Faith Meets Life: Urging for more green courses on college campuses
A few weeks ago I took a flight out of Ottawa and David Suzuki was seated a few rows back from me, which, I would guess, made almost everyone wonder if we really needed to be using a machine that spews greenhouse gases at an altitude of ten thousand metres.
Some years ago a few friends and I invited environmental scientist Dr. Calvin DeWitt to speak at the University of Western Ontario. DeWitt teaches at the University of Wisconsin and president of both the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies and the Academy of Evangelical Scientists and Ethicists. In an article published this month (The Banner, April 2007) he affirms the Oxford Declaration on Climate Change and calls for action now to combat the production and effects of greenhouse gas.
DeWitt draws on four main aspects of the declaration.
One: “Human-induced climate change is a moral, ethical, and religious issue.” Since God created the world to mirror his glory, all humans must take care of it, and since he calls all humans to care for their neighbours and for the common good, it is morally imperative to do what we can about climate change. Climate change means great suffering for the world's poorest.
Two: “The Earth's climate is changing, with adverse effects on people, communities, and ecosystems.” The burning of coal, oil and natural gas is creating global climate change. The environmental, economic and social consequences of this are becoming obvious. Coastal areas and island states are threatened. Disease and flooding threaten tens of millions of people.
Three: “Action is needed now, both to arrest climate change and to adapt to its effects.” The industrialized nations in particular are morally responsible to take the lead in this. The climate is now changing and further change is inevitable.
Four: “Christian churches and organizations need to take action.” People of faith must set an example through individual and collective action.
Assuming that government and industry will not by themselves be able to turn things around, what are some things that all of us can do right away? We should immediately stop driving large vehicles and rapidly scale back on the purchase of all fuel and energy consuming machines. We should immediately reduce our speed when possible, make use of bicycles and walk more often. We should rapidly change our vacation habits to stop traveling long distances, appreciating things that are nearer.
We should tell homebuilders that we do not want large homes anymore, but smaller, better designed ones. We should support locally produced food and other products and diminish our reliance on the long distance transport of consumer goods.
Finally, we must, with our political and economic leaders, work for an economy that is at war with pollution and that rewards green technology and investment. Among other things, this should result in a range of new green courses at community colleges.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
Some years ago a few friends and I invited environmental scientist Dr. Calvin DeWitt to speak at the University of Western Ontario. DeWitt teaches at the University of Wisconsin and president of both the Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies and the Academy of Evangelical Scientists and Ethicists. In an article published this month (The Banner, April 2007) he affirms the Oxford Declaration on Climate Change and calls for action now to combat the production and effects of greenhouse gas.
DeWitt draws on four main aspects of the declaration.
One: “Human-induced climate change is a moral, ethical, and religious issue.” Since God created the world to mirror his glory, all humans must take care of it, and since he calls all humans to care for their neighbours and for the common good, it is morally imperative to do what we can about climate change. Climate change means great suffering for the world's poorest.
Two: “The Earth's climate is changing, with adverse effects on people, communities, and ecosystems.” The burning of coal, oil and natural gas is creating global climate change. The environmental, economic and social consequences of this are becoming obvious. Coastal areas and island states are threatened. Disease and flooding threaten tens of millions of people.
Three: “Action is needed now, both to arrest climate change and to adapt to its effects.” The industrialized nations in particular are morally responsible to take the lead in this. The climate is now changing and further change is inevitable.
Four: “Christian churches and organizations need to take action.” People of faith must set an example through individual and collective action.
Assuming that government and industry will not by themselves be able to turn things around, what are some things that all of us can do right away? We should immediately stop driving large vehicles and rapidly scale back on the purchase of all fuel and energy consuming machines. We should immediately reduce our speed when possible, make use of bicycles and walk more often. We should rapidly change our vacation habits to stop traveling long distances, appreciating things that are nearer.
We should tell homebuilders that we do not want large homes anymore, but smaller, better designed ones. We should support locally produced food and other products and diminish our reliance on the long distance transport of consumer goods.
Finally, we must, with our political and economic leaders, work for an economy that is at war with pollution and that rewards green technology and investment. Among other things, this should result in a range of new green courses at community colleges.
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
