Working Gdoc from class today.

Environment   Apr 21, 2016 by Anthony Hulse

BishopGrandin High School RE 35 Q.4, p.1

Laudato Si

CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME

Video summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3Lz7dmn1eM

This document was new to the class

Interesting points that stand out are:

• “our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us.”
• “Business is a noble vocation, directed to producing wealth and improving our world. It can be a fruitful source of prosperity for the areas in which it operates, especially if it sees the creation of jobs as an essential part of its service to the common good.”

• The earth is our sister
• The Amazon and the Congo basins are areas of special concern: when these forests are burned down or levelled for purposes of cultivation, within the space of a few years countless species are lost and the areas frequently become arid wastelands

• We have harmed our sister by our own greed

Pope Francis sees the world itself as one of the poor

• “The loss of forests and woodlands entails the loss of species which may constitute extremely important resources in the future, not only for food but also for curing disease and other uses. Different species contain genes which could be key resources in years ahead for meeting human needs and regulating environmental problems.”
• “the nobility of the human vocation to participate responsibly in God’s creative action”

• The actions of the wealthiest countries have the greatest effect on the poor in the world.
• Developing countries, where the most important reserves of the biosphere are found, continue to fuel the development of richer countries at the cost of their own present and future.
• “We were created with a vocation to work...Work is a necessity, part of the meaning of life on this earth, a path to growth, human development and personal fulfilment.”
• “while the existing world order proves powerless to assume its responsibilities, local individuals and groups can make a real difference”
• Authentic human development has a moral character. It presumes full respect for the human person, but it must also be concerned for the world around us and “take into account the nature of each being and of its mutual connection in an ordered system” Accordingly, our human ability to transform reality must proceed in line with God’s original gift of all that is.
• A dialogue must be formed between all people as environmental change affects everyone as a whole.
• In the future, humans will fall victim to our own actions and the disrespect we have shown to our common home.
• A sober and satisfying life can not be cultivated unless one is at peace with him or herself.
• Human beings too are creatures of this world, enjoying a right to life and happiness, and endowed with unique dignity. So we cannot fail to consider the effects on people’s lives of environmental deterioration, current models of development and the throwaway culture.
• “Change is something desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxiety when it causes harm to the world and to the quality of life of much of humanity.”

Questions for reflection:

Is it time to change right now, or can we wait a while?

• As the effects of our abuse of the Earth pile up, if we wait long enough to ensure to everyone that this is real, it may be too late, with our environments and our world beyond saving.
• Change this drastic will take quite a while to initiate, so starting to set things in motion sooner is key. Steps should be taken to ensure our future as humans is not negatively affected by our actions.
• What does the commandment “Thou shalt not kill” mean when “20% of the world’s population consumes resources at a rate that robs the poor nations and future generations of what they need to survive”?

• Mother earth’s natural resources are limited and soon will dissipate, climate change is affecting everyone on this earth. We need to start change now.
• We have to act now, sean parnis will not live forever.

Can we afford to wait for the big countries and corporations to decide to make changes?

• No. Big countries and corporations have the motive of wealth and power to maintain a debilitating ecological footprint. Improving the environment or even discussing the need for change may prove detrimental to their profits and successes. Therefore, we must not wait for big countries or corporations as they will most likely not do anything to improve the situation.

• The wealthy countries and corporations thrive because they hold a capitalist ideal. Corporations are more interested in making money and doing whatever it takes to attain their goals. Pope Francis calls everyone to show mercy towards mother earth and towards those who are suffering.
• Change is impossible without “motivation and a process of education”.

Can ordinary people make changes that count?

• Yes. If we think about some of the largest corporations, many have been founded or conceived by an individual. If people were as interested in the environment as they were in technology or capitalist motives (wealth or success), the power of the individual to make a difference or a change that counts would be much greater.
• Every change, however small, can have a great effect on the well being of the world. Together, combining our small initiatives, we can create great change.
• Everyday, people around the world help others and try to make changes to make our world a better place. People get together to make small things a big thing, people need to work as a team to make ordinary things important things.

What needs to change?

• The communication between every individual regarding the need to change our habits. Communication and dialogue are the tools that will shape the future of our planet.
• The kind of energy that people are using.
• People’s ignorance and blindness to the seriousness of the situation; people must become educated on the issue.
• Environmental degradation continues because many people still treat the issue with indifference. People should cooperate to improve our common home through sustainable developments.
• Young people should be more interested in being more hands on when it comes to decision making, especially if it has something to do with the earth.
• Use renewable energies, like nuclear energy.

Who is being challenged by this document?

• Pope Francis challenges everyone, especially the youth of the world, to be involved and informed about the degradation of the Earth.
• People of all religions, all around the world.
• The students who will have the document shared with them.
• The oil industry is being challenged.

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