Introduction
Currently in society. we have a growing concern that wold peace is being threatened by regional conflicts, continued injustices, the arms of race and especially a lack of care for the environment.
People are now realising that we can't continue to use the earth's products as we have in the past. Politicians and the public are now coming to realise that we have created a problem and now there are scientists all over the world studying the causes. We need to support and develop the new programs emerging such as the Ecological Awareness.
The ecological question is related to many of our ethical values. The problems we face to day require an answer based on the morals of the world. These values are based on religious views from the bible and relate even to those who don't share the same beliefs so even those who don't follow the religious ideas, can find a common ground in the following reflection.
People are now realising that we can't continue to use the earth's products as we have in the past. Politicians and the public are now coming to realise that we have created a problem and now there are scientists all over the world studying the causes. We need to support and develop the new programs emerging such as the Ecological Awareness.
The ecological question is related to many of our ethical values. The problems we face to day require an answer based on the morals of the world. These values are based on religious views from the bible and relate even to those who don't share the same beliefs so even those who don't follow the religious ideas, can find a common ground in the following reflection.
"And God Saw That It Was Good"
"And God saw it was good"- this quote is repeated throughout The Book Of Genesis, where we find God's first self-revelation to humanity (Gen 1-3). After creating the world, God created man and woman, and at this point his saying changed to "And God saw everything he had made, and behold, IT WAS VERY GOOD" (Gen 1:31). God trusted the humans to be responsible for his whole creation and only then could he rest "from all his work" (Gen 2:3).
Adam and Eve's part in God's plan established a fixed relationship between mankind and the rest of creation. Instead of sharing wisdom and love to all of creation, they destroyed the harmony by going against God's plan by choosing to sin. This resulted in the earth's "rebellion" against him (cf. Gen 3:17-19; 4:12).
Christians believe that the Death and Resurrection of Christ created peace and united all things in him and in the Earth.
These relations to the bible help us to comprehend the more successful connection between human life and the whole of creation.
When man ignores the Creator's plan, he elicits a disruption which creates unavoidable outcomes for the rest of the world. If man is not in harmony with God, then it makes it impossible for the rest of the contents of earth and earth itself, to be at harmony. It creates a chain of unrest-fullness.
Even those who don't believe in God agree that the earth seems to be suffering in some way. The increasing damage to the earth is becoming noticeable to all of us.
These difficulties on earth relate to the behaviour of people who show great disregard for the silent demands that regulate nature itself. People are asking if it is possible to undo the damage that has already occurred. A solution is obviously out of the question. A more adequate solution is to provide a more appropriate solution involving a more balanced use of the earth's resources. We must begin at the origin of the issue and face the crisis we have created.
Adam and Eve's part in God's plan established a fixed relationship between mankind and the rest of creation. Instead of sharing wisdom and love to all of creation, they destroyed the harmony by going against God's plan by choosing to sin. This resulted in the earth's "rebellion" against him (cf. Gen 3:17-19; 4:12).
Christians believe that the Death and Resurrection of Christ created peace and united all things in him and in the Earth.
These relations to the bible help us to comprehend the more successful connection between human life and the whole of creation.
When man ignores the Creator's plan, he elicits a disruption which creates unavoidable outcomes for the rest of the world. If man is not in harmony with God, then it makes it impossible for the rest of the contents of earth and earth itself, to be at harmony. It creates a chain of unrest-fullness.
Even those who don't believe in God agree that the earth seems to be suffering in some way. The increasing damage to the earth is becoming noticeable to all of us.
These difficulties on earth relate to the behaviour of people who show great disregard for the silent demands that regulate nature itself. People are asking if it is possible to undo the damage that has already occurred. A solution is obviously out of the question. A more adequate solution is to provide a more appropriate solution involving a more balanced use of the earth's resources. We must begin at the origin of the issue and face the crisis we have created.
The Ecological Crisis: A Moral Problem
The biggest element of this crisis is the discoveries in science and technology. any of the recent advances have brought wonderful advances for society and they clearly are helping some of our issues but we have later realised that they also have detrimental long-term effects, especially in relation to industry and agriculture. This has woken us up to the fact that we can't interfere in one area of the ecosystem without creating a chain reaction that is unerasable.
Industrial growth has now resulted in the "greenhouse effect" and the progressive reduction of our ozone layer reaching a point of no return. The harm to our ecosystem is being caused by industrial waste, burning of fossil fuels, unrestricted deforestation and the use of particular herbicides and propellants. Damage to health and future submersion of low-lying lands and islands, are among the results from the atmospheric and meteorological adjustments.
In some cases, the damage is undoable but in many other cases, we still have the opportunity to halt it before it gets too bad. For this to be accomplished, however, everyone needs to do their part. That means individuals, families, states - EVERYONE, because the responsibility is shared.
The most severe moral implication that is resulting in ecological destruction is disrespect for life. This particular undertone is present in many pollution situations. The ecological balance has been upset because of us. The complexity of this issue is obvious to every
Industrial growth has now resulted in the "greenhouse effect" and the progressive reduction of our ozone layer reaching a point of no return. The harm to our ecosystem is being caused by industrial waste, burning of fossil fuels, unrestricted deforestation and the use of particular herbicides and propellants. Damage to health and future submersion of low-lying lands and islands, are among the results from the atmospheric and meteorological adjustments.
In some cases, the damage is undoable but in many other cases, we still have the opportunity to halt it before it gets too bad. For this to be accomplished, however, everyone needs to do their part. That means individuals, families, states - EVERYONE, because the responsibility is shared.
