Gaining Back Respect for Nature

Lily De Silva states that much of environmental destruction occurring in India has much to do with the influences of other cultures and religions that have been thrust upon the area over that past centuries. Morals have morphed and changed, placing economic values about those such as wonder, awe, and appreciation for the natural and unknown. It seems that we are focusing on short-term goals for the future instead of long-term, supporting De Silva's point that "people have come to worry about their survival and freedom; hence, respect for nature gets displaced by economic factors" (317). But, what society needs to realize is that our ultimate survival depends upon nature's survival. It's constant mistreatment will lead to our demise...but not just on the scale of a single country like India. But this movement she mentions that could be developed and spread, based upon "spiritual-guidance" and acknowledging our errors (especially from in the West), seems too hopeful in that the spiritual guidance stemming from Hinduism does not agree with other religions (and other people throughout the world). She mentioned herself that other religions, such as Christianity have long reached their shores...and have a definite disagreement with how nature is viewed and our relationship with the environment. To convince others to believe in Hindu teachings does not just take persuading on the part of whats best for nature and the environment, but you have to be able to sway them away from a religion they have grown up and or just strongly believe in-this may be something people are not willing to give up, whether or not its whats best for the health of the earth. As noted before, we think short-term and selfishly.