Ante litteram ecologist

Guido Morselli, a visionary writer often recognized posthumously, anticipated crucial avant-garde themes. The rediscovery of his unpublished works after the 1983 Gavirate conference, along with the release of A Fortunate Mission and Nature and Man, has significantly revitalized his literary legacy. These works reveal Morselli as an "ante litteram" ecologist, whose vision not only depicted but predicted the dire consequences of environmental devastation. His 1952 letter to La Prealpina, asserting that "the defence of greenery is a social necessity," demonstrates his prophetic insight into the burgeoning ecological crisis. 

Morselli astutely observed how modernity reduces nature to a mere resource, eroding humanity's respect for and sense of belonging to the environment. He argued that industrial progress, prioritizing profit and efficiency, had distracted humanity from the critical importance of biodiversity and ecological balance. 

This detachment, he warned, posed a threat not only to ecosystems but also to human well-being, which relies on a deep connection with nature for psychophysical equilibrium. He urged a shift towards more respectful environmental protection, capable of preserving the richness of ecosystems. 

Furthermore, Morselli perceived progress as a catalyst for the erosion of traditional cultural values, the very essence of a people's identity. Technological development and globalization, he argued, tend to standardize lifestyles and values, obscuring cultural specificities, local traditions, and minority languages. This loss, he contended, was not merely a matter of historical memory but a fundamental threat to identity. When a community ceases to value its cultural heritage, it risks losing its sense of belonging and continuity with the past. 

Morselli's thought invites a rediscovery of an authentic relationship with the territory and the safeguarding of traditions as invaluable resources. His critique of modernity serves as a call to prioritize environmental and cultural sustainability, where "sustainable" signifies living in harmony with the natural world and respecting the traditions that define our identity. In this light, Morselli's insights align with the core principles of environmental protection and cultural heritage preservation, recognizing them as essential components of our existence.