Thinking Like a Mountain

 Thinking Like A Mountain by Robert Bateman 

        On January 23rd, we discussed excerpts from Aldo Leopold’s A Sand County Almanac as an introduction to environmental literature. In the Thinking Like a Mountain section, Leopold explains how a wolf howl carries different meanings for various creatures: fear for the deer it hunts, opportunity for the scavenging coyote, and alarm for the hunter. Yet, as Leopold writes, "only the mountain has lived long enough to listen objectively to the howl of a wolf." Unlike the other actors, only the mountain perceives the broader ecological balance rather than immediate survival concerns.  

    Leopold recounts a pivotal moment when he assisted in killing a wolf pack and watched "a fierce green fire dying" in the eyes of an old wolf. He initially thought eliminating the wolves would create a hunter's paradise. Instead, he observed the aftermath of extirpating the wolves is deer overgrazing the mountain and eventually starving themselves. He suggests that just as the deer live in fear of the wolves, "the mountain lives in mortal fear of its deer." A fear more justified because it takes many decades to restore a range taken down by too many deer.  This story illustrates the interconnectedness of nature and the repercussions of human actions within an ecosystem. Leopold warns that "too much safety seems to yield only danger in the long run." So, the hidden meaning of thinking like a mountain is thinking and prioritizing long-term sustainability over short-term gains and comfort. 

        It is somewhat self-aggrandizing to view development and civilizing the natural world as an intrinsic good. While society pushes forward in the name of advancement, we risk severing our connection to the environment and leaving future generations with the consequences of our overconsumption. The saying "you can't pour from an empty cup" rings true for individuals and entire ecosystems. While we all seek security, comfort, and prosperity in the present, we must also consider the long-term impact of exhausting our natural resources. Sustainability is necessary for our future. 

 


Comments

  1. williams.dan76March 11, 2025 at 1:50 PM

    Gosh, this is an impressive refection on Aldo Leopold's "think like a mountain." your last senrence in the first sentence is one of the best summaries of AL's meaning that I've read--only the mountain can perceive the broader ecological balance! Your discussion is insightful and thoughtful. I am indeed impressed.

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