimination contribute to environmental problems. Man engages in actions that alter harm and destroy him. | Man is just a part of the biosphere, and the role they play is equilibrium to what natural laws expect them to do. A man should not be blamed for problems that arise from their actions. |
| Role of Physical Matter | Support life, recycled, and need to be used sustainably | The core source of life and destruction led to the death | Production and consumption always demand at equilibrium. |
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Criticism of the theories are mainly based on the following factors:
| Deep Ecology Theory | Ecofeminism Theory | Gaia Theory |
| Exonerating man as the primary cause of the ecological problem. the man directly or indirectly cause environmental problems | Gender bias and insensitive | Inability to test all chemicals and compounds |
References
Environment and Ecology. (2020). Gaia Hypothesis. Retrieved from: http://environment- ecology.com/gaia/70-gaia-hypothesis.html
Ruder, S, & Sanniti, S. R. (2019). Transcending the Learned Ignorance of Predatory Ontologies: A Research Agenda for an Ecofeminist-Informed Ecological Economics. Retrieved from: ` https://res.mdpi.com/d_attachment/sustainability/sustainability-11- 01479/article_deploy/sustainability-11-01479.pdf
Smith, W. & Gough, A. (2015). Deep Ecology as a framework for student eco-philosophical thinking. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277851507_Smith_W_Gough_A_2015_Deep _Ecology_as_a_framework_for_student_eco-
