CLIMATE CHANGE

In Genesis 1:1-2, we read that in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. After creating all of nature, God created mankind so that the entire human race would care for the magnificent nature created by Him and be responsible for its protection and conservation.

In Genesis 6:5-8, we find that God regretted having fashioned man, because due to his attachments and greed, man did not hesitate to violate the laws of nature and had become evil in the sight of God. As a result, a great flood brought terrible destruction upon the entire earth, and all living creatures perished. However, Noah, his family, and all the creatures he had gathered according to God's command were safe. Noah, who was righteous and honest in the eyes of God, proved to be a hero for his own family and the creatures of the earth.

In Genesis 18:21, we see that the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed due to the sins and deeds of their people. We must be fully aware that the destruction of these cities also meant the destruction of all trees, wild animals, birds, aquatic life, and other natural resources of that region.

From Exodus 7 to 12, we find mention of the ten plagues, where due to the stubbornness and arrogance of a powerful ruler, humans, animals, and other creatures also had to face these deadly calamities.

In 1 Kings 17:1-2, we find how, due to the sins of King Ahab and his wife Jezebel, their kingdom faced a drought for a period of three years and six months. It is a reality that nature, climate, birds, and other living creatures must have suffered significantly during that drought.

Today, the entire human race is moving every moment in a state of unconsciousness toward its most terrifying destruction. Mankind has continuously attacked the environment and continues to do so. It is exactly like a person cutting the very branch on which they are sitting. Countless years have passed since the Earth came into existence. According to science, a continuous process of evolution has been ongoing, and whatever exists or happens in this universe—whether directly or indirectly—affects the environment and the Earth as a whole. For centuries, humans have enjoyed the Earth's resources by contributing to the system of nature in various ways. However, in the last few decades, a kind of selfishness has emerged among humans that has squeezed this planet from within and severely disrupted the balance of nature. Consequently, we all—especially India—is suffering the consequences of degradation like climate change, and will continue to do so in the future.

Humans and environment are not separate; they are a manifestation of the environment itself. The favourable atmosphere of the Earth keeps human life functioning. Our ancestors were so close to nature that they considered themselves a part of it, rather than a separate external entity. However, due to industrialization and modernity, a terrible compromise has been made with this perspective. We have treated the environment like a 'use and throw' object and are continuously exploiting it.

The relationship between humans and the environment no longer exists; we have become predators rather than protectors of nature, completely forgetting our duties toward it. We do not even understand the justification for re-establishing harmony with nature. There is no place for this thought even in the farthest reaches of our subconscious mind. Against this backdrop, some questions stand before us: why do we kneel before our unnecessary, selfish, and destructive tendencies? When we see someone around us throwing garbage or polluting the environment, why do we not feel hesitation or guilt? Even if we do, why do we remain silent? Why do we lack sensitivity toward our environment and the decline in its quality and character?

We all well understand and know that whenever man has been blinded by selfishness and greed, destruction has followed. I believe that whenever we tamper with the systems of the environment for our own gain and purpose, we are actually sowing the seeds of our own death. This nature is fully capable of rectifying all disordered components and keeping its system smooth; however, our Lord God continuously gives us a chance to improve so that we may truly feel the agony of our Earth and His creation, which we have dilapidated for our selfishness. But we remain ignorant and senseless people; we show our strength and might only to those weaker than us and the voiceless, satisfying our 'ego' by tormenting them.

As modernization accelerates, we are all losing our patience as well. We see no one other than ourselves. The rich do not see the huts of the poor; industrialists do not value the labour and sweat of farmers and workers; the common man is drowned in cheap intoxicants; the youth are victims of bad habits; the value of education is gone; the path of cruelty and insult now seems pleasant; dishonest money has stopped feeling heavy; and the act of tormenting voiceless animals to satisfy the blocked and indelible cravings of our tongue is going on unabated—but what does it matter to us? Our house is clean, isn't it—even if the trash has to be thrown outside the neighbour’s house!

Based on my self-observation, I consider it appropriate to say to you that our soul is completely unconscious today. We have never felt the need to internalize God's compassion and virtues. Our hearts have become so hardened that we are ready to cause pain to anyone for our own pleasure, so what then is this nature to us? These are internal emotions, but there are countless external factors originating solely from humans that are becoming a burden on nature. We must never forget: the greater our greed, the greater our needs; the greater our needs, the greater our consumption; the greater our consumption, the greater the exploitation of nature; and the greater the exploitation of nature, the swifter and closer the time of the creation's destruction.

