Powered By Blogger

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

GLOBALIZATION AND ENVIRONMENT


INTRODUCTION
“God blessed them, and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth." (Genesis 1:28)
            God created the universe.  He made everything here on earth and God saw it and “it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).  He created man in His image and likeness to rule over to His creation to be steward and not to be destroyer.   Natures are God’s gift to mankind.  Taking good care of His creation is our gift to our Creator.  To dominion the creation assigned to us by God, is to become God’s vice-regent, steward, or manager to his creation.  This should be the correct interpretation of the biblical text from Genesis.  But mankind is misguided and takes the wrong notion of the meaning of dominion.  Hence, we need to “harmonize with nature in order to have a better existence here on earth.”[1]  Plus, “man’s vocation is to love the earth as God loves it and to delight in the diverse creatures to our planet as God delight in them.”[2]  Because of man’s wrong notion of dominion and misuse of freedom, it creates destruction to God’s creation, specifically in the environment or ecosystem.   It seems that nature is made simply for human beings to exploit.  Humans exploited natures because of the profit-oriented mentality which is adopted from the ideology of globalization. That is why when we talk about globalization it is also talking about our environment.  Globalization has its good effect to the world but we cannot deny the fact that has also has its bad effects not only to the small businessmen but most especially to the environment. Thus this study aims to explain the effect of globalization in the environment.  And to find what will be the response of man to the environment as steward of God’s creation.
CHAPTER 1
GLOBALIZATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Historical Perspective of Globalization
            Because of globalization the face of the earth is change.  It changes the life-style not only to the human beings but also to the different species living here on earth and it also changes the face of our environment.  However, globalization started with the “emergence of trade along the silk road during the Han period in China (202 BCE-220 CE) and the Roman Empire in the West (100 BCE-550 CE), the Eurasian continent was linked with other world cultures for the first time.”[3] Then, at the “age of exploration initiated by the Europeans, the planet became gradually linked and the interchange of species, as well as goods and culture, became more evident.”[4] Because of explorations, the colonialization and industrialization began at first in almost part of the world.  At the height of industrialization that was also the time of the rise of technological advancement, likewise it was also the time of the environmental destruction.  Thus, “in thinking about globalization in its many forms, it is becoming increasingly clear that the environment emerges as a key issue that will determine all others.”[5]
Meaning of Ecology
            Human beings are part of the global community.  A community not only for human beings but also for the animals and non-human beings.  Everything is made for a reason and purpose.  Each one of us is interconnected, since we are living in this earth.  If we exploit the rivers or the seas the effect will not limit only to the sea creatures but also to human beings.  If man cuts all the trees in the forest, it is not only the animal will suffer but man will also face the worse consequences. “Everything here on earth is interconnected.”[6]
The word “ecology” actually comes from the Greek oikos, meaning “household,” “home,” or “place to live.”[7] Henceforth, “ecology attempts to understand the complex web of linkages, relationships and interdependencies in a particular environment or ecosystem.  It reminds us that human beings are part of the “house”.[8]
Therefore in everything we do to our Mother Nature, it has always something to do with the course of humanity.  The global warming is the concrete repercussion of man’s exploitation to our Mother Nature.  Furthermore, “human species has emerged as the dominant species in almost all ecosystems.  This domination has led to the degradation of the natural environment.”[9]
Effects of Globalization to our Environment
            There are two problems that we are facing today in terms of the effects of the globalization to our environment.  The Climate change which was only a prediction before, now it becomes a reality because of man’s abusive power over nature.  Second is the species extinction.  These two problems existed because of the “increasing industrialization, destruction of ecosystem, raped use of resources, and population explosions.”[10]
How come that this population explosion create a massive destruction in the environment?  “Increasing population does not necessarily have to mean increasing environmental degradation.”[11]   But large number of people burdens the ecosystem.  This means that our natural resources are limited and if there are so many people, our natural resources cannot suffice the needs of the people.  Furthermore, reality speaks that there are more poor people than the rich ones.  Poor people will somehow go to the urban cities for survival purposes.  Mostly they will reside near at the rivers and somehow they will pollute the river banks and kill the living species in the river. By throwing their garbage anywhere and no proper comfort rooms inside in there home.  Other side of the story if there are many people it means there are also lots of shelters to be made.  Since there are no more spaces in the urban cities, constructor will build home on the mountain.  Putting houses at the mountain means cutting more tress and destroying another form of habitat. If there are lots of people and our resources are then they will tend to use chemicals in there agriculture to meet the demands of the market for supply.  Without knowing that putting chemicals to our crops can make the soil infertile, “chemicals destroy the long-term natural fertility of soil,”[12] and the environmental degradation will follow. 
            Second is about the technology.  We cannot deny the fact that technological advancements improve our human life and create economic growth yet it also consumes huge amounts of energy and contributed most of the pollution in the atmosphere and in the water.
“The impact of these technologies on ecosystems has been enormous. Take for example, the forests of the earth.  The technologies that have made the harvest of ancient forest tracts possible in a short period of time are easy to pinpoint.  The chainsaw, road building equipment draglines, and the truck revolutionized the harvest.  Underlying these technologies were the skills of the large equipment operator, the expert tree faller the accountant the administrator, and the ideology of scientific management.  Species and ecosystems have no defense against this kind of power.  Of special importance to the degradation of forest communities and ecosystems is the road building made possible by bulldozers, road graders, and other heavy equipment.  Where roads go, immigrants go, forests go down, and forest dwellers go out.”[13]
            Lastly is the anthropocentric attitude of man which means human-centered.  Thus is says:
“Strong anthropocentric attitudes were appropriate or at least did minimal harm to ecosystems when humans wielded little power.  They are inappropriate in the present context when humans have the power to exploit all ecosystems.  In this new situation utilitarian attitudes lead to the devaluing of nature and consequently to exploitation.”[14]

