本書作者維克斯勒（Jay Wexler）遊歷全球，揭露宗教與環境的緊密依存。

你知道：

在香港和新加坡，道士會燒紙錢給「餓死鬼」，安撫這群孤魂野鬼，卻造成空氣瀰漫撲鼻難受的煙味與危險毒氣？

在孟買，印度人為慶祝象神節，將二十英尺高的印度象神（Ganesh）放入水中祈求平安，任憑一尊尊象神在海面上漂流的祭典盛況，卻污染西印度缺乏的水資源？

在台灣，佛教徒將被抓到並關在籠裡的動物放到野外求生，視此「放生」行為是一種積福德的修行，卻扼殺更多動物與破壞生態系統？

在以色列，著名紀念猶太教祭司的慶典──篝火節（Lag B'Omer），猶太人會點亮篝火，讓嗆鼻濃煙填滿各角落，卻造成空氣污染，及急診室裡的氣喘和其他肺部疾病病患的病情加劇？

作者踏遍全球，就為了瞭解這些問題的錯綜複雜性，以及學習社會如何應付這些衍生的問題。他透過在美國阿拉斯加州北部盡情欣賞鯨魚啜泣、在瓜地馬拉時坐在一台破爛吉普車後座顛簸行進、爬進孟買塞滿人群的海邊，以及在科羅拉多州學習如何拉起一隻死掉的老鷹等等奇特經歷，彙整回答了這個問題：宗教慣例與環境保護能否共存？

這是一部個人旅記，也是一部紀實作品。

Jay Wexler is a professor at the Boston University School of Law, where he has taught since 2001. Prior to teaching, Wexler studied religion at the University of Chicago Divinity School and law at Stanford Law School. After law school, he worked as a clerk to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the U.S. Supreme Court and then as a lawyer in the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Justice. He has published nearly two dozen academic articles, essays, and reviews, as well as over forty short stories and humor pieces in places like the Boston Globe, Spy, Mental Floss, Salon, Spy, and McSweeney's. His website is www.jaywex.com, and he tweets @SCOTUSHUMOR.

“For anyone seeking a comprehensive account of environmental ethics, environmental law, and the role of religion.”——Library Journal

“Witty and engaging, this book simultaneously celebrates and challenges spiritual traditions.”——Kirkus Reviews

“Highly entertaining and eye-opening.”——Publishers Weekly

“If you’ve ever wondered where fronds for Palm Sunday came from or what to do if you find an expired bald eagle, your questions will be answered in this illuminating book.”——Booklist