Are Environmentalists An Endangered Species?

People haven't stopped caring about our planet, but the reasons why they care have changed immensely.

By Stephan Faris - December 30, 2009

ROME, Italy — Way back during the first decade of this century, the Earth was roamed by a beast that will soon be extinct. Environmentalists, it seemed, were everywhere: at the supermarket, plucking at organic produce; at the stoplight, breaking in their hybrid cars; on your neighbor’s roof, putting up solar panels. Even oil companies got in on the action, smiling green from the pages of your magazine.

Yet the last 10 years will be remembered as the time that the environmental movement began its slow sink into the tar pits of obsolescence. It’s not that people have stopped caring about the health of the Earth. They’re more concerned than ever. What’s changing is the reasons why. Protecting the planet and its ecosystems is no longer the purview of those who worry about tropical forests, polar bears or the spotted owl. Increasingly, it’s the priority of people who care about themselves.

Full story:

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/worldview/091229/-endangered-environmentalists

Note from Dan:
Far from bemoaning the loss of the purity of spirit in past environmentralism, we should embrace and welcomer a selfish imperative drive toward it. At a gut-level, Humanity is learning that it must rapidly learn how to live in balance and harmony with nature - if it expects to continue living. Noble ideals will never drive environmentalism to the necessary levels that the need for survival can produce. Personally - I hope that Humanity does choose to survive - and brings the rest of the biosphere along with it into the future. That then brings hope that we can eventually move off-planet and spread life throughout the Universe.