The power of nature to inspire wonder, awe and a spiritual connection to our surroundings has its own word, numinous. Our landscapes, the physical attributes of living creatures and the power to explore beyond our own planet are magical aspects of human experience.
How we interpret that spirituality is varied and personal. Those who see it as God’s work are a dwindling minority in Western Europe. Our interaction with the planet and the effects of climate change are beginning to persuade people to live differently.
The prospect of sea levels rising, polar ice caps melting and rainforests destroyed for profit is a dystopian vision of a world in crisis.
Urbanization may blinker workers who rarely experience their shrinking wilderness. Agriculture is becoming a mostly corporate endeavour with profits for shareholders the overriding goal. In a global free for all the environment suffers.
That a 14-year-old climate change activist is leading the push for more responsible government action to reduce global warming and halt the destruction of our planet is commendable, but also worrying. Her arguments are now so scientifically proven it beggars belief that there is not a consensus among world leaders to do more.
Do they really care so little for the planet and future generations that the GDP and profit mantra drowns out the clamour for action?
Those who are moved by the beauty of nature, should heed the clarion call for action to oust those who refuse to acknowledge the truth about climate change.
odespinner 