Environmental Choices with Heart
Earth continues to need our actions and prayers as a result of choices individuals and corporations make. Many of God’s species are being displaced as environmental refugees (i.e. think recently about the flooding around the world). As we grow in our understanding of The Universe Story and the interconnectedness of all life, it is imperative that we be alert to what Scripture and Catholic Social Teaching have to say with regard to God’s creation and how we are to care for Earth and all species. The following is a glimpse of that which can be used to pray in solidarity with Earth and all species as we listen to action calls from a variety of sources.
“We must never lose sight of how we have been created: from the earth and from the breath of God.” (On Social Concern (Solicitudo Rei Socialis), 29)
“The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility towards the poor, towards future generations and towards humanity as a whole.” (Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, 48)
“For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat. You shall do the same with your vineyard, and with your olive orchard.” (Exodus 23:10-11)
“It is all too evident that large numbers of people in different countries and areas of our planet are experiencing increased hardship because of the negligence or refusal of others to exercise responsible stewardship over the environment. The goods of creation belong to humanity as a whole. Yet the pace of environmental exploitation is seriously endangering the supply of natural resources for the present generation and for generations to come. There is a need to…practice the solidarity we owe to those living in the poorer areas of our world and to future generations.” (2010 Peace Message, Pope Benedict)
“Can we remain indifferent before the problems associated with such realities as climate change, desertification, loss of agricultural land, the pollution of rivers, the loss of biodiversity, the increase of natural catastrophes and the deforestation of equatorial and tropical regions? Can we disregard the growing phenomenon of “environmental refugees,” people who are forced by the degradation of their natural habitat to forsake it and often their possessions as well? Can we remain impassive in the face of actual and potential conflicts involving access to natural resources?” (2010 Peace Message, Pope Benedict)
“[First] one cannot use with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate, animals, plants, the natural elements simply as one wishes, according to one's own economic needs.
[Second] natural resources are limited; some are not, as it is said, renewable. Using them as if they were inexhaustible, with absolute dominion, seriously endangers their availability not only for the present generation but above all for generations to come.
[Third] the direct or indirect result of industrialization is, the pollution of the environment, with serious consequences for the health of the population....
The dominion granted to humans by the Creator is not an absolute power, nor can one... dispose of things as one pleases.... When it comes to the natural world, we are subject not only to biological laws but also to moral ones, which cannot be violated with impunity.” (On Social Concern (Solicitudo Rei Socialis), 34)
Reflection/Action:
- What phrases from the quotes above capture my heart? What is stirring as a result?
- When reading/listening to Scripture and song, how attentive am I to references on...
ecology
water
food security
food sovereignty
sustainable living
sustainable development
- What prayer rises as a result of these reflections on Scripture, Catholic Social Teaching and the reality of our world?
- When with nature, what erupts from my heart as the "Glory of God?"
- Where do environmental refugees exist within my country? How have I demonstrated compassion toward them?
- How have I educated others on these topics and/or these areas of concern? What resources do I have that might prove helpful?
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Rio+20 Conference in 2012
The Rio+20 Conference will take place in June 2012 and marks the 20thanniversary of the Earth Summit in Rio, thus the name. In 1992, assembled leaders in Rio signed the Convention on Climate Change and the Convention on Biodiversity. They also endorsed the Rio Declaration and the Forest Principles and adopted Agenda 21. The United Nations (UN) created the Commission on Sustainable Development to monitor and report on the implementation of these Earth Summit agreements.
The Commission on Sustainable Development held this past May has threatened the Rio+20 Conference due to the inability to come to agreement on critical issues, the disagreement over ‘green economy’ and the future governance of sustainable development. Much work needs to be completed before the Rio+20 either at events in Bonn this September or in Durban in December.
In preparation for Rio+20, much discussion has centered on the concept of a ‘green economy’ and the future governance that will facilitate the implementation of Rio+20 outcomes. The objective of Rio+20 is to secure renewed political commitment for sustainable development. As a result, Rio+20 will focus on two themes:
- The green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication
- The international structures necessary to promote sustainable development
The concept of ‘green economy’ can provide a current response to the crises of our time. These include the climate crisis, the food crisis and the economic crisis. While no universally acceptable definition of ‘green economy’ has been agreed upon at this time, the UN environment program and the World Resource Institute offer their own descriptions. Depending on one’s perspective of these three pillars, ‘green economy’ is viewed differently by different people and groups.
Reflection/Action:
- In what order of priority are the climate crisis, food crisis, and economic crisis given in my country?
- What actions by leaders in my country verify this priority?
- To ensure environmental sustainability as Millennium Development Goal (MDG) #7 states, in what order would the global community need to prioritize these three pillars?
- MDG #8 speaks of developing a global partnership for development. What else keeps nation states from promoting sustainable development?
- How does environmental sustainability relate to poverty eradication?
- How are these three pillars ordered in my own life and what evidence suggests this?
- What does this say with regard to my efforts at promoting sustainability?
Forced Labor and Food Consumption
According to two articles recently, forced labor is real in the U.S. agriculture business. Maryam Al-Zoubi in Source of Missing Jobs in America Found: Forced Laborers speaks of how “Americans becoming unwittingly complicit supporters of labor trafficking.” In this same article, Ambassador CdeBaca testified at a Senate committee hearing that “eliminating broker fees from the guest worker visa process is one of the many steps the United States government can take to stop the enslavement of foreign workers in the United States.” The worker visas (H-2A and H-2B) do not offer protection from enslavement of workers who remain at a specified work site for the duration of their stay in the U.S. Kentucky is one of the main states receiving these workers.
In another article, Martori farms, the exclusive fresh fruit and vegetable supplier to Wal-Mart’s Supercenter and Neighborhood Market stores, uses women from the Perryville, AZ women’s prison unit to hoe weeds and thin plants. Currently, the women work in deplorable conditions (i.e. hot sun for 8 hours often running out of water; fields infested with spiders, bees and snakes; without medical attention for injuries; etc.). The women are not screened medically before being sent out. They only need to be able to stand to work in the fields.
Reflection/Action:
- How much of the food that comes to my table is nurtured and harvested by forced labor?
- How might I find out if forced labor is a part of the food that comes to my table?
- What options exist for making sure that forced labor is not used in that which comes to my table?
- Which option is realistic to take action on based on my current reality?
- How does this reality relate to food sovereignty?
- View the updated video, Look Beneath the Surface located here.
- The latest issue of Stop Trafficking, co-sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth is located here
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