Healing a Broken World - Society of Jesus

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 planet 78 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
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