Stewardship of God’s Creation Jamie Morgan B4 Christian Outreach

Definition The protection of the Earth and God’s creatures on it. “Catholic tradition insists that we show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. The goods of the earth are gifts from God, intended for the benefit of all. We humans are not the ultimate owners of these goods, but rather, the temporary stewards. We are entrusted with the responsibility of caring for these gifts and preserving them for future generations.” The protection of the Earth and God’s creatures on it. The moral responsibility to care for the environment in a way to sustain it.

Real Life Examples: “A Path to Sustainable Energy by 2030” In 2009, Vice President Al Gore wanted to repower America with 100% carbon-free electricity within 10 years. (Wind, Water, and Solar Resources) In 2009, Stanford University did a study and ranked energy according to their impacts on global warming, pollution, water supply, land use, wildlife, and other concerns. The best options were: wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, and hydroelectric power. Worst options were: nuclear power, coal with carbon capture and ethanol, oil, and natural gas. Stanford found that battery- electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles recharged by wind, water, and solar options would eliminate pollution from the transportation. This plan needs wind turbines, water machines, and solar installation.

Facts Ethanol creates air pollution that causes the same mortality level as when gasoline is burned. Nuclear power results up to 25 times more carbon emissions than wind energy. In 2009, the maximum power consumed world wind was 12.5 trillion watts. By 2030, the world will require approximately 16.9 trillion watts.

Outcome: PRO According to Catholic Social Teaching, this plan would support Stewardship of God’s creation because it will reduce the influence of pollution and gases in the air when relying on natural alternatives such as wind, water, and solar energy.

Real life examples: Gulf of Mexico oil spill: Panel urges major reforms BP cut corners to save time and money instead of sealing the oil rig properly. The Macondo well, which is about a mile under the sea surface leaked millions of gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico because of this. A report about BP even said, "BP did not have adequate controls in place to ensure that key decisions in the months leading up to the blow-out were safe or sound from an engineering perspective."

Facts Eleven people lost their lives in the rig explosion An estimated 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil a day was leaking from the broken drill pipe. Families and businesses in coastal communities such as the fishing, seafood, and tourism industries were losing business. The Gulf coast is also home to wildlife refuges and marine sanctuaries, and the oil spill made it difficult to maintain this.

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Outcome: Con According to Catholic Social Teaching, this issue is against Stewardship of God’s creation because it destroyed the ocean and the wildlife in it. Drilling oil is a dangerous and contaminating job, which destroys the ocean little by little in order for Americans and other countries to obtain fuel. People were more concerned about cutting cost rather than performing jobs properly.

Quotes “There's so much pollution in the air now that if it weren't for our lungs there'd be no place to put it all.” ~Robert Orben “I think the environment should be put in the category of our national security. Defense of our resources is just as important as defense abroad. Otherwise what is there to defend? ~Robert Redford, Yosemite National Park dedication, 1985 “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." (Genesis 2:15)

Bibliography Jacobson, Mark Z. , and Mark A. Delucchi. "A Path to Sustainable Energy by 2030." Scientific American. Nov. 2009: Print. "Gulf of Mexico oil spill: Panel urges major reforms." BBC News 11 Jan. 2011: 1-2. Web. 21 Aug 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us- canada-12163104>.

Honor Code “I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment.” Jamie Morgan