Today in developing countries there is a great hunger for development and very little environmental consciousness. Folk wisdom and traditions are reinterpreted to serve the goals of capitalism. During the independence struggle and in the post-independence period in India philosophers, leaders and intellectuals favoured synthesizing western materialism and eastern philosophy. It is difficult to convince the people of India that in the interest of survival of earth they must volunteer for the present low levels of consumption or surrender inessential needs when the developed countries (and also the elites in their own countries) have so much of wasteful consumption. Religion, the modern media, and political leaders are only promoting consumerism and commodification; with little interest in sustainability of ecological process. The result is an anti-ecological belief system, maintained by social structure, capitalism, political leaders, and even religious leaders.
In the above context a cynic may ask: what is the role of environmental consciousness or beliefs when all major decisions are taken by the economic elite (in connivance with political elite) and the ordinary citizens have virtually little role in saving environment. Change of beliefs and behaviours among the common people will be of little consequence unless it leads to mobilization of people to change the social structure of capitalism. Some people however think that the environment can be protected only when people at large develop strong pro-ecological worldview leading to philosophy of spiritualism, equality and simplicity. |
