In terms of technology we already have all the solutions we need to avert environmental catastrophe. We don't have to reduce our standard of living. If anythi

In terms of technology we already have all the solutions we need to avert environmental catastrophe. We don't have to reduce our standard of living. If anything quality of life will go up, as living in harmony with nature is fun, healthy, and economical. In terms of actually learning (really re-learning) to live in harmony with nature the resolution lies in what Martin Buber called "I-Thou vs. I-it": > Buber's main proposition is that we may address existence in two ways: > - The attitude of the "I" towards an "It", towards an object that is separate in itself, which we either use or experience. > - The attitude of the "I" towards "Thou", in a relationship in which the other is not separated by discrete bounds. > One of the major themes of the book is that human life finds its meaningfulness in relationships. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_and_Thou https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_and_Thou By treating Nature as an "it" rather than a living constellation of living beings we deny ourselves the meaningfulness of relationship with the rest of life. This in turn naturally leads otherwise-good people to thoughtlessly and needlessly destroy other living beings and the ecosystems which they comprise and which sustain them. Scientific reductionism has lead to incredible insights into the biomolecular machinery of life, which in turn has lead naturally to our dawning understanding of the physical chemical basis of cellular communication ("wood wide web"; Michael Levin's lab; etc.) The task now is to harmonize our technology with the ecological systems around us. - - - - I met a group of people living in Northern California who produce their own food and energy, construct their own buildings from on-site material (wood, stone, earth) and they even have a cow for milk production. They also have Internet and modern technology. I'm not saying we should all live in semi-rural communes. I'm pointing out that it's possible to have the best of the techno-industrial world and the Natural world.