Although it’s been demonstrated that conserving and restoring our world’s natural systems is a multi-win for human well-being (healthy natural systems provide recreation opportunites, improve people’s health, and better communities’ economic livelihoods while also fighting climate change) the environmental debate in America is far too often politicized— especially when it comes to modifying our own individual behaviors.
Manifest Destiny may be an anchor of our American heritage but it’s also in our DNA to want to provide a better life for future generations, to leave a place better than we found it. And the ideals of thrift, patriotism, and hard work towards economic prosperity are all fundamental pieces of our American identity.
Read this great NYTimes article for more on how remembering our core American values can broaden the environmental discussion— to the benefit of both people and nature.
