Healing a Broken World
ecological crises. While some cultural traits of our society seem to be based on a ‗culture of death‘, others spring from a culture that respects and preserves life. Civil society and the “green movement” 62] It is impossible to write a history of social activism during the second half of the 20th century without taking into account the presence of the ―green movement‖. From the classical ―animal protection‖ groups to the most combative anti-nuclear activists, an immense range of interests, visions and methods have been developed to involve individuals, to promote social awareness, and quite often, to advocate for legal changes. For thousands of citizens, especially for many young people, the green movement in its enormous variety is the path to follow in the practice of solidarity and active participation in social affairs. Ecological engagement has many aspects, such as joining the local engagement with a global vision; getting involved in actions that directly imply a change of reality. Quite often ecological engagement asks for behaviour that affects our life styles. Undoubtedly, and compared with other modes of social participation, the green movement inspires an unmatched attraction. 63] Conservationists have obtained protection of geographical areas with special value: national parks for the benefit of all society.77 The growing consciousness of having reached the physical limits of our planet78 through the exploitation of land, water, air and natural resources, plus the nuclear risks, has led to the formation of innumerable associations, NGOs and political parties that have made protecting the environment their main focus. Green Parties exist today all over the world, and in many places they have formed part of governmental coalitions. Besides ecological concerns, these parties are well known for promoting social justice, grassroots democracy and pacifism. The importance of the environment is such that today there is not a single political party that does not take a stand on this issue. World religions and ecology 64] Though religious traditions are ill-equipped to deal with the complexity of the ecological crisis, there is a growing consensus that the values they promote can play a decisive role in establishing new relationships with creation.79 There have been various attempts to engage religions in the struggle to establish new relationships with nature.80 The size and Page 39 ■