ECOLOGICAL CRISIS AND CHRISTIAN RESPONSE part II

TABLE OF CONTENTS




ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS…………………………………………………………………iii

ABBREVIATIONS viii

GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1

Chapter I

THE ECOLOGICAL IMBALANCE: A SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS 3

1.1 THE BASICS 3

1.1.1 Etymology and Definition 3

1.1.2 The History of the Study of the Issue 3

1.2 THE SIGNS AND SIGNALS 4

1.2.1 Diminishing Biodiversity 4

1.2.2 Land Degradation 5

1.2.3 Depletion of Energy Resources/Energy Crisis 6

1.2.4 Ozone Depletion 7

1.2.5 Climate Change 8

1.2.6 Droughts 8

1.2.7 Acid Rain 9

1.2.8 Melting Glaciers and Rise of Sea Water Level 9

1.2.9 Natural Disasters 10

1.3 THE THREATS SEEN 10

1.3.1 Breeding of Diseases and Health Risks 10

1.3.2 Global Food Crisis 11

1.3.3 Crisis of Water 11

1.3.4 Depletion of Oxygen to Support Life System 12

1.4 THE CAUSES 12

1.4.1 Diminishing Humanity/The Exploitative Understanding 13

1.4.2 Excessive Use of Natural Resources 13

1.4.3 Pollution of Soil, Water and Atmosphere 14

1.4.4 Global Warming: 16

1.4.5 Deforestation 17

1.4.6 The Toxic Waste 18

1.4.7 Nuclear Radiation and Nuclear Wastes: 19

1.4.8 Globalization 19

1.4.9 Genetic Manipulation 20

1.4.10 Population Explosion, Poverty or Unequal Distribution 20

1.4.11 The War Machines 21

Chapter II

THE CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE 23

2.1 BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES 23

2.1.1 OLD TESTAMENT 23

2.1.1.1 The Pentateuch 23

2.1.1.1.1 Creation from Nothing 23

2.1.1.1.2 The Goodness of Nature and the Divine Blessing 24

2.1.1.1.3 The Status of Humankind 24

2.1.1.1.4 The Environmental Implications of Human Disobedience 25

2.1.1.1.5 Sovereignty of God 25

2.1.1.1.6 Earth Centeredness 26

2.1.1.2 The Other Books 26

2.1.1.2.1 The Lord’s is the Earth 26

2.1.1.2.2 Land is a Gracious Gift of God 26

2.1.1.2.3 The Inter-Relationship of Created Things 27

2.1.1.2.4 Nature is the Teacher 27

2.1.2 NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVES 28

2.1.2.1 Jesus’ Teaching in Synoptics 28

2.1.2.1.1 Agriculture - an Ecological Activity 29

2.1.2.1.2 Nature Sustains and Promotes Life 29

2.1.2.1.3 Nature Witness to the Rule of God 30

2.1.2.2 Pauline Understanding 30

2.1.2.2.1 The End of Creation (Romans 8:18-25) 30

2.1.2.2.2 Jesus in the Order of Creation (Colossians 1:15-20) 31

2.1.2.3 Johannine Understanding 32

2.1.2.3.1 Christ the Agent of Creation 32

2.1.2.3.2 The Author of the New Creation 32

2.2 NON-BIBLICAL 32

2.2.1 Magisterial Teaching 32

2.2.1.1 Pacem in Terris 32

2.2.1.2 Populorum Progressio 33

2.2.1.3 Sollicitudo Rei Socialis 33

2.2.1.4 Catechism of the Catholic Church 34

2.2.1.5 Centesimus Annus 35

2.2.1.6 Evangelium Vitae 35

2.2.2 The Green Saints 36

2.2.2.1 St. Benedict of Nursia in Italy 36

2.2.2.2 St. Bernard of Clairvaux 36

2.2.2.3 St Francis of Assisi 37

2.2.2.4 Pierre Teilhard De Chardin (1881-1955) 38

Chapter III

THE CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS 39

3.1 COSMO-LOGIZING TO A CURE 39

