On Ecological Citizens And Their Cultivation

In order to solve global ecological problem and dilemma of modernization in China, many Chinese and foreign scholars have already paid attention to deeper problems in the ecological issue, such as human’s help during the formation of this problem and the lack of ecological awareness and moral decay. As a new topic in studies of environmental politics, environmental philosophy and environmental ethics in the end of20th century, the theory of ecological citizenship has got positive responses from policy makers and the public since its coming into being.Ecological citizenship is further development of the traditional theory of citizenship. Beyond the limit of some essential elements of citizenship, such as nation-state and public domain, ecological citizen enjoys global awareness and ecological morality, who actively exercises ecological rights and obligations. No matter in the private area of family life or in the public domain of democracy and politics, this kind of citizen will consciously take action under the guidance of ecological ideas, representing the new unity of rights and obligations, self-being and self-making, and politics and moral virtue. As a combination of environmental issue and theory of citizenship, the theory of ecological citizenship emphasizes on citizen’s subjective influence on environment protection. Moreover, this theory claims that a certain number of ecological citizens not only will be helpful for the ultimate solution of ecological problem, but also may change political situation and the indifference in participation due to citizens’keen attention to the topics concerning environment. It may wake up subjective awareness of citizens in the West and promote the process and perfection of democracy, politics and legislation.However, because of its foreign origin, the study of ecological citizenship is based on certain stage of social development which is typically westernized. Some of its notions, such as ecological democracy, green participation and environmental rights and obligations, transcend the progress of environmental protection and the public consensus in China in varying degrees. At present, during the beginning of construction of ecological civilization, the introduction of ecological citizenship is helpful for the solution of certain problems which cause environmental deterioration both in the West and the East. But an oversimplified transplant will ignore the political, economic, social and cultural status quo of China as well as the environment knowledge of the public, thus weakening the rationality and feasibility of the theory. Therefore, the spread and popularization of ecological citizenship theory in China needs a process of localization which pay attention to ecological values not only in nature but also in society, rights and obligations of citizens not only in ecological aspect but also in economy and politics, promotion and construction not only of theory but also of citizenship society, and standards not only at present but also during the process of future development. Besides, the localization should also realize the upgrading of theory on the basis of Chinese situation.After systematically summarizing the theory of ecological citizenship, this dissertation tries to study the relationship between ecological citizenship and the construction of ecological civilization and further analyze the practical value of ecological citizenship theory. Ecological citizenship and civilization share a common essence, but at the same time differ from each other, thus forming an interrelated unity. Their unification lies in their common nature, contents and demands; while their differences lie in the fact that ecological citizens are the main body of ecological civilization construction, which plays as the leading role of environmental governance by law through setting up ecological laws and standards; as the main body of ecological ethics through cultivating virtues accommodating to ecological civilization; as the main driving force of ecological practice through active involvement in the construction of ecological civilization. On the contrary, ecological civilization is the arena and condition of the generation of ecological citizenship, providing material and spiritual foundation as well as technological and institutional support, in order to endow new connotation to ecological citizenship.In practice, the cultivation of ecological citizenship is a complicated and arduous process which requires the endeavor both of individuals and public environment. That means the change from ordinary citizens to ecological ones is promoted both by personal awareness and public training. The cultivation of ecological citizenship includes the formation of ecological awareness, legal consciousness and ecological knowledge, the rights and obligations of ecological citizens-such as the rights to know, to participate and to supervise and the obligations of publicity, protection, dedication and self-regulation--as well as the citizenship morality of ecological society, profession and ethics. This dissertation analyzes the problems in ecological citizens’ cultivation and starting from the general framework and system of ecological citizenship education, transfers the contents of ecological citizenship cultivation to practical means and methods. On this basis, this dissertation further discusses Chinese pattern of ecological citizenship cultivation, i.e. the responsibility of the government, the participation of the public and the optimal allocation of market.