Traditional Ways | Technoprogress
Earth Spirit | Ecoscience
Overview
The new pilot EcoTypes survey results in four main EcoTypes, with two subtypes for each. These EcoTypes are defined by their approach to the three EcoTypes themes of Place, Knowledge, and Action. But these definitions may sound abstract to you—say, what does it mean, as introduced here, that Traditional Ways (S) involves human Place, old Knowledge, and small Action?
Below* are personae—idealized people, typical of college students in the U.S.—representing each of the four EcoTypes and two subtypes. You will see that there is considerable difference in the ways people might care about issues of environment, both between and within each of the four main EcoTypes!
Our differing EcoTypes can be a source of creative solutions. How might people who embody the personae below work together, while honoring their differences? Consider the differences between complementary (opposite) EcoTypes below, or between the (S) and (B) subtypes of each EcoType, as you explore answers to this important question.
A caveat: of course, the personae below are only that, involving very brief, generalized descriptions of possible EcoTypes. You may, or may not, resonate with one or more of them. They also do not express these differing EcoTypes among other ages and cultures. This might be a project for you!: how would you construct personae that better represent EcoTypes differences among people like you?
Traditional Ways
Here is an overview of Traditional Ways, an EcoType favoring human Place and old Knowledge, and here is an overview of small/big Action subtypes. Its complementary EcoType is Ecoscience.
Mustafa (Traditional Ways (S)): Mustafa is an international student from Turkey studying economics and planning on a career in agricultural business. His family is devout Muslim, and his faith is an important part of his life, guiding him to serve humanity.
Isabella (Traditional Ways (B)): Isabella grew up with Western science and technology, but honors Indigenous peoples and wisdom as a superior way of life. She advocates structural change to halt continued colonization of these people and their land.
Technoprogress
Here is an overview of Technoprogress, an EcoType favoring human Place and new Knowledge, and here is an overview of small/big Action subtypes. Its complementary EcoType is Earth Spirit.
Kabir (Technoprogress (S)): Kabir is studying engineering, and hopes to help develop cost-efficient solar panels for rural people who live without electricity. He is optimistic his work can incrementally contribute toward better lives for these people.
Claire (Technoprogress (B)): Claire envisions future societies that enjoy a higher quality of life with less pollution via advanced technologies. She supports government-funded research and development, and related policies, to achieve this transformation.
Earth Spirit
Here is an overview of Earth Spirit, an EcoType favoring nonhuman Place and old Knowledge, and here is an overview of small/big Action subtypes. Its complementary EcoType is Technoprogress.
Sage (Earth Spirit (S)): Sage grew up in the city, but she loves to wander in the forest as her way of Earthing: connecting with the spiritual force. She makes careful lifestyle choices, only buying products that are labeled sustainable or natural.
Morgan (Earth Spirit (B)): Morgan identifies as nonbinary, and cultivates ecospirituality as an important part of their life. They are a committed environmental activist, joining up with friends to protest greedy corporations that ruin nature.
Ecoscience
Here is an overview of EcoScience, an EcoType favoring nonhuman Place and new Knowledge, and here is an overview of small/big Action subtypes. Its complementary EcoType is Traditional Ways.
Latisha (Ecoscience (S)): Latisha has always thrived as a person of color in science, and grew up spending frequent times with her family outdoors, so her envisioned environmental contribution involves field research in ecology toward habitat protection.
Nathan (Ecoscience (B)): Nathan has an interest in international environmental policy, especially related to global trade in animal products. He looks forward to a career in law, where he can help promote technologies and policies that prevent animal exploitation.
*All images courtesy Flaticon