3.1.1 A Correct Biblical View of Creation 39

3.1.2 Theology of Nature and Creation 39

3.1.3 Human Nature Relationship 40

3.1.4 Human and the Stewardship 40

3.1.5 Humans and the Integrity of Creation 40

3.1.6. The Concept of Ecological Sin, and Change of Way 40

3.1.7 Cosmic Justice 41

3.1.8 Humans as Co-Creators with God 41

3.1.9 The Immanent Presence of God 41

3.1.10 Theology of the Environment 42

3.1.11 Sacramentality of all Things 42

3.1.12 Beatitudes 42

3.2 THE EMERGING TRENDS 42

3.2.1 Eco-Spirituality 42

3.2.2 Social Ecology 43

3.2.3 Eco-Feminism 43

3.2.4 Eco-Justice 44

3.2.5 Deep Ecology 44

3.3 SOME ECOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS 44

3.3.1 A New Gospel of Nature 45

3.3.2 Attitudinal Change and Concreted Action 45

3.3.3 Responsibility and Ecology 45

3.3.4 Ecology and Common Good 46

3.3.5 Eco Theology – an Inter Religious Project 47

3.3.6 The World as a Single Cosmic Community 47

3.3.7 Asceticism 47

Chapter IV

ECO-CRISIS: THE RESPONSES, REMEDIES, SOLUTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES 49

4.1 RESPONSES TO THE ECO-CRISIS 49

4.1.1 Awareness Programs 49

4.1.2 Use of Cleaner Technologies with Greater Efficiency 49

4.1.3 Wildlife Protection 50

4.1.4 Scientific and Financial Eco Sponsorship 50

4.1.5 Towards Rural Survival And Revival 50

4.1.6 Struggle and Movements 51

4.1.6.1 Protecting Forests 51

4.1.6.2 Resisting Destructive Development 52

4.1.6.3 Protecting Waters 52

4.2 REMEDIES AND SOLUTIONS 52

4.2.1 International Level 52

4.2.2 The Church Level 53

4.2.3 Community Level 53

4.2.4 Individually 54

4.2.4.1 Energy 54

4.2.4.2 Conveyance 54

4.2.4.3 Water Conservation 54

4.2.4.4 Waste Management 54

4.2.4.5 Purchase 54

4.3 ALTERNATIVE ENERGY RESOURCES IN RENEWABLE ENERGY 54

4.3.1 Solar Energy 55

4.3.2 Hydro Power 55

4.3.3 Wind Power 55

4.3.4 Geo Thermal 56

4.3.5 Bio Fuel 57

4.4 RAISING BASIC ISSUES 57

4.4.1 Energy Waste 57

4.4.2 The Question of Need 57

4.4.3 Ecological Implications 57

4.4.4 Promoting Sustainable Development 58

GENERAL CONCLUSION 59

BIBLIOGRAPHY 61

APPENDIX (1) PRAYERS 65

APPENDIX (2) LETTER 66

GLOSSARY 68

GENERAL CONCLUSION




Today ecology touches every sphere of human life and everyday seems to bring news of some new environmental deterioration. Thus, there is a growing realization that we need a change of standard in our relationship to nature and the earth, which in turn will bring about a transformation in relationships among human beings. To achieve these interrelated goals, we are called towards a new vision, attitude and values, which all the religions, despite their tainted history can provide especially by developing appropriate eco-theologies. The Christian churches claim to be pro-life in their attack on abortion, but a true pro-life stance would and must also address what is happening to life in every part of the world. This approach would enhance the church’s pro-life stand, because as Christians this is our vocation to celebrate and promote life in the face of the culture of death and violence.

