You make several vital points here, that, perhaps ironically, echo much of the sentiments I have felt while exploring the expansive field some call “Religion and the Environment”.
As an environmental science teacher, I have found that the most potent way to expand students conceptions of “the environment” is to animate it, having students recognize that they too are environments, yet they also co-create a larger environment. These distinctions transform this word from a stage into the whole living field that constitutes the Earth. While this word has so much cultural baggage, I don’t think we can simply delete it from our vocabulary. We must instead transform this concept into a larger consciousness of our embeddedness and coextensiveness within nature/the environment.
That's a beautiful way to put it -- that we too are environments. It's a good way to de-objectify it. It's not something that's "out there" somehow. Thank you.
This is helpful. I'm the Director of Development for the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and I'm always looking for ways to couch the importance of our work. (We build parks and gardens in low-income communities.) I don't mind going "meta" with a funder -- tho' now I’ll forever associate your deep ecological wisdom with a 90s club banger. (Bloodhound Gang! Really Ana? Lol.) https://youtu.be/xat1GVnl8-k?si=RaThYmo1T8UJktbr
That's awesome, David. I love that you can actually use this stuff. What a wonderful mission! And yes, I looked up that video before making the "nothing but mammals" reference and it's really quite something.
Thank you for the reminder that we are mammals and nothing is separate from the environment. But perhaps we do still need words, however limiting, to be able to do “environmental work” and be “climate activists.” While the aim is to do everything we can NOT to destroy this Goldilocks climate (not too hot, not too cold), perhaps something else will evolve, albeit non-human, in the “new environment” that might not be suitable to us. I will not go gently into that good night, but it is also somehow reassuring.
Also, Jan, thank you so much for spreading the word about this Substack. Several people have subscribed based on your recommendation. I'm grateful for your support and really glad that you're (apparently) enjoying it!
Totally agreed, Jan! The world is very lucky to have you as an environmentalist and climate activist with language to use for your work. I'm not suggesting that we get rid of words altogether. I happen to like words a lot. :-)
Hi Monica, I'm so glad that you did and really happy that you're finding it enjoyable/ useful/ supportive or something! Thank you for being along for the ride.
You make several vital points here, that, perhaps ironically, echo much of the sentiments I have felt while exploring the expansive field some call “Religion and the Environment”.
As an environmental science teacher, I have found that the most potent way to expand students conceptions of “the environment” is to animate it, having students recognize that they too are environments, yet they also co-create a larger environment. These distinctions transform this word from a stage into the whole living field that constitutes the Earth. While this word has so much cultural baggage, I don’t think we can simply delete it from our vocabulary. We must instead transform this concept into a larger consciousness of our embeddedness and coextensiveness within nature/the environment.
Thank you for sharing these insightful words!
That's a beautiful way to put it -- that we too are environments. It's a good way to de-objectify it. It's not something that's "out there" somehow. Thank you.
This is helpful. I'm the Director of Development for the Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust and I'm always looking for ways to couch the importance of our work. (We build parks and gardens in low-income communities.) I don't mind going "meta" with a funder -- tho' now I’ll forever associate your deep ecological wisdom with a 90s club banger. (Bloodhound Gang! Really Ana? Lol.) https://youtu.be/xat1GVnl8-k?si=RaThYmo1T8UJktbr
That's awesome, David. I love that you can actually use this stuff. What a wonderful mission! And yes, I looked up that video before making the "nothing but mammals" reference and it's really quite something.
Yes. That's all I can say.
Beautiful and agreed, I like using life support system lately
Thank you for the reminder that we are mammals and nothing is separate from the environment. But perhaps we do still need words, however limiting, to be able to do “environmental work” and be “climate activists.” While the aim is to do everything we can NOT to destroy this Goldilocks climate (not too hot, not too cold), perhaps something else will evolve, albeit non-human, in the “new environment” that might not be suitable to us. I will not go gently into that good night, but it is also somehow reassuring.
Also, Jan, thank you so much for spreading the word about this Substack. Several people have subscribed based on your recommendation. I'm grateful for your support and really glad that you're (apparently) enjoying it!
Totally agreed, Jan! The world is very lucky to have you as an environmentalist and climate activist with language to use for your work. I'm not suggesting that we get rid of words altogether. I happen to like words a lot. :-)
So grateful to have stumbled across your writing here on Substack.
Hi Monica, I'm so glad that you did and really happy that you're finding it enjoyable/ useful/ supportive or something! Thank you for being along for the ride.