Final answer:
Animism attributes spiritual significance to natural entities and phenomena, linking humans to their environment, guiding environmental conservation and respect, and shaping the belief in the interconnectedness of all aspects of the natural world.
Step-by-step explanation:
Animism is a belief system that incorporates the physical environment by attributing spiritual or supernatural qualities to all aspects of the natural world, including plants, animals, inanimate objects, and natural phenomena such as weather. This religious perspective was described by British anthropologist Sir Edward Burnett Tylor as the earliest form of religious practice in human societies, evolving over time as societies became more complex. The animist view holds that by understanding and interpreting the desires of these spirits, individuals can influence their environment, thus highlighting the interconnectedness between humans and the natural world. As a result, animism often leads to a value system that emphasizes environmental conservation and protection, integrating environmental knowledge with cultural values, and may inform sustainable living practices.