“I am so much concerned about climate change because I don’t want our future generations to question us just as I am questioning the need of more concrete action on climate change today. The Himalayas are melting, polar bears are dying, two of every five people don’t have access to clean drinking water, Earth’s temperature is increasing, we are losing the untapped information and potential of plant species, Pacific’s water level has risen; is this what we are going to hand over to our future generations?” said the ninth grader and 13 year old from St Fidelis College, Lucknow, Yugratna Srivastav, speaking on behalf of the world’s three billion children and asking world leaders at the United Nations summit for urgent action on climate change. This truly speaks of the urgency that even children at very young age find to care about. Thus, if this care and concern about the ecology comes from the children, how much more it should affect us as leaders. Does this question concern us?

The environmental crisis is truly a crisis of human soul and the solution to this fact requires establishment of proper relationship with all of God’s creation both living and nonliving. We can have a lot of studies and documentation on each aspect of this crisis but we cannot solve the environmental problem if we fail to understand the root cause of the crisis. Thus after knowing the root of this crisis in truth and spirit, we must now respond to the call of the Lord “where are you?” (Gen. 3:9). The response of the Chief Seattle of the Dwamish Red Indian tribe is an inspiration for us, as he questioned the American President “What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts soon happens to man.” It proves that all things are connected and our life is not worth living without them. All things make our living here on earth beautiful. Therefore we must live in true harmony with them. This is the basis of all tribal way of life, who live without disturbing the ecology and other phenomenon of life surrounded in the midst of jungle. We need today that kind of spirituality.

Cosmos is theologically understood as the womb of God, and truly there exists the bond of relationship between God and nature. There is the seminal energy of God in nature. This is also the common wealth given by God, which unites us, the ecosystem. The mission of the kingdom in whole cosmos and in ecology particular calls for an action towards all. It means that when we are at the service of the kingdom of God, we care not only for humanity but also the whole of earth and universe that contains human beings. Thus, if I sweep earth I sweep the kingdom of God. Therefore we require to join our hands together for a better earth. The earth cries and we can try to wipe her tears through our lives, actions and attitudes. Let us remember that all the creatures are brothers and sisters of us, according to St. Francis of Assisi. The earth is our home let us not destroy our home.





























BIBLIOGRAPHY



1. ENCYCLOPEDIAS



Chhatwal, G.R., D.K. Pandey and K.K Nanda, eds., Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environment, Vol. I, New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 1990.



Chhatwal, G.R., D.K. Pandey and K.K Nanda, eds., Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Environment, Vol. III, New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 1990.



New Catholic Encyclopedia, 1981 edition, s.v. “St. Francis of Assisi.”



Tiwari, P. R., and Gurudeep Raj, eds., Encyclopaedia of Environmental Sciences, New Delhi: Anmol Publications, 1990.





2. CHURCH DOCUMENTS



Catechism of the Catholic Church, Bangalore: Theological Publications in India, 2002.



John XXIII, Encyclical Letter on the Peace on Earth Pacem in Terris, 11 April 1963, London: Catholic Truth Society, 1963.



John Paul II, Encyclical letter on the Social Concern Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, 30 December 1987, Bombay: St. Paul Publications, 1987.



John Paul II, Encyclical letter on the Hundredth year Centesimus Annus 1 May 1991, Bombay: St. Paul Publications, 1991.



John Paul II, Encyclical Letter on the Gospel of Life Evangelium Vitae, 25 March 1995, New York: Orbis Books, 1996.



Paul VI, Encyclical Letter on the Great Social Problems Popularum Progeessso, 26 March 1967, London: Catholic Truth Society, 1963.





3. BOOKS



Agarwal, Anil, and Sunita Narain, Global Warming in an Unequal World, New Delhi: Centre for Science and Environment, 1991.



Arya, D.S., and S. A. Abbasi, Urbanization and its Environmental Impacts, New Delhi: Discovery Publishing House, 1995.



Boff, Leonardo, Ecology and Liberation, New York: Orbis Books, 1998.



Chandulal, Anand,Defending the Earth: a Way of Life, New Delhi: Earth Centre, 2003.



