November 2005    

Sustainability and Spirituality Author: John E. Carroll Publisher: State University of New York Press $18.95 Paper (191 p.) ISBN: 0791461785 B&T         YBP Reviewed by Judy Tessein, Customer Service Support John Carroll has written a thought-provoking and important book. Carroll, a professor of Environmental Conservation at the University of New Hampshire, shows that individuals and groups who have a strong spiritual connection to the earth often have a very high level of commitment to ecology. In his book, he explores specific principles and practices of sustainability within religious communities, which can serve as useful models for broader application within our society. Carroll points out that in order for today's society to move towards true sustainability, it must move beyond disjointed, superficial attempts at environmentalism, and actually have a change in paradigm. Elements within our culture such as consumerism, economic growth, rapidly-advancing technology, and over-reliance on the automobile, among others, are often at odds with the care of the earth. The philosophies of several eco-spiritual thinkers are discussed, most prominently Thomas Berry, but also Sister Miriam Therese MacGillis, Wendell Berry, Thomas Merton and others. There are several chapters devoted to the ecological practices of specific religious communities throughout the United States, many of whom are part of the Sisters of Earth network. A few of those described are Prairewoods in eastern Iowa, Michaela Farm in southeastern Indiana, Sisters of St. Joseph of Nazareth Ecospirituality Center in Michigan and Genesis Farm in New Jersey. However, there are many more communities, past and present, which are mentioned. Some of the common theoretical bases of these communities are: connecting social justice and eco-justice; strong association with Christianity but with openness to ecumenism, including Eastern philosophies and the spirituality of indigenous peoples; following the basic principles of ecology; incorporating the ideas of eco-philosophers and regarding nature as revelation. With sustainability as their goal, these communities are carrying out some of the following ecological practices: strawbale housing, solar and wind power, recycling, radiant floor heat, gray water systems, constructed wetlands for black water (sewage) disposal, high-energy appliances, composting toilets, eating lower on the food chain, organic farming, and supporting local farming. In one of the final chapters, Sustainability and Spirituality addresses the impact of changing scientific thought on our understanding of the earth and the life it supports. Advances in quantum physics and quantum mechanics have moved us from a Cartesian-Newtonian-Baconian model to theories such as chaos theory in mathematics and Heisenberg's Uncertainty Principle, which point us away from a neat mechanical model of the Universe, and towards a more uncertain, interconnected version. Another important topic that Carroll addresses before he comes to a close, is the increasing push to link eco-justice with social justice. These issues seem to go naturally hand-in-hand. Many illustrations are given throughout the United States of ecologically-minded projects which are helping to raise up and support poor communities, often providing cost-savings and jobs. Among the communities mentioned are: the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux in south Louisiana, Amarillo, Texas and the Promised Land Network active in the Texas Panhandle region, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. He also touches briefly on the work of the ecumenical and interdenominational Christian organization Heifer Project International and Presbyterian USA's Ghost Ranch. John Carroll concludes that individuals and groups in American society need to build on Judeo-Christian motivations for caring for the earth by embracing a wider circle of spiritual and scientific philosophies. He believes that it is necessary to experience an authentic connectedness to the earth and all of its life, in order to have the will and commitment to make the lifestyle changes needed to meet the challenge of sustainability. Published by YBP Library Services 999 Maple St., Contoocook, NH 03229 USA v: 800.258.3774   f: 603.746.5628 w: www.ybp.com   e: academia@ybp.com All rights reserved.