                Population explosion, technologies, and anthropocentrism are not only the effects of globalization to the environment.  There are lots of them.  But these three probably the basic reasons constitute globalization that will cause environmental degradation.
















CHAPTER II
BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVES ABOUT STEWARDSHIP IN OUR ENVIRONMENT

Old Testament
            In Genesis 1: 26, “Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth."  This text suggests that we humans are stewards of the earth.  Genesis 2:15, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to till it and keep it.”  Human being is told to “cultivate and care” what God has given.  It means that “human beings are part of the unfolding of creation, called to participate responsibly in the dynamism of ongoing creation.”[15] Deuteronomy 22:6-7, “If you come on a bird's nest, in any tree or on the ground, with fledglings or eggs, with the mother sitting on the fledglings or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young. Let the mother go, taking only the young for yourself, in order that it may go well with you and you may live long.”; Numbers 35:33, “You shall not pollute the land in which you live; for blood pollutes the land, and no expiation can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.” Job 12: 7-10, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these do not know that the hand of the LORD has done this?  In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.”  These texts tell us that God teaches humans through nature.  Jeremiah 2:7, “I brought you into a plentiful land to eat its fruits and its good things. But when you entered you defiled my land, and made my heritage an abomination.” This text tells us that God expects humans to be His stewards with nature.
New Testament
            John 1:3, “All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being.” This text means that God made everything.  Matthew 6:26, “Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” this text indicates that God has a relationship with all of His creation.  Revelation 5:13, “then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"  This text indicates that God calls all of His creation to worship.  Roman 1:19-20, “For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.  Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse;” this text shows that God teaches Humans through nature.  Luke 16:2, 10, 13, “and he called him and said to him, “what is this I hear about you?  Give me an account of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.  He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous in much.  You cannot serve both God and mammon.” These texts show that God expects humans to be His stewards with nature.
            It is now clear to us that God Created, blessed, and protected everything.  As stewards of His creation we are called to do no less.  It is now our duty to protect the other species and their habitat.  The bible is clear that creation expresses God’s wisdom and power.

CHAPTER III

CHURCH TEACHING ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT

            Our late Pope John Paul II has called for Christians to respect and protect the environment, so that through nature people can contemplate the mystery of the greatness and love of God.  it is also stated in the CFC that, “we are called to exercise  in our daily activities which we can rightfully consider as a prolongation of God’s continuing work of creating and a service to our fellow men and women.”[16]  Sollicitudo Rei Socialis, Pope John Paul II encyclical stated that:
“We even have to respect the natural world around us.  We cannot use the different kinds of beings-animals-plants-minerals-simply as we wish.  We have to take their nature into account.  We should realize that our natural resources are limited.  We should be aware of the consequences for our health.”[17]

These are other teachings of our Church that deal towards the environment.
            The message of Pope John Paul II during 1990, World Day of Peace:
“Finally, the aesthetic value of creation cannot be overlooked.  Our very contact with natures has a deep restorative power; contemplation of its magnificence imparts peace and serenity.  The Bible speaks again and again of the goodness and beauty of creation which is called to glorify God.”[18]

