Environmental ethics - has secularism gone too far?

I have always been sceptical about the link that environmentalism seems to have with a form of spitirtuality that manifests itself in worship of "Earth mother". I have always thought that this connection has done more damage than good to the environmental movement. My line has been that environmentalism needs to be taken seriously, and that for this to happen, we need a movement based on a rationality that has no place for anthropomorphism.

However, after reading and listening to the late Australian environmental philosopher Val Plumwood, I have to admit that I am increasingly sympathetic to a (note the singular - I remain hesitant!) spiritual aspect of the movement.

While I cannot do justice to Plumwood's argument - indeed I would recommend that you listen
to one of her lectures yourself - I will briefly try to relay her point.

In line with the theory of deep ecology Plumwood argues that we have allowed what she terms a 'hyper-separation' of humanity from nature. This is not only anthropocentric, but potentially catastrophic. The problem is that environmental 'management' has been captured by a scientific ethos that champions quantitative ways of 'knowing' and 'managing' the environment. This elevation of science, both a cause and consequence of the formation of the secular state, have not only made religion or spiritualism in the Western world unnecessary, but laughable.

Plumwood's point is that despite our ever-increasing understanding and knowledge of Earth's awe-inspiring ecosystems (much of which has come through science), we continue to exploit and degrade nature at more and more alarming rates (indeed at rates that ignore the science).

Plumwood's suggestion therefore, is a return to animist forms of belief. She proposes that through giving the environment 'human-like' qualities, we may take more care of it. This argument is certainly not new. Proponents of the Fourth World movement and indigenous rights activists have long argued that this form of belief system is inherent to their environmental management/guardianship. There are, of course, endless references to this school of thought.

What is new for me at least, is the persuasiveness of this argument. Perhaps it is due to the National-led government's systematic trashing, repealing and cutting of any and all budget or project that has even a suggestion of environmentalism that has led to my increased sympathy for the spiritual path? I must admit that I am at a point of despair.

However, on a less melodramatic note, I would argue that there is room for a way of thinking that engenders more care for the environment while not necessarily undermining the progress we have made in deconstructing the power and control of religion. I am all for secularism, but I am also all for the environment. In saying this I do not mean to imply that secularism (and therefore science) equates to environmental destruction. Of course science has done a lot for the environment and it will play an increasingly important role in how we negotiate our way through the future environmental problems that we face.

My suggestion, therefore, is that perhaps secularism has gone too far. Perhaps the crusade against any and all religious belief has resulted in a worldview that baulks at the idea of myths and stories - both of which are important tools for learning about protection of- and respect for- the environment.

I suppose what I'm getting at is that I think its time we re-enchanted our idea of nature. While I am wary that this may sound like yet another form of anthropocentrism - we control nature and create stories about nature - I would stress, like Plumwood, that it is about intention. If our intention is to live in partnership with nature, then our stories will be doting, not domineering.

So go on, make your own myth about your local park or take some time to learn the indigenous peoples' story of your neighbourhood and its natural resources. Its time we fully accepted the magnitude of these issues and that we do all that we can to put us back on the right track. And if that means swallowing your secularist pride, then I say do it!