The Connectedness Of Humanity And Nature

Specific causes and effects in the external world cannot be linked together with absolute certainty, and physical effects in the environment might even have causes that are ultimately supernatural in nature [1], but it is still true that there are obvious correlations between environmental factors and human flourishing.  There is a clear connection between humanity and nature, even if it cannot ultimately be demonstrated to be anything beyond a series of very strong and persistent correlative relationships that impact both sides.  It should be easy for anyone to grasp a fundamental fact about the matter: since humans live in their environment, any connection between the two is vital to the former.

Humans do not flourish when their physical surroundings are dangerous, inconsistent, or likely to deteriorate faster than they can adapt to.  What person who values their wellbeing and comfort would live in a home expected to collapse on them at any time without putting any effort into either trying to find a new home or repair the current one?  In all likelihood, very few, if any, would opt to simply ignore the problems with their habitation!  As soon as the house is replaced by the even grander scope of the broad environment, however, there are many who would adopt a stance that entails apathy, delayed reaction, or minimal concern.

It is destructive to trivialize the aforementioned correlations between the wellbeing of humankind and kf the planet, as the integrity of human civilization itself hinges on these connections, regardless of where a given society resides geographically.  Despite this, some Christians do not deeply consider the fact that treating the environment well can make the planet a better home for human life.  Going beyond this, some are not even interested in contemplating the subject at all!  This is an ironically unbiblical stance to hold.  Genesis does place humans in a category above animals and inanimate aspects of the natural world (neither animals nor the environment is made in God's image), and yet to fail to impact the environment in a neutral or positive way is detrimental to the quality of human life.

It is irrational and damaging to misinterpret the Biblical emphasis of humanity over the environment to mean that ignoring the environment is somehow an indicator of moral correctness--or that it is somehow respectful to the contents of the Bible.  If one cares about the humans made in God's image, one of the most asinine things to do is disregard the very world that contains them.  At best, to do so reveals an incomplete concern for humans and the deity responsible for the material world to begin with.  While learning about the specific correlations between human and environmental events might be challenging, there is no intellectual or Biblical excuse for denying the importance of the environment's role in human life.

[1].  https://thechristianrationalist.blogspot.com/2019/08/physical-effects-do-not-require.html