Wieso ist ökologisches Handeln mehr als eine Anwendung ökologischen Wissens?Überlegungen zur Umsetzung ökologischen Wissens in ökologisches Handeln

Abstract

Although it seems obvious that human actions have ecological and social attributes, it is less apparent that both of them must be taken into account to promote ecological behavior. This article is based on the idea that human behavior follows certain intentions. Three types of ecological behavior are described. Moreover it is argued that promoting ecological behavior not only assumes an understanding of ecology, but also has a normative aspect and indeed presupposes knowledge of human behavior. This knowledge is necessary because the social context and the consequences of the behavior, both for the individual and the society, have to be taken into account. Existing strategies of promoting ecological behavior are examined in the light of the above considerations. Finally, relevant criteria are proposed for transforming ecological knowledge into ecological behavior.