The Ecological Crisis
Western attitudes towards creation and nature our bound within the Hebraic tradition and Greek philosophy, in that human beings are at the centre of the universe. The Creation story in Genesis puts us firmly in charge, having dominion over all, answerable only to God. Even the influence of figures such as St Francis have had little impact on this dominant view of human kind.
Does this control over nature exclude concern for its preservation?
Areas of concern that affect the worldwide community include the following.
Issues of Concern
Rainforest destruction
Some of our well known animals are becoming endangered as their habitat is destroyed e.g. Jaguars, parrots, humming birds etc. Other species not yet discovered will be become extinct. Plants such as mahogany which, once plentiful, are now also threatened.
It is not only animals and plant life that are at risk, but also the native Indians who are also at risk of extinction. These Indians, who before, lived with and in the forest are now being removed to reservations or regarded as ‘Tourist attractions’ yet, it is their home and way of life that is being destroyed.
Those farmers who have cleared land and begun growing crops and grazing cattle have found the soil quality become poor due to the effect of heavy tropical rain washing the loose soil away, due to the lack of roots to bind and hold it. The farmers then have to move to the towns for work.
More importantly, the rainforests produce over one third of the world’s oxygen supply through the process of ‘photosynthesis’ and with much of the tree material being burned, there is a further increase of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. [1]
Yet, despite all this the rainforests continue to be cut down for short term benefits of raising cash for countries in need of development, though due to corruption much of the money is not used effectively. This destruction is also encouraged by the West, who are prepared to buy the products of the rainforest, not least a trade in rare animals and a liking for rare hardwoods etc.
Global Warming, Ozone Layer and Acid Rain
The greenhouse effect, is a normal process whereby heat from the sun is retained within our atmosphere to provide life and warmth. With the rise in gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, this ability to retain heat has increased and an overall rise in the world’s temperature has resulted. Higher baseline temperature means glaciers and ice-caps are beginning to melt, which in turn is raising the sea-level, putting many coastal populations at risk of flooding and destruction including the Soutj East in the UK. These climate changes will have an effects on agricultural patterns, water availability, balance of natural ecosystems and human health.
The main contributor to this problem is carbon dioxide, which is produced at a high rate due to human activity and the burning of fossil fuels, like coal and oil in particular.
Decrease in ozone layer is due to the use of chemicals known as CFC’s, and allows unusually high levels of UV-B radiation to reach the earth’s surface. This dangers of this are an increased risk to human health in terms of higher levels of skin cancer, eye disease and suppressed immune systems. In the marine environment depletion of micro-organisms at the bottom of the food chain, this in turn means a decrease those animals further up the food chain dependent on them for food. In agriculture, UV radiation causes stunted plant and leaf development and also means plants are more susceptible to pests and disease. This radiation also affects the quality of materials such as plastics and therefore creates more waste.
Air Pollution and acid rain are not new phenomena and as far back as 1872 there was a connection made between burning coal in Manchester and the acidification of nearby rainfall. The burning of such fuels produces sulphur dioxide and nitrous oxides which combine with water vapour to fall as dilute acid. The affects of this is damage to human health, buildings especially limestone and marble (Calcium carbonate), animal health and some plant life. Fuel emissions, in particular from road vehicles, are responsible for this problem, efforts to reduce emissions of these gases, such as catalytic converters, are not fuel efficient, which means an increase in carbon dioxide emissions.[2]
It is becoming increasingly evident that what has been named ‘the ecological crisis’ is perhaps the number one problem facing the world-wide human community of our time. If we follow the present course of events, the prediction of the apocalyptic end of life, on our planet at least, is not a matter of prophecy but of sheer inevitability.[3]
There are two approaches to ecology
‘Shallow ecology’ is more concerned with the short term e.g. reduce pollution for safe drinking water, preservation of the wilderness for leisure and enjoyment
‘Deep ecology’ concerned with preservation of the biosphere for its own sake.
Ethical frameworks within society are developed with that particular societies own survival in mind – e.g. Eskimos killing their elderly parents who are no longer able to fend for themselves. An Environmental Ethic promotes recycling and saving of resources and criticise extravagance and unnecessary consumption e.g. motor racing vs cycling. Should sports that are not environmentally friendly be regarded in the same ways as we view bear-baiting? The environmental ethic rejects the ideals of a materialistic society in which success is gauged by the quantity of consumer goods one can accumulate. Instead should we be using green consumer guides, making efforts to reduce the amount of disposable products we use and reduce the number of unnecessary journeys in order to reduce fuel consumption and gas emissions?
[1] www.animamundi.org.uk
[2] www.ecocentre.org.uk
[3] J Zizioulas ‘Preserving God’s Creation’ p1