Attacking caveman cultists is not a dismissal of environmentalism.
There is an enormous distinction between pure waste or negligence such as what we see here, and genuine activity that benefits people.
If I were leaving my windows open with the AC/heating on full blast, or burning plastic in my garden - sure, that's not cool.
But going after genuine things with utility (eating meat, driving, having children, etc) is the quickest way to get me to completely ignore what you're saying.
These changes don't make the world better. They would make my life significantly worse, whilst potentially very slightly improving the lives of people who are ascetic.
Well there are environmentalists that practice a modern-day puritanism in that they deny themselves (and would deny others) comforts that they deem ostentatious because they feel that 'doing without' makes them stronger in some way. These people are generally not too helpful for the movement.
I personally am much more motivated by the idea of doing something more efficiently and with less (or zero) waste than I am by the notion of self-sacrifice. I think we should 'protect the environment' only because I find the less wasteful path more aesthetically appealing, and I have faith that man can be more efficient and less wasteful through his own ingenuity, without resorting to self-flagellation.
Sometimes I think people who blindly continue their enviro-rituals are somehow worshipping — it’s more about what it costs them than how much it actually moves the needle.
Caring for the environment is not a religion, and the earth is not a god who demands sacrifice. But it is a precious resource worth protecting.
It sounded good at first, but "Environmentalism as a Religion"?? Personally, I care about the environment because I LIKE nature, not because I feel it is some god-given mission to be steward of the earth.
Also, nature is a common good, so if I care about someone else destroying it, it might be less about wanting to spoil his fun, and more about me not wanting him to effectively steal something from me.
I just won't wear that label, sure I care about having a clean environment, nice land yadda yadda but I wont describe myself as an environmentalist for reasons that others have pointed out in this thread.
Environmentalism is one belief which could power future communities.
It is something we can all agree is important, something families can get plenty of enjoyment out of, something we can get together on a Sunday morning to work towards, provides a place for music, discussion, a good place for group holiday getaways, a unanimously good cause which is becoming more and more important as world population increases and the environment comes under more and more threat.
It doesn't require any faith or belief in made up deities. It doesn't make false promises of a wonderful afterlife but instead focuses on preservation of the earth for your own ancestors - something which could be considered a more motivating goal than eternal afterlife.
It's not a zero-sum game. By all means raise attention to the environmental issues but being against this does not mean there's no attention being paid to other issues.
The comment celebrates this feat, but only in the context of an ‘apology’ for humanities environmental sins, which are described in a way that is essentially unforgivable. Reminds me of a Catholic nun who is constantly reminded of sin, or Greta Thunberg who’s only comments seem to be “be did bad, we need do more good” without actually suggesting better courses of action. Religion without a church.
Environmentalism is a religion, no doubt about it. The full extent of my involvement and support is in raising taxes for things we want industry to produce and consume less of, period. Price signals in the economy will do the rest of the work. Piety not necessary.
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