Environment, democracy, and self-transformation

The aim of this chapter is to reassess the meaning of nature in the context of climate change and human expansion. Environmental concerns are now part of the democratic agenda, yet there is a tendency to deny our place on the planet and our role in the technological and industrial growth of societies. The contemporary perception of nature and technology as mythical objects, widely present in the contemporary imagination, e.g. in a film like "Leave the World Behind", reflects a profound disconnection from their role in shaping human activities and relationships. This isolation of technology as an autonomous force overlooks the potential for human cooperation and agency in addressing global challenges. By reimagining our relationship with nature as an integral part of everyday life rather than a distant entity, we can foster a transformative approach rooted in trust, cooperation, and ethical engagement. This reconceptualization requires acknowledging the ambivalence of our existence on the planet. The perspective defended emphasizes the importance of integrating environmental concerns into everyday life and local contexts, challenging the notion of global perspectives divorced from individual actions and responsibilities. Thoreau's Walden offers a still-valuable lesson in combining recognition of our ambivalent rootedness in nature with democratic claims.