women are still capable of intervening positively. For all our limitations, gestures of generosity,
solidarity and care cannot but well upwithinus, sinceweweremade for love.
59.
At the same time we can note the rise of a false or superficial ecology which bolsters
complacency and a cheerful recklessness. As often occurs in periods of deep crisis which require bold
decisions, we are tempted to think that what is happening is not entirely clear. Superficially, apart from
a few obvious signs of pollution and deterioration, things do not look that serious, and the planet could
continue as it is for some time. Such evasiveness serves as a licence to carrying on with our present
lifestyles and models of production and consumption. This is the way human beings contrive to feed
their self-destructive vices: trying not to see them, trying not to acknowledge them, delaying the
important decisions andpretending that nothingwill happen.
