For people raised in the Western-style "squeeze Nature for all she's got" mentality, giving her due respect comes with great difficulty. And yet, this is what we were born for. Humans were not made to dominate the earth and its resources, other species, or other humans for that matter. The only control we can have is over our own personal lives. Which is another way of saying "taking responsibility".
An attitude of responsibility first and foremost respects Nature and the limits and opportunities she has given us. This means living in harmony with Nature. Sounds like a cliché, yes, and it's easier said than done.
At the most basic level, we need to make Nature and her ways our first priority. This involves studying Nature, spending time in Nature, doing all we can to help and not harm Nature. This is a lifetime venture and not for the faint-hearted.
No, those who truly revere Nature will find that they are at odds with society and lifestyles of everyone around us. This is because Westernised industrial civilisation from its very foundation is anti-Nature. Her only value is in her usage, in how she supports the ongoing development of urbanised society.
Those who hold to the "Deep Dark Green" philosophy seek not to use, but to be used by Nature. We are people who, one the one hand, are living against the grain of industrial society. On the other hand, we do all we can to ensure our communities, families, and personal lives are applying Natural principles in daily life. This involves a lot of re-learning, but in the end, all it takes is one simple adjustment: to adopt a full-fledged pro-Nature mentality.
An attitude of responsibility first and foremost respects Nature and the limits and opportunities she has given us. This means living in harmony with Nature. Sounds like a cliché, yes, and it's easier said than done.
At the most basic level, we need to make Nature and her ways our first priority. This involves studying Nature, spending time in Nature, doing all we can to help and not harm Nature. This is a lifetime venture and not for the faint-hearted.
No, those who truly revere Nature will find that they are at odds with society and lifestyles of everyone around us. This is because Westernised industrial civilisation from its very foundation is anti-Nature. Her only value is in her usage, in how she supports the ongoing development of urbanised society.
Those who hold to the "Deep Dark Green" philosophy seek not to use, but to be used by Nature. We are people who, one the one hand, are living against the grain of industrial society. On the other hand, we do all we can to ensure our communities, families, and personal lives are applying Natural principles in daily life. This involves a lot of re-learning, but in the end, all it takes is one simple adjustment: to adopt a full-fledged pro-Nature mentality.