Yes, environmentalism is a religion for some. It comes from a sense of being so closely connected to the Earth that you can feel the pain inflicted on it; it's emotional, it's personal. Does it help the cause to be so personally involved? Maybe not, much like the best surgeon is not emotionally involved with his patient. But this is the core of the movement- this identification with nature- we can't reject it, because we all feel it at least a little. Even so, we must remain open to new ideas, even reconsidering old ones. It has to be the best science that determines our choices, not irrational fears. Much of the reaction to genetic tampering and radioactivity is based on faith or fear, not science.

It's a fine line between pessimism and realism, when all the facts point to unhappy outcomes. It will be the optimists who make progress as long as our concerns are widely disregarded. Whether we are pessimists or realists, we are not the ones to give the interview- let the optimists do it. Our role from the dark side is to keep reminding the optimist that time is running out, to keep prodding you so you don't get too comfortable.

We know that environmentalists come in all degrees; from the 'priest' who suffers with the Earth to the carefree consumer who trusts in comfortable solutions in plenty of time. If only the media would recognize the spectrum of those who care, instead of perpetuating the labels given to us by our enemies. Perhaps we should label ourselves, rank our members, poll them, and see if anyone listens. I'll bet those of us who are 'priests', who advocate drastic immediate change, (call them 'level 4'), are a minority; we are the 'extreemists' who so often get quoted by our foes, for the purpose of ridicule. Many would likely be 'level 3', who are deeply concerned, frustrated, and willing to change, but maintain some hope for gradual change and a high living standard for all. Most are probably 'level 2'; mildly concerned, willing to change, but trusting in technology to maintain their standard of living. What I would call 'level 1' is anyone who is not an enemy to our cause; willing to listen, but completely trusting in technology, God or government (shudder), to keep them happy without significant change.

If we do this, and the numbers show the majority of us are in fact not 'prophets of doom', then maybe our image will change, and more of 'them' will listen to 'us'.

a liberal in redsville

Yeah Dave, I'll fight for the remaining crumbs while compromising the rest away, along with all the other phony enviros.  Gimme a break, as Dave Foreman said 20 years ago, humans have caused so much ecological damage that the best we can realistically expect is that something will be left to grow back after the next ice age comes and recedes.

So, to your saying that environmentalism has become a religion or that some of us act like priests when we see someone doing or advocating something ecologically destructive, I say GOOD!  If all religions would fight for the Earth instead of against it, I wouldn't have to be anti-religion.

Re your comment about me wanting to excommunicate those who support environmentally destructive policies: as I said before, those who call themselves enviros while promoting ecologically harmful policies do great harm to the efforts to fight those policies, and almost certainly do great harm to the Earth as a result.  I'm not interested in excommunicating anyone and aside from the minor detail (sorry, couldn't resist the sarcasm) in the preceding sentence I couldn't care less how people lable themselves.  I just want to have clearly defined terms so that we can have honest discussions.  Sorry if the truth hurts.

And yes, as an environmental advocacy magazine, Grist should be deeply ashamed of itself for even hinting at implying any support for nuclear power.  Disgusting compromises like this by the large environmental groups are a main reason why there is so little of the natural world left in good condition.

None of this is meant to say that we shouldn't consider all points of view and all topics, but as an environmental advocacy rag I expect you to support the environment, not support destroying it.  Those who want to get anti-environmental messages have only to look at the massive advertising that attacks us every second, or to read or watch corporate propaganda, othewise known as "news."  There will be plenty of nuclear advocates in those media.

P.S.  Perhaps I've misconstrued what Grist is supposed to be.  I always thought of you as an online environmental advocacy magazine, which is why I've been a loyal reader for about a couple of years.  Am I wrong?

Dave and Birdboy,

You are right and jbhlax is wrong.  He is absolutist in his deep ecology.  Humans and their activities are a cancer on the Earth to him.

We can live in harmony with God's creatures.  Here in DC and Maryland, the eagle has recovered.  They have also recovered in the lower 48.  I have eagles near me that cohabit right near the Washington Beltway.  They seem to love the traffic.  They still prosper.  The Potomac River watershed area and suburbs evidently affords them and their progeny a reasonable living.  And they are beautiful to see as I am driving home from DC.

So please keep the magazine open to ideas.  A healthy exchange of views is a very unique Amercan innovation.  Among logic, science and religion, we should come up with reasonable solutions to problems that are humanly solvable.  Don't be bullied.

Norris McDonald

It's not that "[h]umans and their activities are a cancer on the Earth to [ME]," it's that the human race fits the medical definition of being a cancerous tumor on the planet.  This is a non-debatable fact.  We can debate opinions on whether and what to do about it, but the fact remains that the Earth suffers from out-of-control growth of the human race that's consuming the planet.

I to agree that the environmental movement can get too serious as in when a group or persons never look for or see compromise.
 When people become fanatics they stop thinking and operate according to dogma.Always be studying and examining and looking for what needs to be done.Never close your mind to all the possibilities. Ed P.

Why not ask why!?