Clark, Stephen, How to Think about the Earth, London: Mowbray, 1993.



Deane, Celia, A Handbook in Theology and Ecology, New Delhi: SCM Press Limited, 1996.



Dwedi, O. P., Environment – A Spiritual Dimension, New Delhi: Ashish Publishing House, 1989.



Fernandes, J., S. Noorokariyil and R. Athickal, Development, Consumerism and Environment, Bangalore: Centre for Social Action, 2007.



Gottlieb, Roger S., ed., This Sacred Earth: Religion, Nature, Environment, New York: Routledge, 1996.



Jena, Purna Chandra, Masters or Stewards, New Delhi: ISPCK, 2003.



Jerry, Gaining Momentum,Chennai: Vaigarai Books, 2008



Johnson, Lawrence E., A Morally Deep World – Essays on Environmental Ethics, London: Cambridge University Press, 1991.



Marak, Krickwin C. and Atul Y. Aghmkar, eds., Ecological Challenge and Christian Mission, New Delhi: ISPCK, 1998.



Martin-Schramn, James B. and Robert L. Stivers, Christian Environmental Ethics, New York: Orbis Books, 2003.



Mattam, Joseph and Jacob Kavunkal, eds., Ecological Concerns: An Indian Christian Perspective, Bangalore: NBCLC, 1997.



McDonagh, Sean, To Care for the Earth: A Call to a New Theology, London: Geoffrey Champman, 1986.



McDonagh, Sean, The Death of Life: The Horror of Extinction, Dublin: The Columbia Press, 2004.



Moltmann, Jurgen, God in Creation, London: SCM Press Limited, 1984.



Purna Joseph, The Motherly Earth: An Ecological Ethics of Human-Nature Relationship, Bangalore: Claretian Publication, 2002.



Raja, R.J., Eco Spirituality, Bangalore: NBCLC, 1997.



Sarkar, R.L., The Bible, Ecology and Environment, New Delhi: ISPCK, 2000.



Thottakara, Augustine, ed., Eco-dynamics of Religion-Thoughts for the Third Millennium, Bangalore: Dharmaram Publications, 2000.



Wielenga, Bas, Towards an Eco-Just Society, Bangalore: Centre for Social Action, 1999.







4. ARTICLES

4.1 Journals



Biswas, Rathindra Nath, “The Challenge of Green Power,” Science Reporter 44 (June 2007):9-13.



Boff, Leonardo, “Earth as Gaia: An Ethical and Spiritual Challenge,” Concilium 3 (June 2010): 24-32.



Gupta, Shalendra Kumar, “Global Warming or Global Warning,” Vigyan Pragati (January 2010):5-10.



Fung, Jojo M, “Global Food Crisis: A Theology of Sustenance,” Eastern Pastoral Review, Vol. 45 (December 2008):15-19.



Hasnain, Syed Iqbal, “Himalayan Glaciers… Going,” Science Reporter 44 (June 2007):20-22.



John, V. J., “Ecological Significance of Jesus’ Use of Nature Images,” Jeevdhara Vol. XL (January 2010): 67-74.



Kenel, Mary Elizabeth, “Financial stress,” Human Development 31(March 2010): 17-23



Mishra, Shiv Gopal, “A Look at Climate Change,” Vigyan Pragati (January 2010):17-22.



Poruthur, Anto, “The Relevance of Francis Assisi’s Mission Today,” Mission Today, Vol.XII (April-June 2010):160-165.



Sivadas, S., “A New Gospel on Nature,” Jeevadhara, XXI/126 (November 1991): 421-433.



Therukattil,George, “Towards a Biblical Eco-Theology,” Jeevadhara, XXI/126 (November 1991): 474-475.



Upadhayaya, Vijay Kumar, “Could Gangotri Dry?,” Vigyan Pragati (January 2010):11-12.



Wilfred, Felix, “Towards an Inter-religious Eco-theology,” Concilium 3 (June 2010): 43-54.





