I recently read Daniel B. Smith's article, "Is There an Ecological Unconscious?" in the New York Times Magazine (1-31-10). New terms like "eco-anxiety" and "eco-paralysis" are popping up because people are reacting to the ecological decline by experiencing "numbness, despair, ‘a sense of being overwhelmed or powerlessness,' and grief." At the other extreme nature lovers, biophiliacs like E. O. Wilson and his followers, are not letting ominous news deter them from happily celebrating nature's joys. This got me to thinking about how the nine Enneagram personality types might approach ecology (naturally, people's reaction will also be affected by whether they live on the banks of a disappearing island or in a place seemingly untouched by global warming, a la my cartoon):
Perfectionists have a tendency to worry. Activists by nature, many recycle, eat fish that are not endangered, and join ecological causes. Some idealists among them will choose careers in ecology in order to make the world a better place.
Helpers can empathize with polar bears at the North Pole and consider the needs of future generations of humans. They are most likely to join ecology causes if they have a Perfectionist wing.
Achievers who aren't committed to other careers can work hard to save the planet. Hank, an example in "The Career Within You," is dedicated to the cause of bicycles. He's on the board of the Green Mobility Network in Miami, which promotes alternatives to the automobile: mass transit, bikes, and walking. He also works on a mass transit program in Berkeley CA, where he lives part of the year.
Romantics, being among the most compassionate of the types, sometimes devote themselves heart and soul to ecological causes.
Observers like John Weber, an example in "The Career Within You," like to sink their teeth into projects. John brought renewable energy to his state by starting weatherizing programs, built his own house in the woods and lived off the grid, created community gardens, and landed grants to heat city buildings with solar power.
Questioners like famous activist Erin Brockovich, another example from "The Career Within You," can become energized over wrongs. When she worked as a file clerk, she discovered the Pacific Gas and Electric Company covering up the poisoning of the water supply of a town. Her perseverance brought PG&E to justice.
Adventurers are often optimistic about the future. While some may ignore threatening signs, others will pitch in enthusiastically and try to save the Earth.
Asserters stand up for justice. What better issue to defend than how the world is being treated? In joining the cause of ecology, Asserters can be both protective and idealistic.
Peace Seekers with a strong Perfectionist wing are likely to join the ecology movement. Most Peace Seekers tend to have an affinity for nature and want to support the health of the Earth.
There is now a journal called Ecopsychology, dedicated to "the relationship of environmental issues and mental health and well-being." Next year a book by the same name edited by Peter Kahn and Patricia Hasbach will be published. My favorite part of the Smith article was about anthropologist and historian Gregory Bateson. Bateson objected to what he saw, perhaps forty years ago, as a wide belief that mind and nature operate independently of each other. Instead, what we need now is awareness, clarity of thinking, a call for mental health, and a call for communication with nature in both directions. I would add a lesson the Enneagram can provide, which is to accept and encourage the diversity of styles necessary to accomplish these calls to action.
