(From "The Deep Ecological Movement" by Arne Næss)
 

1. The well-being and flourishing of human and non-human life
on Earth have value in themselves (synonyms: intrinsic value, inherent worth).
These values are independent of the usefulness of the non-human world
for human purposes.

2. Richness and diversity of life forms contribute to the realization of
these values and are also values in themselves.

3. Humans have no right to reduce this richness
and diversity except to satisfy vital needs.

4. The flourishing of human life and cultures is compatible
with a substantially smaller human population.
The flourishing of non-human life requires a smaller human population.

5. Present human interference with the non-human world
is excessive, and the situation is rapidly worsening.

6. Policies must therefore be changed. These policies affect
basic economic, technological, and ideological structures.
The resulting state of affairs will be deeply different from the present.

7. The ideological change will be mainly that of appreciating
life quality (dwelling in situations of inherent value)
rather than adhering to an increasingly higher standard of living.
There will be profound awareness of
the difference between bigness and greatness.

8. Those who subscribe to the foregoing points have an obligation,
directly or indirectly, to try to implement the necessary changes.
 

Read some of Næss' comments about these points.

For more information about Deep Ecology: