CONSIDER: S.P.E.C.I.E.S. – PART V

As a reminder, I am inviting us to consider (i.e., think about, reflect upon, engage in deep searching conversations about) seven dimensions that help define who we are as a Human SPECIES. Thus far we have briefly explored five of these dimensions. This morning we will continue our exploration with the next dimension, the ‘Environmental Dimension.’

Environmental – Consider that as a Species we (a) influence and are influenced by, (b) impact and are impacted by, (c) inform and are informed by, and (d) engage and are engaged by our ‘natural environment’ and by our ‘human-made environment.’ As stewards we have been entrusted with both. We are always responsible for both (although at times we have neglected or even denied our responsibility). Because we believe we control our human-made environment we, not too infrequently, believe that we can control the natural environment. As a human Species we have also denied the impact our human-made environment has had (is currently having) upon the natural environment (we are, in these cases, not good stewards of what we have been entrusted with).

If left alone, the natural environment will care for herself. I am thinking of the time when our planet was impacted by the asteroid that killed off many species. The natural environment recovered and thrived. As a human Species we seem to be today’s asteroid and we might be so good at wounding our natural environment that we might well destroy her and ourselves. I am now thinking of the wonderful movie, ‘WALL-E’ and so I am not without hope for our natural environment (I am less hopeful when it comes to our human Species and our survival).

Consider: Environment — the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences;
surroundings; or milieu; the air, water, minerals, organisms, and all other external factors surrounding and affecting a given organism at any time; the social and cultural forces that shape the life of a person or a population; Computers: the hardware or software configuration, or the mode of operation, of a computer system; and an indoor or outdoor setting that is characterized by the presence of environmental art that is itself designed to be site-specific. Talk about a diversity of definitions. As a human-Species we are entrusted with all of these.

Some believe that we humans continue to separate ourselves from our natural environment. We no longer believe or behave as if we are ‘part of;’ we seem to believe – our decisions and actions appear to confirm this belief – that we are separate from and not integral to the natural environment. This ‘belief’ supports decisions we continue to make that support our ‘human-made environment’ with the consequences (unintended?) that our natural-environment continues to suffer and to be at risk. Because we continue to be separated from – if not in direct conflict with – other members of our human-Species we cannot agree on what and how we should (need to?) care for the natural-environment.

The ‘Environmental Dimension’ is also directly affected by and impacted by the seventh dimension, the ‘Social Dimension.’