After reading Starr's text and the essays in Merchant's book, comment on the environmental impact of the Gold Rush. Are there any history lessons in the Gold Rush story for current California resident

After reading Starr's text and the essays in Merchant's book, comment on the environmental impact of the Gold Rush. Are there any history lessons in the Gold Rush story for current California residents? 

One issue that occurs to me as I read these texts is trying to understand the worldview of the miners and others involved, which took little regard for the environment.  What might aChristian response to environmental destruction entail?

Your blog must be a minimum 300 words in length