The Ecological Perspective views human societies as integral parts of the natural environment, emphasizing the interconnectedness between human activities and ecological systems. It highlights that

The Ecological Perspective views human societies as integral parts of the natural environment, emphasizing the interconnectedness between human activities and ecological systems. It highlights that natural resources are finite and that ecosystems have limited capacities to absorb pollution and regenerate.

As a critique of economic models of development, the ecological perspective argues that traditional economic models often prioritize unlimited economic growth and resource exploitation without adequately accounting for environmental costs or the long-term sustainability of natural systems. These models tend to externalize environmental damage, treating natural resources as free inputs and pollution as a free output. This leads to resource depletion, biodiversity loss, and climate change, undermining the very foundation upon which economic activity depends. The ecological perspective advocates for sustainable development, where economic progress is balanced with environmental protection and social equity, recognizing the planet's ecological limits.