Invest in Mother Earth

Human beings are strange creatures. They willingly waste money consuming known toxic and addictive
substances like alcohol, tobacco, or drugs, despite cautions and evidence of their harm, and then later spend good
money repairing the damage done to their systems. Not content with this, they attempt to influence others by
cajoling or mocking so as to persuade family or friends to consume these substances. Many humans end up as
addicts, controlled by the same substances they thought made them feel good; while many others fondly (and
foolishly) believe it will not happen to them.

However, with increased awareness, education and information available, some human beings are making radical
changes in their lives. Some are choosing to be vegetarian, vegan or fruitarian; others are opting for organic
foods or locally grown fresh produce; still others are making the choice to avoid toxic chemicals, addictive
substances, or preservatives. Armed with knowledge on the long term deleterious effects of toxic living on
health, family, and personal finances, they choose to invest in their future by making healthier options while still
young.

A Toxic Earth; A Scorched Sky

From the time human beings invented garbage, around the age when they were settling and developing agrarian
communities, till now, Earth has been perceived as more than just the good and generous Mother. She has also
been seen as the quintessential all-purpose free Grocery Store and the ultimate limitless Garbage Bin!

With greedy over-enthusiasm, Earth’s resources have been and continue to be plundered without thought of
sustainability or consequence. Billons of tonnes of toxic and other wastes are casually disposed of with
deleterious effects on Earth and other living creatures. Water bodies are rendered unfit for drinking, the air is
polluted, the soil is rendered sterile, forests are being rapidly depleted, deserts are spreading, animals are being
pushed into tinier habitats and towards extinction, fish stocks are being ravaged leading ocean life imbalances,
the polar icecaps are shrinking, sea levels are rising.

The sheer amount of carbon that has been dug or drilled from Earth and shoved into the atmosphere without
considering the life-sustaining geological processes that sequestered that carbon to provide a breathable
atmosphere has caused atmospheric and surface temperatures to rise at an unprecedented rate, with effects on
water availability, weather patterns, soil fertility, animal and plant life, forest fires, and so much more. There is
no indication that human obsession with carbon-based fuels and products is going to decrease substantially soon!

We crossed the tipping point of 350ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere years ago and are now in the range of 419-
422ppm, well past the point of no return even with the most severe carbon-reduction measures proposed, all of
which have been rejected be governments and industries

A Different Investment
Whether we can turn the situation around depends to large extent on governments and industry heads who place
economic growth and profit about environmental health. So we do face an uphill battle in the attempt to save
Earth from a human-contrived environmental disaster. Make no mistake: Earth will survive the worst we throw
at her. The question is: Will we?

There are at least three prongs in the attempt to slow down or even reverse the gross environmental destruction
underway: governmental and industrial policies to invest in green practices and sustainability; corporate
investment in industries that recycle and reuse materials to reduce mining and pollution; individual investment in
lifestyle changes.

The first depends on political and economic common sense, which is surprisingly lacking across the world.
While token pronouncements and actions are made, much more needs to be done to ensure green development
and environmental protection are national and global priorities. Advocacy plays an important role here.

The second is slowly growing across the world. Some countries having amazing recycling programmes that
almost eliminate waste and dumping in landfills. India is progressing very slowly in this field, even though it has
a huge potential for recycling glass, plastic, paper, metals, electronic waste, rare earths, etc.

The third is where each of us can do our bit!

Strong Choices

Population control is one of the choices presented to us since a burgeoning human race is wreaking havoc on
Earth. Every additional human being comes with its own carbon and ecological footprints and, with the rise in
living standards, extracts more per capita from Earth’s limited resources. Merely providing food to 7.8 billion
strong human population is an ecological nightmare! Add to that infrastructures like housing, roads, transport,
educational institutions, industries, water supply, electricity generation, and we have a full-blown ecological
horror movie!

To the extent that we recognize our carbon and ecological footprints and do as much as we can reduce them,
change will take place. If we lead by example in living simple lives, eliminating unnecessary plastic from our
homes, curbing wastage of water, fuel, and electricity, we inspire others. If we show that we can eat local
produce, limit our clothes and shoes, reduce food wastage, we can use our voice effectively.

Deciding not to purchase a personal vehicle, refusing to buy a new phone every time a new model comes out,
standing against the prevalent disposable culture, not seeking to purchase luxury apartments, are strong choices
that we can make. There are stronger ones yet to be made!

The question again is: Will we?

- Suren Abreu,
Archdiocese of Bombay.
(Ref: Prophetic Voice (CPCI Bulletin), Vol.13/No.5, May 2022, pages 8-10.)

Integral Human Development as Christian Mission

- Dr. Reginald Alva, S.V.D.

