Overcoming the human-environment dichotomy by way of the Buddhist eightfold path

Anima, Vol. 4 No. 2, Spring Equinox 1978, 13-25

Let each jewel reflect all the others, each according to its own faculty

by Andrew Reding

A Failure of Motivation

The year 1970 was a watershed year for the environmental movement in the United States. Preceding years witnessed the emergence of an accelerating series of environmental problems and catastrophes. Smogs, oil spills, fish kills, climbing cancer rates, and algal blooms were projected with increasing frequency into living rooms and onto breakfast tables. In response to public alarm, the American superstructure awakened almost overnight to the significance of environmental concerns.