I have always been an environmentalist. My earliest recollections include a deep concern for nature and for other animals. But as a human animal I was strongly influenced by my own environment – a consumer culture in an economic system that requires constant expansion and extraction of resources. So conditioned by cultural programming, I set my passion aside and sought my fortune in the world. I soon realized that the pursuit of the American Dream is an ecological nightmare, and that my livelihood was contrary to my spiritual energy.

This realization became quite clear one late November evening as I was stopped at a railroad crossing near an electrical power plant. For twenty-five minutes I watched as a stream of coal-laden hoppers made their way to the facility. Held captive by this ongoing flow of fossil carbon, I recalled topics of recent newspaper articles: complaints about soot from the plant, mercury levels of the fish in the nearby lake, and air pollutants measured in tons! I reflected on my complicity, as an energy consumer, in the degradation of Creation.

When the train passed, I continued home, driving through a park already dressed up the holidays. Garish displays of colored lights adorned every tree and every bush. Any open space was filled with free-standing light images depicting Santa Claus in every conceivable scenario – on a chimney, with sleigh and reindeer, even in a helicopter! – always with a bagful of toys.

I wondered first, what is the electricity cost and how might the poor be served for the same expense? Then, how much pollution is generated by holiday season power usage? And finally, is this the true spirit of the holidays?

I reflected on the many “disconnects” in our society: the disconnect of the religious and spiritual from our festivals and celebrations; the disconnect of personal actions, consumption, and energy use from their consequences – pollution, deforestation, species extinction, global warming, and even war; and the disconnect of modern humans from the natural world – God’s Creation. 

Our culture views Creation as “the environment.” It is separate from us. It is “out there,” ready to be used and abused as we please. This is a severe corruption of our spiritual relationship with Creation, and with God.

I resolved personally to reconnect, to live more mindfully and spiritually, and less materialistically. My wife and I began our major life transition. Most of our precious possessions – our “stuff” – went to charity. We went from two cars to one. A home energy audit led to conservation and efficiency. We gave up our careers for a simpler, more earth-friendly lifestyle.

We now live in a much smaller house. We grow our own food. Our water supply is a mountain spring. The sun provides hot water, electricity, and winter heating. We are in tune with the natural world and the seasons. And we have time for activism.  Our activism is among people of faith.

In the past, people of faith have led the way to significant cultural transformations – abolishing slavery, expanding voting rights, and upholding civil rights. Once they become aware and inspired, faith communities will lead the way to another cultural transformation – a spiritual reconnecting of humans to Creation, as both dependents and caretakers of this marvelous gift.

By Kim Carlyle.  Kim and his wife, Susan, live near Barnardsville, NC