Developing Ecological Consciousness - Christopher Uhl

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Résumé :
Developing Ecological Consciousness is a marked departure from those standard environmental studies texts strongly focused on actions that humans need to take to fix the environment. Christopher Uhl explores the path to living in harmony with Earth, and believes it begins - not with fixing the environment - but with fixing ourselves - specifically our perceptions about Earth. Using findings from science and his own life experience Uhl explains how all our environmental and social problems - e.g., climate change, species extinction, environmentally-linked cancers, genocide, deforestation - are rooted in separation - the severing of relationship between ourselves and the environment. As an antidote to separation, this book is an invitation to see everything - Earth, Cosmos, Sun, Worm, Bee - as well as each other and our very selves with new eyes. This new look through the lens of relationship and interdependence reminds us of the larger ecological truth - namely: that we are a part of, not apart from Earth. Indeed, at every level, from the sub-atomic to the cosmic, it is an interdependent relationship that defines reality. Uhl places a large focus on healing throughout the book. As we break away from the old story of hyper-individualism, unrestrained growth, control and consumption, we move to a new story of human realization. Ultimately, this new story reveals that by making peace with ourselves and each other, we gain the capacity to make peace with Earth, delighting in the realization that Earth is our larger body, the sacred whole that we dwell within. Developing Ecological Consciousness successfully exposes the realization that must take place in order to rejoin the community of life; after all, the world was not made for us, but rather, it is we who have been made for the world.

Biographie:
Christopher Uhl is a professor of biology at The Pennsylvania State University. As a young man, he had an interest in both medicine and ecology. At Penn State he has been able to join these interests under the rubric of ecological healing. During the 1980s, he studied the ways in which rainforest ecosystems heal following deforestation. Then, in the 1990s he focused on the role that universities might play in healing by modeling sustainable ecological practices. He is also the author (along with his partner Dr. Dana L. Stuchul) of Teaching as if Life Matters: The Promise of a New Education Culture-a book reflecting a lifelong passion for teaching and learning. See Uhl's website at www.chrisuhl.net.

Sommaire:
Preface Acknowledgments Part I: Earth Our Home Ch. 1: Discovery-Belonging to Something Greater Than Ourselves Ch. 2: Coming to Awareness-A Living Planet Ch. 3: Cultivating Community-Intimacy with Earth's Web of Life Part II: Assessing the Health of Earth Ch. 4: Listening-Gauging the Health of Earth Ch. 5: Courage-Facing Up to the Unraveling of the Biosphere Ch. 6: Living the Questions-Discovering Causes of Earth Breakdown Part III: Healing Ourselves, Healing Earth Ch. 7: The Old Story-Economism and Separation Ch. 8: The Great Turning-Birthing a New Story Epilogue End Notes Index About the Author

Christopher Uhl, professor of biology at the Pennsylvania State University, has written an intriguing book that tackles perhaps the most fundamental issues of our times, specifically, how to achieve sustainable societies that integrate, as opposed to alienate, the ecological world upon which we depend. Whether or not the reader agrees with Uhl's individual points or not is immaterial. It is the connections drawn throughout the book which, like ecology, make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. -- Mark A. Cochrane, Michigan State University Conservation Biology Christopher Uhl has been developing his own ecological consciousness since the first edition, as is clear from this significant rewrite of that earlier gem. It is shorter, crisper, and significantly deeper, if that's possible. There is sadness and hope woven in the pages that give us a portrait of the world we share and the relationships that will foretell our common future. He has dug deep to share his collected knowledge and wisdom and opened his heart to all that needs mended. A textbook for sure, but much, much more ... guide to living. -- Terry Link, president, Starting Now, LLC I was so excited when I discovered the first edition of Developing Ecological Consciousness. It was exactly what I needed in a course book. I have used it every year since and in reviewing the second edition, it just got better. -- Coleen O'Connell, Lesley University Christopher Uhl at once offers a loving, joyful invitation and a profound challenge to transform our relationships with Earth. With great clarity and insight, Uhl shows us that the ecological crisis is fundamentally about who we are, as individuals and as a people. I feature Developing Ecological Consciousness in my introductory environmental courses, and my students and I agree: this is a magnificent, one-of-a-kind book. -- Greg Lankenau, University Colloquium: A Sustainable Future, Florida Gulf Coast University Reading Christopher's second edition of Developing Ecological Consciousness has been a homecoming, a reminder of who we are, a reminder of what's really important. It should be required reading for all, because it gives us pause to consider the road we will take. And for the sake of the Earth and for our peace of minds, that will make all the difference. Christopher turns the environmental movement on its head by saying that the question is not how much stuff we can consume and still keep the Earth sustainable, but rather how our lives can nurture the Earth. He uses a variety of devices to accomplish this reorientation. Like Christopher himself, the book is passionate yet gentle; using poignant quotations, revealing vignettes, and easy-to-understand descriptions of how our planet works. Because Developing Ecological Consciousness celebrates the potential of the human spirit, it is uplifting. It brings out the best in the reader. -- Steven Lachman, Ph.d, Political Columnist and Environmental Attorney, Pennsylvania State University Christopher Uhl provides a book that begins in wonder and concludes with applied hope. Developing Ecological Consciousness is a brilliant introduction to the complexities of ecology and mind, and a timely reminder that the world is still rich in possibilities. -- David W. Orr, Oberlin College, author of Hope is an Imperative