Are your memories of the boundaries surrounding this term fuzzy? The Djossye team explains all the concepts to you in greater depth. This will allow you to expand your knowledge, interpret environmental news, and raise awareness among those around you.
No need to look far when it comes to ecology. On February 10, 2022, L'Express magazine ran the headline: "Air pollution in Île-de-France: 7,900 deaths could be avoided annually". This headline illustrates one of the major environmental impacts affecting ecology. Understanding ecology first means mastering its definition, then being able to interpret all its mechanisms.
What is ecology? Definition
Ecology is the science that studies the relationships of living beings with their environment. The term comes from the Greek oikos ("house") and logos ("science, study"). Ecology therefore literally represents the study of habitat.
According to the National Center for Textual and Lexical Resources (CNRTL), ecology is:
"The science dealing with the relationships between living beings (humans, animals, plants) and the organic or inorganic environment in which they live."
The Petit Larousse compact (2002) defines it as the "science that studies the relationships of living beings with their environment". This discipline covers biodiversity, ecosystems, and expresses a triangular relationship between individuals of a species and the activity they exert on their environment.
Who invented the word ecology?
The term "ecology" appeared in 1866 under the pen of Ernst Haeckel, a German biologist and promoter of Darwinian evolutionary theory. Haeckel defined ecology as:
"The totality of the science of the relations of the organism to the environment, comprising in the broad sense all conditions of existence."
This definition remains valid today. The term is used to describe the study of natural habitats, ecosystems, and the organisms that inhabit them. The discipline gained increasing importance from 1930, before becoming a subject of collective concern in the late 1960s.
What is the difference between an ecologist and an ecologue?
These two terms are often confused, but they designate distinct realities:
- An ecologist is a supporter of environmentalism — a movement aiming at respecting natural balances and protecting the environment. They are colloquially called an "écolo" (French for environmentalist).
- An ecologue is a scientific specialist in ecology. This term dates from the 1980s. Ecologues wished to distinguish their research activity from that of citizen activists.
In summary: an ecologue is a scientist, an ecologist is an engaged citizen (or a political elected official).
When did the ecological era begin?
North American historian Donald Worster designated our era as the "ecological era". According to him, it began on July 16, 1945, during the first atomic tests by the armed forces of the United States in the New Mexico desert — the Manhattan Project.
The irreversible pollution of the atmosphere by nuclear fission products represented, for the first time, a real threat of ecological catastrophe on a planetary scale. Studies conducted after the disasters of Hiroshima and Nagasaki illustrated the long-term impacts of the bombs on human populations and ecosystems.
What is the difference between scientific ecology and political ecology?
| Scientific Ecology | Political Ecology | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Science of interactions between living beings and their environment | Awareness of our belonging to ecosystems and the will to preserve them |
| Origin | Late 19th century (Ernst Haeckel, 1866) | 19th century; organized political movement from 1960 |
| Actors | Ecologues, researchers, biologists, geologists | Citizens, associations, green parties, elected officials |
Scientific ecology benefits from advances in biology, genetics, and geology. Political ecology, on the other hand, is reflected in the awareness of our ecological footprint and the desire to improve our living conditions.
What are the main environmental impacts to monitor?
An environmental impact refers to all qualitative, quantitative, and functional changes to the environment. These impacts can be positive or negative.
Impacts on air (5 indicators)
- Contribution to the greenhouse effect
- Air acidification
- Tropospheric ozone formation (photochemical pollution)
- Ozone layer depletion
- Particles and respiratory effects of inorganic substances
Impacts on water (4 indicators)
- Freshwater eutrophication — accumulation of nutrients in an ecosystem
- Aquatic ecotoxicity — harmful effects of toxic substances on microorganisms, animals, and plants
- Marine eutrophication
- Water consumption
Impacts on soil and human health (4 indicators)
- Primary energy consumption — unprocessed energy products
- Depletion of non-renewable resources (fossil fuels, minerals, ores)
- Human toxicity
- Land occupation
Figure 1 — Diagram of main primary energies
Source: based on INSEE, Djossye design, 2022.
Even though we live and die like all living beings, human societies are distinguished by their capacity to disrupt the balance of established ecosystems. Each year, we pollute the air, water, and soil, and threaten thousands of plant and animal species. It is now essential to find the balance that allows our society to live sustainably within these ecosystems.
We all have a role to play. Every action counts.
Let's all act for the environment, each at our own level.
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