Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 11
In Service to Gaia
Why Does Nature Matter?
Many people who come to Schumacher College ask why it matters that we are destroying
so much of nature and possibly our own civilization as well. They ask: isn't what we
are doing totally natural, isn't it an inevitable consequence of our deeply flawed human
nature? Aren't we Gaia's way of bringing about a new mass extinction? Are we any dif-
ferent from any other global catastrophe like a meteorite impact or a flood basalt event?
Shouldn't we accept our fate as the nemesis of the current configuration of Gaia and enjoy
ourselves whilst there is time? What is the meaning of it all anyway?
These questions are disturbing because they point to a deep sense of disillusionment,
meaninglessness and inevitability that trouble the increasing numbers of people who are
waking up to the horror of what we are doing to the Earth. Answering 'yes' to all but the
last question (which requires more than a one-word answer) is deeply discouraging and
disempowering, and leads to a numbing apathy that helps no one.
The curious thing is that it is not possible to explore these questions from a purely
rational perspective, for a satisfying response requires us to connect with ways of know-
