Environmental concerns have a global scope, yet different cultural traditions, philosophical cultures, and conditions of life influence the way we understand experience and environment. A similar understanding of the central ideas is needed for cooperative action on environmental issues to be effective. The first part of this essay is conceptual and proposes a common understanding of ‘environment,’ ‘ecology,’ and ‘aesthetics.’ The second part develops the aesthetic side of the matter by identifying some representative cultural patterns of sensibility. It considers whether and how these patterns may be reconciled in order to enhance the effectiveness of our responses to environmental issues.