The Dalai Lama presents care for the environment as a profound moral and spiritual responsibility grounded in the Buddhist insight of interdependence. All forms of life, ecosystems, and human societies are seen as intimately connected, so that harming the natural world ultimately harms present communities and future generations. Environmental degradation is traced to inner states such as greed, ignorance, and lack of compassion, and therefore ecological healing is linked to inner transformation. From this perspective, environmental stewardship is not a secondary concern but an expression of spiritual development and inner peace, framed as a universal responsibility that transcends national and cultural boundaries.

Regarding climate change, he accepts the scientific understanding that human activity is driving a serious and urgent global crisis. He has described this threat as grave, emphasizing that it endangers countless beings and undermines long-term human well-being and world peace. The Himalayan and Tibetan plateau, sometimes called the “Third Pole,” occupies a special place in his reflections, as melting glaciers there threaten water systems that sustain vast populations across Asia. Environmental destruction in this region is treated as emblematic of wider planetary imbalance, illustrating how local damage reverberates through the entire interconnected web of life.

Ethically, his teaching calls for a response rooted in compassion, nonviolence, and a sense of stewardship for the Earth. Environmental harm is portrayed as generating negative consequences not only in material terms but also in the moral and spiritual fabric of human life. Overconsumption and materialism are criticized as powerful drivers of ecological crisis, and he repeatedly links genuine contentment with simpler living and reduced attachment to material goods. In this way, environmental care becomes an arena in which inner values such as restraint, kindness, and responsibility are tested and refined.

Practically, he supports international cooperation, climate policies, and scientific efforts aimed at reducing emissions and protecting ecosystems. Renewable energy, sustainable development, and forest and habitat protection are encouraged as concrete expressions of compassion in action. At the same time, he stresses that systemic change must be accompanied by individual transformation: mindful use of resources, reduced waste, simpler lifestyles, and more plant-based diets are all commended as meaningful contributions. For him, authentic environmental action arises when outer measures and inner awakening move together, guided by wisdom and a heartfelt concern for all sentient beings.