4.2 Magazines



Albuquerque, Roy, “Patron Saint of the Environment,” The Examinar, 03 October 2009, 5.



Joseph, Ratna J., “Pollution and Human Health,” Health Action, 7 February 2007, 12-13.



Robinson, Simon, “Heros of the Environment,” Time, 5 October, 2009, 53.



4.3 News Papers



Central Chronicles, (Bhopal), 25 February 2010, p. 6.



Dainik Bhaskar, (Bhopal), 7 December 2009, p. 11.



Free Press (Indore), 21 January 2010, p. 10.



Hindustan Times, (Bhopal), 12 March 2008, p. 1.



Nav Duniya, (Bhopal), 19 October 2009, p. 6; 24 September 2009, p. 1.



Pupil’s Samchar, (Bhopal) 6 March 2010, p. 1.







5. UNPUBLISHED MATERIAL





Kodikuthiyil, Henry Jose, Unpublished Seminar Notes: “Emerging Trends in Ecological Pluralism”, Darjeeling: Salesian College, 2005.



Samanvaya Theological College, Unpublished Paper: “Word of God and Ecological Concerns”,Bhopal: 48th North India Theology Students’ Conference, 2009.





















































APPENDIX (1) PRAYERS

(A) PRAYER ON ECOLOGY BY TARUMITRA

“God our Creator,

You have given us the Earth, the Sky,

The Rivers and the Seas.

Show us the way to care for the Earth

Not just today but for future generations.

Let no plan of ours damage or destroy

The beauty of your creation.”



(B) A CHRISTIAN PRAYER BY ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Be praised, my Lord, for Brother Wind

And for the Air, cloudy and clear, and all weather!

By which you give substance to your creatures!

Be praised, my Lord, for our Sister Mother Earth,

Who sustains and governs us,

And produces fruits with colorful

Flowers and leaves.



APPENDIX (2) LETTER

THE EARTH IS OUR MOTHER.

(A letter of the Chief Seattle of the Dwamish Tribe, in reply to the American President F. Pierce, in 1984 when the latter wanted to buy a large area of land from the Indian people. It is considered as one of the most beautiful and profound statement on the environment ever made.)

How can you buy or sell the sky, the warmth of the land? The idea is strange to us. If we do not own the freshness of the air and the sparkle of the water, how can you buy them?

So when the great white chief in Washington sends word that he wishes to buy our land, he asks much of us. The great Chief sends word he will reserve us a place so that we can live comfortably. He will be our father, we will be his children. So we will consider your offer to buy our land. But it will not be easy. For this land is sacred to us.

The white man’s dead forget the country of their birth when they go to walk among the stars. Our dead never forget this beautiful earth, for it is the mother of the red man. We are part of the earth, and it is a part of us. The perfumed flowers are our sisters; the deer, the horse, the great eagle, these are our brothers. The rocky crests, the juices in the meadows, the body heat of the pony, and man – all belong to the same family.

Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every clearing and humming insect is holy in the memory and experience of my people. The sap that courses through the trees carries the memories of the red man.

The shining water that moves in the streams and the rivers is not just water but the blood of our ancestors. If we sell you land, you must remember that it is sacred, and you must teach your children that it is sacred and that each ghostly reflection in the clear water of the lakes tells of events and memories in the life of my people. The water’s murmur is the voice of my father’s father.

The rivers are our brothers, they quench our thirst. The rivers carry our canoes and feed our children. If we sell you our land, you must remember and teach your children, that the rivers are our brothers, and yours, and you must henceforth give the rivers the kindness you would give any brother.

We know that the white man does not understand our ways. One portion of land is the same to him as the next, for he is a stranger who comes in the night and takes from the land whatever he needs. The earth is not his brother, but his enemy, and when he has conquered it, he moves on. He leaves his fathers’ graves, and his children’s birthright is forgotten. He treats his mother, the earth, and his brother, the sky, as things to be bought, plundered, sold like sheep or bright beads. His appetite will devour the earth and leave behind only a desert.

