Author:

Keywords:

nature, spirituality, motivation, hermeneutics, ethics, environment

Abstract:

In spite of a sense of urgency about the ecological state of the planet, almost everyone at a certain point is confronted with some discrepancy between his or her ecological values and the behavioural choices he or she actually makes. The so-called value-action gap poses a considerable motivational challenge to environmental policy and awareness-raising initiatives. Recent studies within environmental psychology and education reveal an important role for the affective in motivating proenvironmental behaviour. Emotionally engaging encounters with nature as other foster a sense of connectedness to nature that supplies an internal motivation to act on its behalf. These studies also indicate that such aspects of relationality, commitment and environmental identity appear to have a pronounced hermeneutical dimension. However, given the growing (sub-)urbanization, opportunities to encounter nature in its alterity seem rather limited. This could lead to a certain distancing, even an alienation to nature. More and more, human-shaped environments form the habitats we live in, with the natural as an ever appreciated, albeit largely decorative or recreational, backdrop. What opportunities for genuine encounter could still be envisaged? Environmentally engaged persons (e.g. conservation volunteers) often refer to an ineffable, mysterious “spirituality” within nature. This appears to be linked to their sense of connectedness to nature and contributes to a profound respect for it. How can we appropriately articulate this somewhat elusive spiritual-religious dimension? And what could environmentalists gain from acknowledging such elements within their worldviews?