Interesting indeed! As Jim said, you can switch 'environmentalist' with many group names. Crichton is not very kind to religions here, not only have they done terrible things, they've also done great things.

Returning to the topic of environmental change and the way humans affect it, when I hear that 1500+ scientists (100+ Nobel and 60 National Medal Science laureates included) sign a paper urging governments to do something about global warming I stop and make sure I read what they're saying. http://www.ucsusa.org/global_environment/archive/page.cfm?pageID=530

I do believe this problem has gone from mere politics to something that requires action. And yes, we wont be able to see any results, but we have to think of whoever will come after us.