The past and present tell us that Western culture has been exploiting nature’s resources and other cultures for its own financial gain for hundreds of years. The activities have found expression in fierce capitalism, patriarchy, imperialism, and individualism; reinforced by religion, science and philosophy. This is the mindset and the actions that have brought about our present ecological situation.
 
Within the industrial paradigm of growth, economic activity usually always hurts something or someone, but fortunately we now see examples of other types of economies. A flourishing of what we might call the ecological economy: sharing economies, upcycling and recycling, organic farming cooperatives, regenerative agriculture, and increasingly sustainable, socially responsible companies.
 
However, there is still a very long way to go. We need to change our ideals, our self-understanding, and our relationship with and understanding of the ecosystem, our fellow humans, and fellow species. Recognising the connectedness requires a major change in our outlook and consciousness; a transformation and a paradigm shift. All this makes Spiritual Ecology deeply relevant.