How DO You Explain The Widespread Sense Of Panic And Doom Amidst Our Relative Peace And Prosperity?

Needless to say, the religious part of the explanation doesn't resonate with me...but it's a great question.
Also: great use of Tolkien quote.
At: Wretchard The Cat; via: Instapundit.

Green apocalypticism is just one of the many analogs of religion on the contemporary progressive left. Others include original sin (whiteness), the allure of dietary restrictions, hatred of apostates, and moral and ordinary ad baculums to coerce belief and conformity. Irrationalism/misology, however, is the most significant similarity.