In the Western
world, we seek the answers to life with our rational minds,
using science and technology to gather information
and to adapt the environment so that it suits us.
The other creatures of the world are at one with nature.
Instead of seeking to adapt the universe to suit them,
they live in harmony with their surroundings.
(John
Lash)
Ethical living
'Eco' is an abbreviation of the word 'ecology'. Ecology is the scientific study of
relationships in nature.
In the 20th Century a growing interest in conservation emerged as people
began to realise that
extinct animals and destroyed rainforests were gone
forever.
Tai chi may seem to have little to do with conservation until you
consider
taoism.
Living in harmony with the world around us means being considerate, careful
and moving towards a role of planetary custodian rather than
exploiter.
Indifferent
Humanity is
unlike
other creatures.
Rather than simply take what we need, humans take more.
There is a widespread indifference to the
consequence
of our actions.
For many people, having a good standard of living is all that matters.
They care nothing for anyone or anything else.
Garbage litters the streets, toxic waste is dumped in the sea and then the
sea is over-fished to the point of starving the creatures that live in it.
Greed fuels the world, the inexhaustible desire to have more and more and
more. But why?
Page created 17 January 1999