caring for the earth = caring for ourselves

It makes sense when you think of it.  A person who loves and values herself, takes care of herself.  So it isn't a stretch to see that if we have an appreciation for the earth and truly love and value the earth, we take care of it.

Taking this idea higher, how can we pray about the earth in a way that leads to its protection?

MBEddy offers a keen insight to the spiritual definition of earth:

S&H 585:5
EARTH. A sphere; a  type  of eternity and immortality, which are likewise without beginning or end.  To  material sense, earth is matter; to spiritual sense, it is a compound idea.  

Her definition of man includes the "compound idea" just as in the definition of earth.

S&H 591:5
MAN.The compound idea  of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God;  the full representation of Mind. 

If we interchange the idea of man for earth, we get another insight:

S&H  475:6
Man (earth) is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique. He is the compound idea of God, including all right ideas.

This way of praying - interchanging myself for the earth and the earth for myself - helps me to see the intimate connection we all have with the infinite.  The strength of  the mountains, is strength I can draw on myself.  I can recognize the beauty and grandeur of the northern lights, simply because I can recognize beauty.  And I  can claim that beauty for myself.  The same Creator that created me created all the wonders of the earth.  We are inseparable.

Prayer becomes an affirmation of the power of God and that inseparable relationship, just as it sings out in this Psalm:

Ps 139:14 
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and
wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; 
and that my soul knoweth right well.

The prayer can end with an affirmation that we each have the intelligence, the  ability to recognize what is beautiful and grand, and the strength to persist and protect that which we love.  We are not overwhelmed, but find that we can relate to the infinite nature of the sky as well as we can accept the infinite possibilities for right solutions that will restore balance in our environment.