Disaster -> religion -> consumerism -> environmental destruction

As the incidence of natural disasters increases over the coming years there will be a similar rise in the number of people turning to religion for explanation and understanding. Although the earthquakes of the last two days cannot be attributed to human environmental destruction, the coming increase in incidence and severity of extreme weather events as a result of climate change can be.

The seemingly inexplicable loss of life that will result from these disasters will drive people to seek solace in religion and spirituality. Unfortunately, the Western world's fervent belief in consumerism as its modern day form of religion will only cause more environmental destruction as humanity rapes and pillages Earth of all its resources. So long as we equate happiness with material belongings, this mutually affirming and perpetuating cycle will continue.

The root cause of humanity's woes is ethical yet the very foundation of our society is based on a purely unethical and irrational treatment of nature as the 'other'. If climate change is not the final proof off this fact, there will be another environmental disaster waiting in the wings.