Long time ago, way long time ago in the past, the 'environment' was everything connected with human existence. In most cultures, 'gods' were indeed natural phenomena - those on which humans depended on - the sun, rain, rivers, etc. and those they could not explain - volcanos etc.

There are whole mountain systems that have been designated as sacred - as abodes of gods - in recognition of its critical ecosystems and as a source of water.

In India's Karnataka State, many mountains are called 'devara betta' or god's mountains. Japan too designates mountains as sacred, with these mountains sometimes being the only green patches in a sea of concrete and glass!