Our Earth Cries Out

The book explores the story of America from history, the present, and into the future, in regard to the development of an environmental consciousness. In order to understand how America developed an environmental consciousness it is necessary to consider what was written by or about naturalists who were significant leaders in helping shape America's understanding of the environment. Prominent naturalists from our past who have heavily influenced our environmental awareness today are: John James Audubon, Henry David Thoreau, John Wesley Powell, John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, Enos Mills, Aldo Leopold, and Rachel Louise Carson. Despite the voices of concern from our early naturalists the degradation of the environment has continued at an alarming rate. Progress has been made in many areas and an environmental ethic is lived by numerous individuals and groups. Unfortunately, the unstoppable growth of the country has caused an overwhelming number of environmental issues to push us to the point of no return in saving the environment. Population explosion has caused more pollution, more land use, more need for clean water, more food, and the desire for more technology which America seems to believe will save it. The overall result is more climate change and global warming. Extreme environmental damage also damages humanity in body, mind, and spirit. Just as ecosystems are ravaged so are the humans who share the natural world with all other living species. Physically, humanity seems to be in better health than ever. However, sheer numbers of humans show that for all the progress that is alleged in the physical condition of humankind there are continually more health issues and risks. Emotionally humankind's mental health is suffering as a result of environmental sickness. Anxiety, depression, anger, and severe stress have all grown in extreme ways. The desire for emotional wellness is discussed and sought after more than ever before, but is often only experienced through pictures, words in a book or other technological means and not in reality. As humans struggle to maintain healthy bodies and healthy minds humankind is also pushed into a spiritual crisis. Many world religions are clear that there is a relationship between a healthy natural world and the spiritual center of humankind. The continual search for the meaning of existence has been the sacred journey of humanity since the beginning of history.