Professor, Earth & Environmental Sciences
   Washington State University
   Vancouver, WA 98686 (360) 546-9611
   tissot@vancouver.wsu.edu

 

   Marine biology, ecology of invertebrates & fishes, environmental policy, statistical design and analysis

 

 

Integral Ecology

 

"The significant problems we have cannot be solved at the
same level of thinking with which we created them" -- Einstein


The pattern that connects

Integral ecology is a contemporary field of ecology that emphasizes the existence of multiple valid perspectives, including both scientific and spiritual perspectives. The field grows out of the integral thought of Ken Wilber and subsequent development by Sean Esbjorn-Hargens, Michael Zimmerman and others. Integral ecology is one application of integral theory which provides a four-quadrant view of reality. One of the unifying themes of integral theory is AQAL (all quadrants, all levels).

      
Source: http://www.formlessmountain.com/

AQAL acknowledges the complex nature of each quadrant, including the complexity of the natural world, human systems, worldviews and individual perceptions of realty. Modern approaches at solving environmental problems through conflict resolution that attempt to get everyone on the "same page" often fail because individuals are reading different "books."  An AQAL approach incorporates the concept of spiral dynamics, a biopsychosocial systems concept developed by Clara Graves and developed by Don Beck.  The theory of spiral dynamics helps practitioners to articulate a shared vision and meaning among different streams of developmental worldviews, thus promoting increased effectiveness at facilitating a collaborative process.

 
Source: http://www.formlessmountain.com/

As a conservation ecologist, AQAL helps me to address conservation challenges from a broader perspective and:  1)  Understand the context of my work in a more holistic, transdisciplinary setting; 2) Discover connections between scientific information (right side quadrants) and its role in changing individual attitudes (UL) and cultural beliefs( LL); and 3) Devising effective conservation strategies that create synergy between all quadrants and all levels with a shared vision that moves the problem forward .  

The Challenge:
Creating mutual understanding of sustainability among our
diverse worldviews
(click to explore)

 

Integral Ecology Resources

Publications:

  • Esbjorn-Hargens, S. 2005. Integral Ecology: an ecology of perspectives. AQUAL Journal 1(1): 1-37. PDF
  • Tissot, B. N. 2005. Integral marine ecology: community-based fishery management in Hawaii. World Futures 61: 79-95. PDF
  • Tissot, B. N. 2008. Integral marine ecology: community-based fishery management in Hawaii. Chapter 13 In S. Hargens and M. Zimmerman. Uniting Multiple Perspectives in the Natural World. Shambhala Publications, Boston, MA. PDF
  • Esbjorn-Hargens, S. 2009. An overview of integral ecology: an all-inclusive framework for the 21st Century. Integral Institute—Resource Paper No. 1. 24 pp. PDF

Presentations:

  • Tissot, B. N. 2003. Integral Ecology: a new tool for fishery management. Presentation at the Western Society of Naturalists, Nov. 2003, Long Beach, CA PDF
  • Tissot, B. N. 2008. Establishing an MPA network in Oregon: an Integral Ecology approach. Presentation at the Western Society of Naturalists, Nov. 2008, Vancouver, BC, Canada PDF
  • Tissot, B. N. 2009. An Integral approach to climate change: local actions, global effects. Presentation at the the Center for Social and Environmental Justice Symposium, April 16, 2009, Vancouver, WA. PDF

Curriculum:

 

Videos

 

An Integral Ecology Approach to Sustainable Fisheries

 

For parts 2-5

Links