3. Development with Ecological Solidarity

Human being is a part of the vast eco-system. 1 Christians believe that God created this world and entrusted
humans to take care of it. Unfortunately, some Christians interpreted the biblical accounts of creation as a license
to exploit nature for their benefit. Pope Francis rejects such a narrow anthropocentric interpretation of the
biblical accounts of creation. In his encyclical Laudato Si’, he stressed the need for solidarity with nature as the
path ahead for genuine development of all.

Humans have a great responsibility to preserve the ecosystems in which they live as any damage to eco-system
can bring immense harm and irreparable loss to the entire world. For instance, deforestation and industrialization
can increase the volume of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and increase air pollution. The rise in air pollution
can cause severe respiratory ailments to both humans and other living beings. Another ill-effect of the increasing
levels of carbon dioxide could be global warming and the rose in sea level. Rise in sea level would submerge
lowlands and make many people homeless. This would trigger a great human tragedy as people would be forced
to leave their homeland and seek shelter in other places. Hence it is necessary to take urgent and appropriate
steps to stop environmental degradation and the damage to the ecosystems.

Economic advancement cannot be the only criterion for human development. Human development depends on
multiple factors. It is closely related to the well-being of nature, in which humans live. Political leaders,
scientists and policymakers need to frame policies and laws, which support economic activities without
damaging the environment.2 For this purpose, it is essential to use technology, which is clean and sustainable.
Political leaders need to invest in technologies, which can deliver clean energy. Further this technology needs to
be shared with all the nations as all are interrelated. If a nation possesses and uses the latest technology to
acquire clean energy, but it does not share it with other nations, then it would not help in the reduction of the
global environmental pollution. No nation can insulate itself from the ill-effects of environmental degradation as
all are in the same boat and all are interrelated.

1
Cf. Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, Joseph Alcamo et al., Ecosystems & Human Well-Being: A Framework for Assessment
(Washington: Island Press, 2003), 1-25.
2
Cf. Michael E. Kraft & Norman J. Vig, “U.S. Environmental Policy Achievements & New Directions,” in Environmental Policy:
New Directions for the Twenty-First Century, 10th ed., eds. Norman J. Vig & Michael E. Kraft (Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications,
2019), 20-126.
In order to have solidarity with nature, humans need to make changes in their lifestyle. 3 They need to say ‘no’ to
a throwaway culture, which promotes unbridled consumerism. This would need both conversion of heart and
awareness of environmental degradation. For instance, the use of non-recyclable polythene carry bags is
convenient for humans; however this causes immense damage to the ecosystems. When animals, birds or gulp
down such hazardous waste material, it can threaten their lives and disturb the entire ecosystem. Any damage to
the ecosystem would have repercussion on human life. Pope Francis states that humans are part of nature and
they need to co-exist with other creatures. He writes:

Human beings too are creatures of the world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with
unique dignity. So, we cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental
deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture. 4

The Catholic Church’s social teachings call for a prudent and restrained use of biotechnology. According to the
Catholic social teaching, “Human interventions that damage living beings or the natural environment deserve
condemnation, while those that improve them are praiseworthy.” 5 Biotechnology has the potential to benefit life
as well as to destroy it. For instance, stem cell therapy could be used to treat or cure harmful diseases. However,
genome editing of an embryo of a species could have serious consequence for all the future generations of that
species. Scientists need to consider these underlying dangers in the use of biotechnology. They need to adhere to
the international ethical guidelines while engaging into such research. Moreover, the international community
needs to be vigilant to stop the manufacture of bio-weapons. Thus humans need to have a strong solidarity with
nature to respect and promote life on earth

Conclusion

The Catholic Church’s social teachings since Second Vatican Council have consistently promoted the integral
development of the whole person and every person. Even though the Catholic Church is primarily a spiritual
entity, it does not shy away from issues, which are related to life and common good. It promotes the dignity of
human life, human rights and respect for all life. It calls on all the people of good will to create an atmosphere,
which is conducive for the development of the weakest and marginalized. Further, it also appeals to all to look
upon the environment as a gift of God and care for it. Thus the Catholic Church’s concept of the integral human
development could serve as an important guide to the entire humanity to come together as a family to improve
the quality of life on earth.

(Ref: Vidyajyoti Journal of Theological Reflection, Volume 86 / No. 5, May 2022, pages 23-25.)

3
Cf. Kevin J. O’Brien, An Ethics of Biodiversity: Christianity, Ecology & the Variety of Life (Washington D.C.: Georgetown
University, 2010), 131-149.
4
Pope Francis, Encyclical Laudato Si’, no. 43
5
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, no. 473.