The Intersection of Humanism and Environmentalism

Author: Chase Mack

Caption: I set out to write this essay as I hoped to delve deeper into the idea of green urbanism, an interesting outlook on the possible transformation of our cities into ecologically-productive areas filled with green space. Among the things I’ve noticed about the plights of modern life, which is also backed up by significant established research, is that the lack of greenery within our cities leads to issues of mental health and depression. Hence, a reunion with nature in our cities would serve two issues, not only reducing emissions and aiding our environment, but also improving our collective mental health. Environmentalism, especially given our urban sprawl and rapidly growing population, is an inherently humanist issue, which has been wrongly framed as an issue whose resolution will negatively impact our daily lives. Once we can understand environmentalism as a net positive for humanity, we can garner more support for the cause, live more fulfilling lives, and improve the livability of our large urban spaces. Green urbanism is only one aspect of a larger solution, but we absolutely must seek to make our cities more environmentally efficient and inclusive if we are to move forward, allowing nature to return to areas dominated by gray hues and concrete.

Tags: Injustice in Life