I don't even think he was a closet environmentalist. It was definitely one of the principal themes of LOTR.
I think there are also the things that people were willing to give up but didn't have to. For all characters this would involve their life. Also, Gimli and Legolas certainly gave up the chance to go home to help fight for their own lands and peoples. We don't get to hear much about it but it has to have been hard. Of course in the end it all came out right, but they were willing to sacrifice the parts they could have played in helping (and certainly in giving warning).
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“Sylphs of the forest,” I whispered. “Spirits of oak, beech and ash. Dryads of Rowan and hazel, hear us. You who have guided and guarded our every footstep, you who have sheltered our growth, we honour you."
the Forbidden Link
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