What is environemntal sprituality?

[[deleted user]]

Is spirituality a necessary part of environmental awareness and activism?

Is spirituality antithetical to scientific environmentalism?

Is Taoism environmental spirituality?

Michael A. Lewis, environmentalist and anthropologist, always interested in the relationship among people and the land

[Matt]

Great questions, Michael. Huge ones! But I really like the way you express them. The "part of", for me is crucial in the first question. It's clear to me that you can with perfect integrity, and thoughtful awareness, reject spirituality. So the "part of" to me allows for those who don't share a spiritual perspective, but overall means that environmental awareness and activism are seriously weakened - perhaps fatally so - without the strong influence of those of us who do find reality to be imbued with deeper significance.
To the second question I'd say no, they're not antithetical in nature, but the prevailing materialist dogma which seems to act as an ego prop for educated people in our culture (perhaps more so this side of the pond?) causes a tension between the two camps. It's also worth adding that there are plenty of experiences and perceptions which materialists don't think of as spiritual that I might call spiritual, such as an awe of the sheer complexity, intricacy and vastness of the natural world. As for Taoism, it's a diverse religion! I love Thomas Merton's translation of The Way of Chuang Tzu, which highlights deeply ecological aspects of the tradition.

[Matt]

A little flag has appeared asking me to introduce myself - so, I live in the UK and I'm a climate educator, writer, schoolteacher and dad. I'm especially interested in spirituality as a key to the cultural transformation we need to survive and thrive beyond the ecological crises we are creating. Through my activism I met prominent Scottish land reformer and human ecologist Alastair McIntosh and recently jointly authored Spiritual Activism with him, out on Green Books.

[James]

I always thought the Bible Quote Romans 1:17-21 had some value
As a spiritual insight. What are your thoughts?
James Kraus