ABSTRACT
In this chapter, I argue that human societies can’t be “green”—that is, act in ways that support, protect, preserve, or restore the well-being of the web of life on Earth—unless at least some of their members genuinely love that web of life. I begin by exploring what it means to love (or not). If we consider inattentive and denigrating perceptions as well as neglectful and abusive actions to be “not love,” then “love” must be a combination of caring perception and caring action. But the perceptions and actions of the currently dominant human cultures toward the rest of nature turn out to demonstrate “not love” quite precisely. Since these perceptions and actions are causing profound damage to the web of life, I conclude that preserving and restoring the web of life cannot be achieved unless these cultures cultivate a more loving relationship with it, coming to care both about and for life on Earth. Admittedly, doing so will be quite challenging, and, moreover, insufficient without other structural and material changes. Nevertheless, the evidence suggests both that people can love the rest of nature and that we must.
