The environment not only provides the people of a nation the resources they need but It also serves as the basic aesthetic value of the nation itself. The preservation of the same can serve to create a balanced system, as well as make other people idolize it.

I think the fact that the environment gets destroyed by corporations and people's apathy towards it has help make people cynical and simply accept the abuses of powerful people. It's an example of how consumerism has been used to destroy people's value system. Even if it takes facing off against the mighty the nation has to be defended as a priority.