ABSTRACT

This paper explores the idea of J.B. Callicott presenting ecological citizenship principles, their roots, and connection with environmental ethics. Callicott’s vision of ecological citizenship is also more intricate in that it understands this construct beyond human rights, including obligations toward ecosystems and other beings. This paper focuses on ethical guardianship, intergenerational equity, and the compatible use of culture and its elements to maintain ecological balance, demonstrating how ecological citizenship can promote a better, more responsible relationship with nature. Specifically, textual analysis of Callicott’s writings and other literature related to ecological ethics was used. With this approach, it was possible to delve deeply into the interpretation of the founding axioms of ecological citizenship and their further realization in practice. In addition, examples of case studies of cultural practices and environmental policies were used to demonstrate the conflict between the historically constructed worldviews and the new ecological ones. Thus, these methods helped show how ecological citizenship might shape environmental governance and cultural practices. Such findings make space for a new eco-citizenship persistence for Callicott, which aims to achieve socio-ecological transformation and cultural multiplicity. With the novel combination of a philosophical approach and practical illustrations, this study calls for a new type of eco citizenship that embraces pluralism and sustainable ethics.