THE HUMAN / ECOLOGICAL
SUCCESSION INDEX:
A scale for assessing manmade things and their relationship to the natural world. Projects are assigned a rating according to their adherence to the long term goal of complete ecological succession (symbiosis) and the abolition of the “man versus wild” dichotomy.
PHASE 0: ECOCIDAL
BASELINE
Phase 0 is characterized by the current state of human society and its separation from nature. Other qualifiers include active participation in systems promoting the following: rampant resource extraction, exploitation of human labor, violations of human and non-human rights, and degradation of all life/ culture on an industrial, global scale.
Key words
Unregulated extraction, pollution, destruction, domination, mass production, consumerism
Examples
Fossil fuel industry, fast fashion, deforestation, industrial agriculture, factory farming, sweatshops, slash and burn farming, mining, landfills, Pacific garbage patch, single use plastic
OVERVIEW OF THE PHASES
PHASE 1 - BIOPHILIC
ONSET OF ECOLOGICAL AWARENESS
Phase 1 is characterized by an awareness of humanity’s anti-ecological society. Nonetheless, Phase 1 projects still contribute to one or more of the systems that uphold the anti-ecological practices outlined in Phase 0. Phase 1 qualifiers are often issues of scale and extraction. However, they may be susceptible to green-washing.
Key Words
Sustainable, green washing, green capitalism, compostable, sustainable development
Examples
Recycled materials, blended fibers, Electric vehicles, Carbon capture, monoculture forestry, paper straws,
PHASE 2 - BIOGENIC:
ONSET OF SUCCESSION
Phase 2 is characterized by a willful separation from industrial modes of creation and information dissemination. Phase 2 project embrace care and collaboration between humans and other lifeforms. A this phase, practices are often slow, small scale, and locally-specific. Practical criteria for Phase 2 works include co-creation with other lifeforms, biogenic materials, and locally available resources. Phase 2 works may still predominantly serve human needs, but at little to no loss to the organisms involved
Key Words
Bio-regional, interspecies collaboration, care
Examples
Bioremediation, living root bridges, multi-species design
PHASE 3 - ECOGENIC
AGE OF SYMBIOGENESIS
Phase 3 is the Utopia for which we strive. Any remaining boundaries between humanity and nature have been dissolved, allowing humanity to resume its role as one party of the larger ecosystem. We co-exist, fruitfully with all other living things in synergy. All forms of knowledge, culture, and wisdom are shared and evolved for the cultivation of new technologies, relationships, and beauty. All things created are created between organisms with mutual care and understanding for each other and the ecosystem.
Pillars of Ecogenesis
Restorative, Accessible, interdisciplinary, Mutualism, Decentralized, Diverse