I do not know. Our ways are different from your ways. The sight of your cities pains the eyes of the red man. But perhaps it is because the red man is a savage and does not understand.

There is no quiet place in the white man’s cities. No place to hear the unfurling of leaves inspiring, or the rustle of an insect’s wings. But perhaps it is because I am a savage and do not understand. The clatter only seems to insult the ears. And what is there to life if a man cannot hear the lonely cry of the whippoorwill or the arguments of the frogs around a pond at night? I am a red man and do not understand. The Indian prefers the soft sound of the wind darting over the face of a pond, and the smell of the wind itself, cleansed by rain or scented with the pinecone.

The air is precious to the red man, for all things share the same breath: the beast, the tree, the man, they all share the same breath. The white men, they all share the same breath. The white man does not seem to notice the air he breathes. Like a man dying for many days, he is numb to the stench. But if we sell you our land, you must remember that the air is precious to us, that the air shares its spirit with all the life it supports. The wind that gave our grandfather his first breath also received his last sigh. And if we sell you our land, you must keep it apart and sacred, as a place where even the white man can go to taste the wind that is sweetened by the meadow’s flowers.

So we will consider your offer to buy our land. If we decide to accept, I will make one condition. The white man must treat the beasts of this land as his brothers.

I am a savage, and I do not understand any other way. I have seen a thousand rotting buffaloes on the prairie, left by the white man who shot them from a passing train. I am a savage, and I do not understand how the smoking iron horse can be more important than the buffalo that we kill only to stay alive.

What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts soon happens to man. All things are connected.

You must teach your children that the ground beneath their feet is the ashes of our grandfathers. So that they will respect the land, tell your children that the earth is rich with the lives of our kin. Teach your children what we have taught our children that the earth is our mother. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons of the earth. Man did not weave the web of life; he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.

Even the white man, whose God walks and talks with him as friend to friend, cannot be exempt from the common destiny. We may be brothers after all. We shall see.

One thing we know, which the white man may one day discover – our God is the same God. You may think now that you own him as you wish to own our land: but you cannot. He is the God of man, and his compassion is equal for the red man and the white. This earth is precious to him, and to harm the earth is to heap contempt upon its Creator.

The whites, too, shall pass; perhaps sooner than all other tribes. Contaminate your bed, and you will one night suffocate in you own waste.

But in your perishing, you will shine brightly, fired by the strength of the god who brought you to this land and for some special purpose gave you dominion over this land and over the red man. That destiny is a mystery to us, for we do not understand when the buffalo are all slaughtered. The wild horses are tamed, the secret corners of the forest heavy with the scent of many men, and the view of the ripe hills blotted out by taking wires. Where is the thicket? Gone. Where is the eagle? Gone.



















































GLOSSARY



Acid Rain: Rain which is a weak with a PH value below 5.0. The term is used for acid mist, acid hail and acid snow even for dry acidic deposition.



Atmosphere: The area which surrounds the earth, made up of gases and water vapor.



Cosmology: The system of ideas or world view, by which the universe is ordered and understood.



Ecosystem: A system of plants and other organisms together with the non-living components of their environment.



Ecological system: It is the description of the complexity of organisms and their physical factors that form the environment.



Environment: It is the conditions within and around the human body or any organism, which affect behavior growth and development of life process directly or indirectly, including those with which the human body interacts, here we means with the external environmental factors and they are grouped under the following heads- namely physical, chemical, biological and socio-economic-cultural factors.



Sustainability: A characteristic of a process or state that can be maintained indefinitely.



Sustainable development: improving the quality of human life while living within capacity of supporting ecosystem.



Renewable Resource: It can renew itself at a constant level, either because it recycles quite rapidly or because it is alive and can propagate itself or be propagated.



Non-renewable Resource: This is one whose consumption necessarily involves in its depletion.