The most severe moral implication that is resulting in ecological destruction is disrespect for life. This particular undertone is present in many pollution situations. The ecological balance has been upset because of us. The complexity of this issue is obvious to every
In Search Of A Solution
Philosophy refers to a peaceful world and universe and we must respect this. We are told that the benefits of earth are to be shared amongst all creatures yet there are a minority of people who excessively use the earth's products while there are many others out there living in horrible conditions. The privileged people take their opportunities for granted and take more than what is necessary.
We need to approach this problem on an international level for us to successfully save the goods on earth. Many of our approaches are based on an national level but we need to go even further than that. Some of our ideas have been promising and successful on a small scale, but are not adequate for the whole world.
This is a joint assignment and the responsibility belongs to all of us. Each town and each state and each country needs to do their part be reducing waste and recycling instead, carefully managing the environment and reintroducing what we have taken away.
We need to approach this problem on an international level for us to successfully save the goods on earth. Many of our approaches are based on an national level but we need to go even further than that. Some of our ideas have been promising and successful on a small scale, but are not adequate for the whole world.
This is a joint assignment and the responsibility belongs to all of us. Each town and each state and each country needs to do their part be reducing waste and recycling instead, carefully managing the environment and reintroducing what we have taken away.
The Urgent Need For A New Solidarity
We have an urgent need for a new solidarity. This is needed even more in todays society with the developing nations. Countries need to share responsibility and promote a healthy environment.
We need to first apply these plans to our own states before we promote things on a world level and we need to take action fast because while we are sitting here contemplating, the earth's resources are being destroyed.
No organisation is big enough to solve the global problems we face. This is something we all need to take on together, the whole of society. We need the global leaders to help in this ordeal and we need all of them to contribute and promote proper use of the earth's goods. This also presents us with more opportunities to strengthen our relations with other countries and cooperate.
To find the correct ecological balance, we must also directly address poverty. For example, rural poverty leads to exhaustion of soil and accelerated deforestation. Poverty is a big contributor to ecological crisis' and we need to solve the problem from the things that are fuelling it. This will require a lot of courage and will be a big change for us but it will be for the better.
We also need to put a stop to war. We have made changes to our environment purely for hostile purposes and we need to put a stop to it.
Making changes to nature in the way that we are, can be quite costly in the long term. Despite our international attempts to create world peace and eliminate welfare, we are continuing to build these destructive weapons.
Whenever we bring any sort of welfare to the earth, it has a costly effect on the environment, even if it is only on a local basis. The survivors of conflict are then required to live in an unpleasant environment, which can create social unrest.
For the human race to make a positive impact on the environment and find a solution, we need to reflect on our lifestyle. While we are happy to consume a lot of the earth's resources and destroy the remaining resources, we are unaware of the damage we are doing. The core of the issue, as stated earlier, is in man's moral crisis. If we lack interest in our quality of life, we will also struggle to show concern for the environment. We must all experience discipline, moderation, simplicity and sacrifice for us to make a difference. We need to eliminate our careless habits and rather, adopt responsible ones.
We urgently need to educate the human race about the environment and the consequences of not taking responsibility. This means we need a genuine conversion in our ways.
Every person on the face of the earth has a part in this education. We need to teach people from the age of just a child.
We cannot overlook the aesthetic value of creation. Our connection with the earth has amazing powers. The Bible talks of the beauty of the earth in many places and we need to restore this beauty. Even cities will have their own beauty despite the fact that the are mostly man made. Ecological development requires good urban planning which can easily be achieved.
We need to first apply these plans to our own states before we promote things on a world level and we need to take action fast because while we are sitting here contemplating, the earth's resources are being destroyed.
No organisation is big enough to solve the global problems we face. This is something we all need to take on together, the whole of society. We need the global leaders to help in this ordeal and we need all of them to contribute and promote proper use of the earth's goods. This also presents us with more opportunities to strengthen our relations with other countries and cooperate.
To find the correct ecological balance, we must also directly address poverty. For example, rural poverty leads to exhaustion of soil and accelerated deforestation. Poverty is a big contributor to ecological crisis' and we need to solve the problem from the things that are fuelling it. This will require a lot of courage and will be a big change for us but it will be for the better.
We also need to put a stop to war. We have made changes to our environment purely for hostile purposes and we need to put a stop to it.
Making changes to nature in the way that we are, can be quite costly in the long term. Despite our international attempts to create world peace and eliminate welfare, we are continuing to build these destructive weapons.
Whenever we bring any sort of welfare to the earth, it has a costly effect on the environment, even if it is only on a local basis. The survivors of conflict are then required to live in an unpleasant environment, which can create social unrest.
For the human race to make a positive impact on the environment and find a solution, we need to reflect on our lifestyle. While we are happy to consume a lot of the earth's resources and destroy the remaining resources, we are unaware of the damage we are doing. The core of the issue, as stated earlier, is in man's moral crisis. If we lack interest in our quality of life, we will also struggle to show concern for the environment. We must all experience discipline, moderation, simplicity and sacrifice for us to make a difference. We need to eliminate our careless habits and rather, adopt responsible ones.
We urgently need to educate the human race about the environment and the consequences of not taking responsibility. This means we need a genuine conversion in our ways.
Every person on the face of the earth has a part in this education. We need to teach people from the age of just a child.
We cannot overlook the aesthetic value of creation. Our connection with the earth has amazing powers. The Bible talks of the beauty of the earth in many places and we need to restore this beauty. Even cities will have their own beauty despite the fact that the are mostly man made. Ecological development requires good urban planning which can easily be achieved.
The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility
The ecological crisis has gotten so out of proportion to the point where it is now the responsibility of everyone. There are various aspects of this issue that are causing great concern. In helping the earth we also make contributions to the end of world warfare. Everyone, whether they have religious beliefs or not, should know their responsibility in this. We must believe in the creators plan.
We should consider Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, an inspiration in our conversion.
We should consider Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology, an inspiration in our conversion.