Love it or Lose it: The Coming Biophilia Revolution taught me primarily about the word Biophilia, which
means “the urge to affiliate with other forms of life.” (Wilson
“Biophobia is not OK because
it does not distribute fairly the work of keeping the earth or any local place.”
(Orr 191)
This sentence made me reflect
on the fact that maybe I am responsible for keeping the earth in good condition
for everyone. No matter who you are, you live off of the natural world around
you and therefore everyone should at least think about helping to maintain it
even if it’s just in little daily ways. One way I can think of helping the environment
and nature is by recycling waste material. I don’t think it’s something that
requires much effort on my part, so I recycle.
Desktopict.org
“They are not, and we cannot
in such things remain aloof or indifferent without opening the world to
demons.” (orr 193)
The above quote is referring
to how people shouldn’t be careless about life or nature because as Orr says,
“life ought to excite our passion, not our indifference.” (193) I’ve never
really been “excited” about nature, but I have enjoyed it. When I’ve gone camping
I’ve enjoyed it. When I go outside and play sports, I’ve enjoyed it. Perhaps
nature is a bigger part of my life than I thought.
Active.com
“Whatever our feelings,
however ingenious our philosophies, whatever innate gravity tugs at us, we must
finally choose between life and death, between intimacy and isolation.” (Orr
198)
I find it interesting how Orr
talks about “intimacy” with the natural world. I’ve never thought about that
before. I’m not sure what it means exactly but I guess it means that one have a
relationship with the natural world. That one provides for it, enjoys it,
learns from it. It’s a cool way of looking at it to me.
“We will not enter this new
kingdom of sustainability until we allow our children the kind of childhood in
which biophilia can put down roots.” (Orr 205)
This quote gets me thinking
about the importance of experiencing the outdoors as a child. Connecting with
nature and enjoying it can give hope and a sense of well being to a child. I
know it did for me. It also gets me thinking about how I would want to raise a
child. I would certainly want the child to experience and explore the natural
world.
