From Domination to Stewardship
Back in 2011, when I first began writing Dominion Over All—the eco-fantasy novel that launched the Zak Bates Eco-Adventure series—I opened with two quotes that have stayed with me ever since:
“God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” — Genesis 1:26
That then begged this question:
“But what does ‘dominion’ really mean? It is traditionally interpreted as ‘to subdue’ or ‘to rule over.’ When taken to an extreme, it can include oppression and exploitation. However, an exploited planet Earth does not leave humanity richer. Perhaps there is a deeper, more sustainable aspect of dominion that includes a sense of service to one’s fellow creatures and even a compulsion to protect those who cannot protect themselves.” — The Christian Science Monitor
Now, whether or not you come from a Christian background, the idea of “dominion” as permission to dominate the Earth has been baked into many modern cultures and systems. But what if that interpretation was never the original intention?
The Hebrew word translated as “dominion” in Genesis 1:26 is רָדָה (radah). While often rendered as “rule over,” its usage in scripture is layered. In some passages, radah refers to harsh rule, but in others—like Psalm 72—it reflects compassionate leadership and protective care.
Even more revealing, Genesis 2:15 uses two different Hebrew words—abad and shamar—to describe the human role in Eden: “to work [serve] it and to keep [protect] it.”
So from the very beginning, it seems our role wasn’t to control or exploit the Earth, but to care for it with reverence. To be stewards—not masters.
And that brings us to the Fourth Great Truth.
GT#4: Humanity as Stewards, Not Masters
The Fourth Great Truth tells us that our purpose on Earth is not to dominate nature but to care for it. We are not its overlords—we are its guardians. True leadership, true greatness, is about serving life, not exploiting it.
This directly challenges one of the Four Great Untruths: the myth that “Technology Will Save Us.” Technology is a tool—but it is how we use it, and to what end, that defines its value.
All around the world, we are witnessing a quiet revolution:
The global rewilding movement is bringing life back to landscapes—reintroducing native species, restoring watersheds, and creating wildlife corridors that reconnect fragmented habitats. These efforts support both biodiversity and climate resilience. Learn more about rewilding here.
Regenerative farmers are learning to grow food in ways that heal the land—enriching soil, protecting pollinators, increasing biodiversity, and even sequestering carbon. Their practices are a hopeful alternative to the extractive model of industrial agriculture. Explore regenerative farming practices.
Communities are rising to protect rivers, plant forests, and bring back traditional knowledge in service of renewal. From citizen-led river cleanups to forest guardianship programs led by Indigenous groups, people are rediscovering their place in nature’s web. See stories of grassroots restoration.
And in the realm of imagination, in Dominion Over All, young Zak Bates and his wise, flying dog companion Sampson, alongside the last living magic cat Ra-Kit, learn that being a leader isn’t about controlling others. It’s about protecting what matters—especially those who cannot protect themselves. Their adventures take them deep into the heart of ecosystems in peril, where their courage and humility allow them to serve as bridges between human and animal worlds. They don’t save the world by force. They help it heal through partnership, listening, and love.
And that’s what this truth calls us to now. Not to save the world. But to help it thrive.
What if being a hero wasn’t about saving the world—but about helping it thrive?
That’s a question I hope every reader will carry with them.
Living the Great Truths
Stewardship is not a lofty ideal. It is a daily practice—a way of walking through the world with awareness, humility, and care.
And it starts close to home.
Here are a few small steps we can take:
Start a compost pile or community garden.
Support local regenerative farmers who grow food in ways that restore the Earth.
Choose purchases that give back more than they take—businesses that support reforestation, fair trade, or ocean cleanup.
Spend time with young people outdoors. Teach them how to care, how to listen to the land, how to feel part of the great web of life.
The Ripple Effect: Even the smallest actions have power. One school that plants pollinator gardens. One family that turns their lawn into habitat. One teenager who organizes a clothing swap instead of buying fast fashion.
It matters. You matter.
The Green Family Weaves It Together
One sunny Saturday in early spring, the Green family gathered in their backyard, gloves on and shovels in hand. Their lawn had once been just grass—but this year, Sarah and Daniel decided it was time for something more. Together with their neighbors, they were building a shared garden. Each raised bed, carefully filled with compost and seedlings, represented a piece of their new story: sufficiency, reciprocity, care.
While her parents worked the soil, Emma knelt beside a patch of wildflowers. She was tracking bees for a school project, marveling at how their tiny wings helped nourish entire ecosystems. “They’re like Earth’s little messengers,” she told her mom. “And we’re their helpers, right?”
Lucas, now sixteen, had just returned from the local thrift store where he’d set up a clothing swap with friends. “It’s kind of wild,” he said. “Turns out you don’t need to buy new stuff to feel good about how you look.”
Later that evening, Nancy and Robert sat on the porch swing, watching their grandchildren play in the dusk. “I think this is what stewardship really means,” Robert said softly. “Not big speeches. Just… how we live, day to day.”
Nancy nodded. “And what we choose to pass on.”
Reflection and Inspiration
Which of these Great Truths resonates most with you? How might you start living it today?
Choose one and begin. Keep a journal. Start a conversation. Or join an Earth Listening Circle in your community.
Because the truth is, you don’t have to save the world. You just have to care for your corner of it.
And that, dear Eco-Guardian, is enough to change everything.
Brad
P. S.
If you are a lover of animals or have a 10-16 year old boy or girl who loves animals and to read, I heartily recommend my own book, Dominion Over All which was inspired by Severn Cullis-Suzuki. In 1992, then just twelve years old, Severn gave a speech at the UN with the same sense of urgency as Greta's speech in 2019.
P.S.S. A Powerful Step You Can Take Today
One of the simplest, most powerful ways to reduce your carbon footprint—and give Mother Earth a fighting chance to recover—is to embrace a more plant-rich diet.
Food production accounts for up to a third of planet-heating emissions. But the good news? Every bite we take is an opportunity to choose differently.
You don’t have to go vegan overnight. Just consider these steps:
Cut back on beef: Replacing even half of your beef intake with plant proteins can slash your dietary emissions by 20%.
Try plant-based dairy: Swapping to soy or almond milk can reduce emissions by 8%.
Shift toward a vegetarian or vegan diet: These options reduce your food-related emissions by 48–69%.
It’s not about perfection. It’s about intention. Every small shift matters.
And when you do it with love—for your health, your family, and your home planet—it becomes more than a diet.
It becomes an act of stewardship.
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