Election promise of Jean-Marie RAUSCH, mayor of the city of Metz from 1971 to 2008, the European Institute of Ecology was founded in 1971 by 4 founding members: Jean Marie Pelt: biologist, Jean-Michel JOUANY : toxicologist, Roger KLAINE : philosopher et Marcel ROBIN : sociologist.
From the start, the institute stands out with its ambition to associate women and men from different origins through its actions and researches.
Jean Marie Pelt and Roger Klaine developed the concept of urban ecology initiated by the Chicago school during the inter war period and acting as deputy mayor of the city of Metz, decided to apply it to the urban plan of the city.
The collaboration between Jean-Michel JOUANY and Jean-Marie PELT permitted the emergence of two new sciences:
- Eco-toxicology: The study of pollutions and its consequences.
- Ethno pharmacology: Comparison studies between medicinal plants and non-western cultures.