Ecclesia in Asia:  Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation of Pope John Paul II:

“When concern for economic and technological progress is not accompanied by concern for the balance of the ecosystem, our earth is inevitably exposed to a serious environmental damage, with consequent harm to human beings.  Blatant disrespect for the environment will continue as long as the earth and its potential are seen merely as objects of immediate use and consumption, to be manipulated by an unbridled desire for profit.  It is the duty of Christians and of all who look God as Creator to protect the environment by restoring a sense of reverence for the whole of God’s creation.”[19]

            Evangelium Vitae:  Encyclical Letter of Pope John Paul II:
“In fact, the dominion granted to man by the Creator is not an absolute power, nor can one speak of a freedom to ‘use and misuse’, or to dispose of things as one pleases.  The limitation imposed from the beginning by the Creator himself and expressed symbolically by the prohibition not to ‘eat of the fruit of the tree’ (cf. Gn. 2:16-17) shows clearly enough that, when it comes to the natural world, we are subject not only to biological laws but also to a moral ones, which cannot be violated with impurity.”[20]

            Populorum Progressio:  Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI:
“In the very first pages of Scriptures we read these words:  “fill the earth and subdue it.”  This teaches us that the whole of creation is for man, that he has been changed to give it meaning by his intelligent activity to complete and perfect it by his own efforts and to his own advantage.”[21]

To summarize it all, we are called to be a steward of the whole creation.  We will not abuse or exploit the whole creation.  Our power to dominion is to cultivate and nurture the environment for man’s advantage to survive.
The environment and the whole of ecosystems are self-expression of the Creator, therefore the whole community of the “house” is an image of God.  For that reason we need to respect and love our “households” because they are all image of God.  Man is made by His image and likeness and the whole of environment is an image of God. There is only one perfect image of God, and that is Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the true image of God. He is the first born of all things in creation.  He is the image of God not just for human beings but also for all creatures.”[22]  Natures give us temporal life here on earth but Jesus is the source of eternal life.  Both of them give life to human beings.  That is why the Church encourages and challenges us to promote life by saving our Mother Earth.




