Conclusion: Devoted to Nature

In Berry’s conclusion chapter in Devoted to Nature, he concludes his belief on how American environmental thought stems from Christian theology, and ultimately the thought process behind American environmentalism is “deeply indebted into the logic of salvation” (184).  This idea that Christian thought can be taught outside of some typical institutionalized traditions. The history of religious teachings and writings have been displayed through club journals such as the Mountaineers, or the Sierra Club. I have found the idea of “spiritual, but not religious” (178) intriguing because it still is using religious vocabulary to describe nature and the feeling nature brings to one. He finds that American environmentalism cannot be fully defined without considering the rooted though of Christian thought. From a time when nature was seen as evil, but has turned into a positive and amazing aspect of many Americans lives especially in ways of the twenty first century.  He moves to conclude that environmental issues should come from more of a theological and ethical position. Berry suggests that environmentalist’s activists should think and rely on a more human flourishing though when discussing how to explain and resolve these global environmental issues.  Berry describes how we should be thinking (theological and ethical), one being that we cannot return to the past. What is done to the current environment cannot be taken back, but can be slowed. We need to concentrate on the types of impacts we create, and be able to be proud of them. He continues on by saying humans can and do influence the environment, but we can’t continue to recognize it as only sinful, but to articulate a more positive vision on how we should influence our environment in a hopeful and just future. Berry concludes with how environmentalists should have a “central commitment to social justice” (188). The mountains and water throughout nature may be beautiful but that satisfaction that nature brings will not matter to one who cannot even receive clean drinking water. One who does not have access to clean drinking water, cannot see the beauty in something that only harms them. Environmentalist’s need to have a more inclusive thought process towards the importance of nature for human society and their needs. Personally, I agree with what Berry suggests on the understanding and thinking behind environmentalism, but I still see such a divide between an environmentalist thinker and a religious one. For instance, conservatives mainly denounce the idea of these global issues such as climate change, and some conservatives view these environmentalists as liberal tree huggers. I don’t know how we can have one conclusive agreement of a theological and ethnic thought process behind nature and the impact of a human race. We see this today all over the news on what to do about the impact we have had on our landscapes and air. There is not a clear answer on what to do, but I don’t think we as a country or even a globe will have an inclusive idea because of such strong beliefs in this issue.