Intro to Deep Ecology

My teaching group is assigned to study and teach "deep ecology." This is an area that I have no prior knowledge in and only a brief background on. I feel as if my peers will be in a similar situation when teaching this topic.
The following is what I have gathered from my readings and research so far:

• Deep ecology is an ethical view in which there is respect for living and non-living things alike, regardless of their uses. 
• That humans and nature are alike and interconnected
• There is an intrinsic value to be placed on nature or non-human goods. Meaning, there is no value put on the good that is provided from the object. 
• "keep asking more questions about human life, society, and nature"
• "basic intuitions and experiencing of ourselves and nature. "

The actual definition of Deep Ecology is one that is hard to derive. It is complicated with 'why' and 'how' and by its value. I feel that this is a subject that is challenged by our society and culture every day. As humans we are used to using our resources and taking advantage of our natural surroundings. For many, the question of our impacts on the environment is not considered to be important or an issue worth putting thought and energy into. Instead, humans are concerned about self fulfillment and excellence.

These basic principles of our society in which we live in will pose to be one of the most difficult aspects of teaching deep ecology. In order to understand what deep ecology is, we will have to show our peers how to open up to new ideas, ethics, and relationships between human and nature. There will people who argue that there is a value that can be placed on our environment and what it provides. However, we must question these people on these matters and how they use the environment.

This is a topic that is going to be difficult to teach to our peers because it is very forward. It is also hard to fully define and apply to all aspects of life. Therefore, my teaching group and I must come up with a unique way to present this and educate them on its principles. I think that having a full discussion and engaging the class is going to be key to gaining a better understanding on the topic.