The environmental movement has strayed from its roots in nature, focusing too heavily on climate change and losing its connection to the very ecosystems it aims to protect. This shift has led to a decline in the movement's vibrancy and a disconnect between environmentalists and the natural world. The author, who has worked at the intersection of economics and conservation, argues that the movement needs to find nature again and fight for the planet's ecosystems, plants, and wildlife to regain its power and purpose. The environmental movement has become too climate-driven, with funding and attention shifting away from nature-based solutions. The author highlights the importance of protecting what people know and love, such as local conservation lands and wildlife, to build genuine bipartisan collaboration and make climate change real and relevant to people. An environmentalism of places, where people take care of ecosystems near them, can help restore wild populations and protect the planet's natural wonders.
