There is a fundamental Buddhist teaching known as the Noble Eightfold Path. This is also called the Middle Way because it encourages moderation and respect for life by reducing cravings and attachment to transitory things. The eight actions are right view, right intention (these two promote seeing into the true nature of things), right speech, right action, right livelihood (these three are ethics-based), and right effort, right mindfulness and right concentration (the last three are for developing the mind).
During the Buddha’s time, about 500 B.C., environmental issues were not of great concern. However, the suffering caused by craving for possessions (attachment) or by fearing something (aversion) led to behaviors where sustainability and caring for others, including animals, were ignored in the pursuit of obtaining more. Modernly, our cravings for bigger cars and houses, and more “stuff” lead to a diminishing natural world as we demand more and more.
A few weeks ago, on Earth Day, the Dalai Lama gave a teaching in Michigan where he said, “It is better to know the limitations of material value. We always want more and more and more. I think some lifestyle ... has to change.” He also spoke of how environmental responsibility is perfectly consistent with the Buddhist teachings of valuing human life. He said, “Taking care of our planet, environment, is something like taking care of our own home. This blue planet is our only home.”
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