CHAPTER IV
CONCLUSION
            There is still hope in saving our “home” from dying.  Human being desires to rule and exploit the whole creation is the starting point of the devastation of our “home”.  Human being is the primary cause for the destruction of our environment.   Only the human being can do this to the environment. Therefore man is the only solution to solve the problem.  When God created the world there was no problem like this in our environment.  But when man started to innovate using his intellect, our environment becomes more vulnerable to fragility.  There was a quote from the movie entitled ‘the day the earth stood still’ that states, “the problem is not technology…the problem is you (human)…you (human) lack the will to change.”  Technologies or machines can only do its purpose if man will use it in a proper way.  But since man of today becomes more profit-oriented and self-centered, machines and technologies become harmful to the environment.  The challenge then is that man must change in their ways of living their life here on earth.  To change the face of the earth is to change ourselves first.  How?  By doing simple things that can contribute to big things, we must think globally but act locally.  Like recycling, conserve water, live simple life-style, segregate and throw garbage properly, tree planting, regulate the use of electronic devices and many more.  If all of us are serious for this cause probably our “home” will become favorable place for living.  Cooperation of everybody is very important factor to help and prevent the longevity our “home.”  What is money then if we are no place to live in?  Moreover, if the “environment will sink into degradation, the world economy will collapse.”[23]  Leo Tolstoy said, “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”  This is a challenge for everyone; change must begin in ourselves and leave all the rest to God.
CHAPTER V
PERSONAL REFLECTION
            It is stated in the Viannista Credo that “I must be a steward of creation”.  This is somehow indicates who I am as a priest to be in our diocese.  Priest not only for human beings but also for all of God’s creation here on earth.  As I do my reflection I remember what Fr. Julius shared to us about the ten ideas on priesthood.  That is why this reflection of mine will somehow connect to those ten ideas on priesthood by George Oliver.  Out of the ten ideas on priesthood I will only get three images on priesthood for this reflection.  As priest to be, ecological concerns ought to be at the heart of my pastoral ministry. And promote creation spirituality and simple lifestyles as a way of responding to the destructive impact of our global consumer society.
 The first image of priest is Imago Dei or image of God.  As priest to be I must be the God whom I adore.  A priest who love his flock, never leave his flock, and protect his flock from the hunters.  These ‘hunters’ are those people who exploit the natural resources, illegal loggers, etc…  It is my call to stop the ‘hunters’ by a peaceful process like dialogue, as a sign of my pastoral care for my flock.  It is also my call to teach and preach to the people the importance of taking good care the environment.  Accordingly, priest is called by God to help the people’s redemption.  By protecting the natural resources in my diocese, is one way of expressing people’s redemption.  I was grade two then, when Fr. Neri Satur was shot dead because of his campaign to illegal logging.  But it was only during my college years I value his cause.  I realized then, how important it is to protect the forest in Bukidnon and how noble he is as a priest.  I thought that dying because of saving the forest is useless and nonsense but I was wrong about it.  He sets a good example for me as a faithful and loving priest not only to his vocation but also to the environment.
Second image is as a Pilgrim Companion.  Priest to be must be with the people whom I am serving.  Live with the people and suffer with the people.  A companion who gives hopes especially those people who are victims of natural calamities.  A priest who encourages the faithful to stand up even standing is hard enough.  A priest who gives hope despite of all the bad things that are happening here on earth.  A priest who can inspire people to change their heart by showing good example to them. As priest to be, it is my duty to teach the people that natural calamities are not coming from God rather it is because of man’s exploitation to the environment.  And lastly a priest who will walk his talk; if he encourages his parishioners for a change to save the world he must be the first one who will act on it.  In addition, simple living is one way of showing that I really care and give reverence to our Mother Nature. 
Lastly the image of Prophetic Person.  As priest to be, to prophesy is one of my missions.  Because of the complexities of our life today, technologies and worldly allurements people forget the basic values.  People think that having material things are the real essence of happiness.  People nowadays always think how to make a profit, they are busy earning profit yet they forget the essential things in this world.  Because of this kind of mentality people do not care anymore what are the effects of these things in the society or to the environment. Man becomes anthropocentric.  They think that creation is for man’s satisfaction.  That is why this is a big challenge for me as a priest to be and as a prophet.  I need to teach and preach the truth about life and the wisdom of the sign of times given to us by God.  This is my call, this is what I call for, and this is what I am form to become a theologian at the same time ecologian to be more effective prophet in my ministry. A prophet of Hope.


[1]  Khandi Ferrarez, Saving Our Environment for the Future, “Youngster 54, no.3” (October-November, 2009): 5.
[2]  Denis Edwards, Ecology at the Heart of Faith (Maryknoll, New York, Orbis Books, 2008), 17.
[3]  J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., Globalization and Catholic Social Thought (Maryknoll, New York, Orbis Books, 2005), 87.
[4]   J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., Globalization and Catholic Social Thought, 88.
[5]   J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., 91.
[6]  Denis Edwards, Ecology at the Heart of Faith, 1.
[7]  Stephen B. Scharper and Hilary Cunningham, The Green Bible (Maryknoll, New York, Orbis Books, 1993), xii. 
[8]  Sean McDonagh, To Care for the Earth: A Call to a New Theology (Sante Fe, New Mexico, Bear and Company, 1986), 17.
[9]  James B.M. Schramm and R.L. Stivers, Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case Method Approach (Maryknoll, New York, Orbis Books, 2003), 9.
[10]   J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., Globalization and Catholic Social Thought, 92.

[11]   James M.B. Schramm and R.L. Stivers, Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case Method Approach, 11.
[12]   Sean McDonagh, To Care for the Earth: A Call to a New Theology, 19.
[13]  James M.B. Schramm and R.L. Stivers, Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case Method Approach, 14.
[14]  James M.B. Schramm and R.L. Stivers, 18.
[15]  Denis Edwards, Ecology at the Heart of Faith, 28.

[16]   Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, Catechism for Filipino Catholics (Metro Manila: ECCCE and Word and Life Publications, 2005), 87.
[17]  J.G. Donders, ed., John Paul II: The Encyclicals in Everyday Language (Philippines, St. Paul, 2001), 137.
[18]  J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., Globalization and Catholic Social Thought, 102.
[19]  J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., 103.
[20]   J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., 105.
[21]   J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., 111.
[22]   Denis Edwards, Ecology at the Heart of Faith, 15.

[23]  J.A. Coleman, S.J., and W.F. Ryan, S.J., ed., 20.

No comments:

Post a Comment