Social Justice and the Environment

1. Social Justice and theEnvironment “Today, the dramatic effect of ecological breakdown is teaching us the extent to which greed and selfishness are contrary to the order of creation, an order which is characterized by mutual interdependence.” The Ecological Crisis: A Common Responsibility

2. God’s Threatened Grandeur We are the stewards… of an earth not our own.

3. Once upon a time… Smokestacks Were a sign of prosperity. • Concern for the environment is a relatively recent phenomenon • In the 19th century, immigrants would send home postcards with pictures of smokestacks to show that the city was prospering. • Industry indeed brought prosperity. It also brought pollution.

4. Consequence of human sinfulness Air pollution contributes to approximately 12,000 deaths per year. 25,000 people die EVERY day from contaminated water 6000 of these deaths are children. It is estimated that 150-200 species become extinct every day. Each year, 50 million acres of rainforest are destroyed.

5. The bible reveals that human sinfulness is to blame. Pride Selfishness Materialism Consumerism

6. Sin leads to a disorder in all of creation

7. Genesis: 2:15 God gave His gift of creation to humans. We are to have dominion over the earth and all of its resources. HOWEVER, dominion over the earth does not mean exploiting it. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he told them “to cultivate and take care of it.”

8. Jesus teaches us what it means to be a good steward…

9. Whom shall I send? “Much will be required of the person entrusted with much, and still more will be demanded of the person entrusted with more.” Lk 12:48

10. Land – Air – Water – Species Extinction

11. LAND Rainforests comprise 6% of the world’s land mass, but are home to more than 50% of plant and animal species on earth. ¼ of medicines that heal humanity come from the rainforest. Deforestation means fewer trees to absorb and neutralize greenhouse gases. Rainforests are being destroyed at a staggering rate. At least 50 million acres a year are lost, exceeding the size of England, Wales and Scotland combined.

12. Comment on the following quote: • Deforestation is to the Earth, what smoking is to a person: “Suicide On The Installment Plan.” • www.emeraldecocity.com

13. WATER Oceans cover 71% of the earth’s surface Contains 99% of the habitat space on earth. Over 1BILLION people lack access to clean water in developing countries. Coral Reef Habitat Production of antibiotics Protects land from erosion Porous limestone is used for bone grafts. Over 10% have been destroyed Some culprits: Industrial pollutants Leaks from underground tanks storing gas/chemicals Death of 300,000 dolphins and whales because of entanglement in fishing nets Use of pesticides

14. AIR Over 20% of the world’s population breathes polluted, unhealthy air. Acid rain is produced from the burning of fossil fuels. This rain pollutes lakes, rivers, trees and vegetation. Greenhouse Effect: the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the upper atmosphere. Again, from the burning of fossil fuels and the production of other gaseous emissions. Global Warming: one of the deadliest effects is the melting of polar icecaps. If current trends continue, New Orleans will be permanently under water by the year 2100. Ozone Layer Depletion: largely caused by a substance used in refrigeration, air conditioning, cleaning agents, aerosol cans and foam insulation: CFC’s or chlorofluorocarbons.

15. SPECIES EXTINCTION Scientists estimate that as many as 137 species become extinct everyday. 100 to 1000 times the natural rate. 15,589 species are now at risk of extinction Humans are the only species in the history of life on earth that have the power to cause a mass extinction of many other species. One scientist calls humans the exterminator species However, we are also the only species who can responsibly save other species

16. SPECIES EXTINCTION

20. There’s a solution right at our fingertips…