Environmental Pollution, Conservation & the response of Christianity The Natural World Environmental Pollution, Conservation & the response of Christianity

What is pollution? Changes in modern ways of living have created new, much greater threats to the ecology of the world as a whole, e.g. emissions of certain gases have led to damage to the ozone layer. Until relatively recently, pollution was a local problem, e.g. lack of proper sanitation or a polluted local water supply. Pollution is any damage done to the environment that is caused by any disposal of waste and which lowers the quality of life. The damage may be short-term, e.g. the mess caused by dumping scrap metal and rubbish. Something can be done to put things right if the damage is short term. There can be long-term damage, which it is difficult or impossible to correct. An example would be the destruction of a rainforest.

Common areas of pollution Destruction of rainforests: The rainforest are disappearing at a rate of about 100 acres per minute. If this continues they will disappear over the next 50 years. It is important to protect them because they provide oxygen through photosynthesis & are immensely rich in animal life. They also provide many of the plants that are used in the production of medicines. Acid rain: The sulphur oxides produced in Britain’s power stations fall as acid rain on the forests of Germany and kill the trees. In Sweden, acid rain poisons the lakes, thousands of which now have no fish. Nuclear pollution: The nuclear power industry produces large quantities of radioactive waste, which is v. difficult to dispose of. Some waste is dumped at sea. It ill remain radioactive for millions of years & future generations will have to deal with it.

Common areas of pollution

Christianity & the natural world It is believed that God created the universe & gave the human race special powers & special responsibilities Many passages from the Bible stress the wonder of creation. Note also, Psalm 19:1-10 & Job 38-39 Then God said, ‘Let us make them in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.’ (Genesis 1:26) ‘The world & all that is in it belongs to the Lord.’ (Ps. 24:1) Partnership - Christians believe that people are partners in creation not lords of creation. The world is filled with purpose & meaning, and it reflects God’s goodness. Christianity & the natural world When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet. Psalm 83,4,6 Christians believe that the world and its resources must be used in a responsible way because they believe that they are responsible to God for the use they make of the universe. The world, indeed the whole universe, is God’s. God not only made everything; he is at all timed concerned with the universe and every living creature in it. The Earth is entrusted to each generation in turn. Each generation has authority from God to use the Earth - but not to abuse it. They have a responsibility to other species & to future generations. Christians are stewards. They believe they have been given their possession to use for the good of themselves, their families & the whole community, present & future.

Christianity & the natural world ‘O most high, almighty & good Lord God, To you be praise, glory, honour & blessing. Praise to you, my Lord, for all your creatures, Especially for Brother Sun Who brings us the day & the light: How beautiful he is, and with what splendour he shines. Praise to you, my Lord, for sister Moon, & for the stars so bright in the heavens. Praise to you, my Lord, for Sister Water, so precious, so clean & so humble. Praise to you, my Lord, for Sister Earth, who sustains us & delights us with her many fruits & her coloured flowers & the grass. Praise to you, my Lord, for Sister Death, who will come to embrace each one of us. Francis of Assisi, The Canticle of the Sun

Conservation Governments: Individuals: Jo’burg World Summit, 2002 The growth in the world’s population should be controlled, so that there is not too much demand upon the world’s limited resources. Renewable resources should be used in such a way that they are not depleted. For instance, forests should be managed to preserve not only the long-term supply of trees but also the wildlife whose habitat the forest is. Non-renewable resources, such as fossil fuels (e.g. coal, oil) and metals should be used carefully, and should be recycled whenever possible Every attempt should be made to use such resources as the power of the sun, the wind and the sea. Rio Earth Summit, 1992 Conservation Jo’burg World Summit, 2002 Governments: Individuals: Setting up green belt areas & preserving forests, especially the tropical rainforests; Enforcing strict anti-pollution laws; Supporting international agreements to conserve wildlife, especially creatures that migrate; Encouraging control of the growth in population; Sharing in the task of protecting water supplies, especially with regard to international rivers - e.g. Amazon & Nile. Buying & using products that, even in the smallest ways, make less use of non-renewable resources, or which avoid pollution (green products); Returning for recycling reusable materials such as glass, metal and plastic; Supporting charities that are committed to responsible use of resources; Writing letters to politicians, leaders of key industries and others with influence.