Sunday, November 29, 2009
Wendell Berry on "Going Green"
"Abstraction is the enemy wherever it is found. The abstractions of sustainability can ruin the world just as surely as the abstractions of industrial economics. Local life may be as much endangered by those who would 'save the planet' as by those who would 'conquer the world.' For 'saving the planet' calls for abstract purposes and central powers that cannot know--and thus will destroy--the integrity of local nature and local community. In order to make good ecological sense for the planet, you must make ecological good sense locally. You can't act locally by thining globally" (Berry; Sex, Freedom, Economy, & Community; 23).
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2 comments:
Does it even matter if the local life dies, or say the vanity of local nature or community being destroyed? When your own farm will become a governmentally controlled, bureaucratic nightmare, where is the freedom that was declared to be the foundation of this country? I applaud Mr. Berry who is very brave to stand up, speak up and fight for what he believes.
In your post “In order to make good ecological sense for the planet, you must make ecological good sense locally.” I have an insight here. There is a similar situation in our faith tied to that challenges us: when we as Christ followers look at the global status of evangelical Christianity and show concerned on how big the number is for the lost people in the world; or go on a mission trip to another place/country; or have a big dream/plan to reach out the lost people in another place/country, did we ignore the lost people locally like our family members or our neighbors? Have we done our duty as a watchman? (Ezekiel 33:1-10)
I think you are spot on there Sarah! Berry's comments could also be applied to our desire to help those people "over-there" and our refusal to engage with the people right around us!
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