Today, climate change, pollution , global warming, war, increasing per capita consumption, etc., are major challenges for us. I want to place before you some key reasons that are knocking on the doors of this Earth's destruction:

* The constant increase in population,

* Excessive deforestation,

* Increasing use of plastic and our mindset of littering,

* Growing industrialization,

* Extensive mining and excavation,

* Exploitation of environmental resources in the name of development,

* Lack of transparency in every responsible citizen,

* Dominance of industrialists,

* Lack of responsibility toward future generations,

* Excessive investment in the manufacture of weapons for wars,

* Increasing meat consumption,

* Attachment to luxury,

* The constant demand for something new,and a lack of self-introspection.

My dear friends, I believe that today we all must think deeply about these subjects and, by reflecting on them, try to understand our own state of mind. We must understand and feel our oneness with the environment. Humans, birds, animals, plants, and every subtle element within nature are partners in its complete existence. Today, we are all facing sudden changes in weather cycles, natural disasters, and the dangerous effects of the exploitation of the environment.

It is my belief that every individual on this planet should awaken to the changes occurring in the regular cycles of the climate. We desperately need to eliminate our greed, bad habits, and pride, and internalize the feelings of compassion and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. Dear friends, until this awareness reaches every individual's mind, it becomes necessary for us to hear this message repeatedly, reflect upon it, and keep challenging ourselves.

Education has always held the primary place in society, and appropriate, serious, and practical education plays a very important role in our lives. Human society undoubtedly has an immediate need for 'environmental protection,' and proper education will play a vital role in this task. Along with this, there is a great need for widespread awareness regarding sanitation in many countries, primarily in India. Every citizen of India should be alert to what is happening to us and in what ways we truly need to improve ourselves. When we become aware of this subject, we will consider it our responsibility and our right, and we will remain actively striving for it.

However, in this effort and reflection, I have realized and understood that all of nature is eagerly waiting to see human selfishness transform into altruism. The destruction of various forest species, deforestation, melting glaciers, global warming, the depletion of the ozone layer, increasing industrialization and pollution—all these have made our lives so frail and weak that it is difficult to imagine what will happen to this Earth in the next 20 to 30 years. Our God entrusted His creation to us so that we would take care of it and be helpful in its maintenance. But what is happening today? Are we doing what God wants from us? And if our answer is 'no', it means that today everything is happening in reverse. Presenting all these points before you, I make a plea to all of you: today we must work together for the climate change occurring in nature and become aware of it. We all must reduce our selfishness to some extent and spend less on items such as packaged items, packaged foods, packaged groceries, and factory-manufactured materials. We must all identify our true needs. We must also take care of our health and take solid steps for the protection of natural resources so that our future generations remember us with love, rather than curse us.

My dear friends, in this reflection, I have taken Lord Jesus as my ideal. If we look at His life, He was a lover of nature. He had a deep affection for birds, animals, and all living creatures. He was born in a stable among animals. His baptism took place in a natural water source. He considered a single flower superior to the glory of King Solomon. During His long journeys, He must have rested under many trees and by the banks of water sources. He thoroughly enjoyed the solitude of the environment. In the midst of gardens and environmental solitude, His conversation with His Father God became possible. Satan also tempted Him in the desert, and in this desert, Lord Jesus encountered wild animals; yet, we find no mention in the Gospel that wild animals harmed or attacked Him. He walked on water. He calmed the storm of the sea with just a word. At His death (using metaphors), the sky wept, the earth split, and a deep, thick darkness enveloped the sky. All these events explain to me and to all of you that Jesus Christ was very deeply connected to nature. Today, if He were to stand among us, He would weep seeing our condition and would try to correct us so that we do not exploit His creation or cause it harm.

If we look at Saint Francis of Assisi, he too was deeply connected to nature. He used to talk to the sun, moon, fish, birds, and animals, preaching the good news of the Gospel to all of them. Holy Father Pope Francis also emphasized the sustainability of our Earth in his encyclical 'Laudato si' and inspired us all to become aware of the climate change happening in the environment. Pope Francis considers climate change to be a moral crisis. Through this encyclical, he emphasizes five main points:

* Shared Resources: The climate is a common heritage of all. (Para 23)

* Throwaway Culture: Excessive consumerism and waste are destroying the environment. (Para 22)

* Integral Ecology: The health of nature and society are interconnected; it is a combined socio-environmental crisis. (Para 139)

* Impact on the Poor: The brunt of climate change falls most heavily on the innocent poor. (Para 48-52)

* Global Dialogue: Honest international agreements are needed to phase out fossil fuels. (Para 161, 165)

My dear friends, for many decades, we have become destroyers of the environment due to our greed and pride; the result is this changing climate. Today, nature asks us very tough questions: Why do we not want to change our nature? Are we still unconscious despite knowing everything? Are we ready to bring change into our lives from today? Am I not personally affected by the destruction caused by climate change? If yes, then am I ready for self-introspection? Let us reflect on this subject.

✍ - Bro. Christson Gill (IMS, Delhi Province)