1. Environmental clues from Genesis Living in Right Relationship with the Earth Bellarmine College Preparatory Sustainability Justice Summit March 2011
2. Introduction Steve Pinkston Bellarmine College Preparatory Director of Christian Service Education B.S. Biology (Pomona College) Master of Education (Claremont Graduate University) Master of Theology (University of San Francisco)
3. Preview Review: how do the three Creation Stories in Genesis invite humans to relate to the Earth? Genesis 1: 26 – 31 (Seven Days of Creation) Genesis 2: 8 – 9, 15 – 17 (Garden of Eden) Genesis 9: 8 – 17 (Noah’s Ark) Explore: for each story we will ask: Have we humans tried the model as prescribed in each story from Genesis? If so, how has it worked? Apply: can these stories affect our lives in ways that can help us to provide better environmental relationships and leadership?
4. Seven Days of Creation Volunteer reader: Genesis 1:26 - 31 God makes humans in God’s image. God’s creation is good. God invites us to do two things: Be fertile and multiply. Have dominion over the created world.
5. Have We Been Fertile & Multiplied? Be Fertile and Multiply source: The World at Six Billion, United Nations
6. Seven Days of CreationVerse 28 K.J.V. Have Dominion N.I.V. Rule Over Message Take Charge N.L.T. Govern it, Reign T.E.V. Bring it under their control
7. Seven Days of Creation Dominion = Domination? Jerome Biblical Commentary: Dominion = trample, tread down. Meant to show that humans’ existence on Earth would be laborious. In contrast to God’s effortless creation of Earth Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture: Babylonians worshipped sun and moon. Egyptians worshipped beasts and birds. Sama: Babylonian sun God Anubis: Egyptian jackal-headed God
8. Seven Days of Creation In this light… Human relationship to Earth = Domination The Chosen People were to trample or tread down birds and beasts, at least in part, to repudiate Egyptian and Babylonian religions.
9. Have We Tried Domination? Have dominion (domination) over the created world. Most scientists agree we’re living in Earth’s sixth great extinction event. Natural rate of extinction: 1 species per million per year. Harvard biologist Edward O Wilson, and other scientists, estimate that our current rate of extinction is 1,000 to 10,000 times the background rate. The World Conservation Union has assessed that 40% of Earth’s examined species are in danger of extinction: 1 in 4 mammals 1 in 8 birds 1 in 3 amphibians 1 in 3 conifers Source: The Earth Policy Institute http://www.earth-policy.org/index.php?/plan_b_updates/2004/update35
11. Garden of Eden Volunteer Reader: Genesis 2: 8 – 9, 15 - 17 God creates humans. God sets humans in the Garden of Eden to cultivate and care for it.
12. Garden of Eden Jerome Biblical Commentary: God is Earthier in comparison to the Cosmic God of the first creation story Human relationship to Earth = Tillers/Cultivators of the Land (Farmers) Earth is created almost solely for human’s use. If for no reason other than humanity’s sake, we must cultivate and care for the land.
13. Have We Tried Cultivating and Caring? As a species, in the United States, have we spent much time: Cultivating? Caring?
18. In 2010, Americans eat 222lbs of meat/year. (humane society)Source: National Corn Growers Association, World of Corn 2010
19. Have We Tried Cultivating and Caring? Does cultivating the land in a way that maximizes meat production/consumption help us care for the land? In the U.S., CAFOs generate 3 times as much manure as our nation’s entire human population (Mother Earth News) A United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization 2006 report estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to livestock - more than the emissions from planes, trains, automobiles, and boats combined. (physicians for social responsibility)
20. Cultivating and Caring? Does cultivating the land in a way that maximizes meat production/consumption help us care for the land? (continued) According to the Environmental Protection Agency, hog, chicken, and cattle waste has polluted 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states. (powered-by-produce) Is this what God had in mind?
21. Noah’s Ark Retell the story as a group. Volunteer reader: Genesis 9: 8 – 17 This is a CRUCIAL part of the story that gets forgotten! We humans, with “all living things as our partners” have entered a covenant with God.
22. Noah’s Ark Jerome Biblical Commentary: The covenant with Noah: Requires nothing on his part. Differs from other covenants. Between Yahweh and Abraham – presupposes his commitment to God. Between Yahweh and Moses/Israelites during the Exodus – requires continued loyalty. Extends to all creation. In this light… Human relationship to Earth = Covenant
23. Have We Tried Covenant? Maybe…in small scales. What are our challenges? Nothing is specifically required of us, so we’re left to reflect upon what to do…how to live. What does the church have to say? Catholic Social Teaching - Care for God’s Creation “We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God’s creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored. “ USCCB http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/ http://catholicclimatecovenant.org/catholic-teachings/other-catholic-voices/ What struck you? Is this helpful in articulating our covenantal relationship to God and Earth?
24. Moving Ahead: Covenantal Relationship We are called into a covenantal relationship with God and all living things. What might we do to honor that covenant more deeply, in our own lives and on campus? Realize that relationship, rather than technology alone, can draw us more deeply into the covenant. Commit to doing something. Network! Bring our desire for deeper covenant with Earth and God to prayer.
25. Covenantal Relationship Realize that relationship, rather than technology alone, can draw us more deeply into covenant. Company Magazine (the world of Jesuits and their friends), Winter 2008-2009 Loyola Chicago’s LEED certified Richard J. Klarchek Information Commons. Xavier’s electric car. Line-drying laundry at St. John’s in Belize.
26. Covenantal Relationship 2. Commit to doing something. SobratoCenter – Silver LEED Certification Mr. Reyerson – Rides his bike to school everyday Mr. Nevle & Mr. Urhausen – Grow & eat their own produce Mr. Cleary – Line dries his clothes Mr. Scherbart – Doesn’t eat meat & carpools to BCP. Mr. Lum – Buys his produce at a local farmers market Mr. Adams - refuses to use plastic bags / Composts at home. You - ???
27. Covenantal Relationship "Our present ecological crisis, the biggest single practical threat to our human existence in the middle to long term, has, religious people would say, a great deal to do with our failure to think of the world as existing in relation to the mystery of God, not just as a huge warehouse of stuff to be used for our convenience." - Archbishop Rowan Williams
28. Covenantal Relationship How would line-drying clothes draw us into deeper relationship with Earth? Connection to weather Connection to our ancestors Connection to our local air quality Could all Jesuit apostolates line-dry clothes? Experience in Italy this past summer Challenge: Could all students of Bellarmine line-dry clothes?
29. Covenantal Relationship Network! “Doing justice work is a little like dragging a piano across a plowed field.” Fr. Dan Berrigan, SJ We simply can’t do this alone. Furthermore, we are invited into relationship, which invites us to network. Challenge: in your environmental work on campus, 75% of it must involve multiple organizations.
30. Covenantal Relationship Bring our desire for deeper covenant with Earth and God to prayer. Prayer in community is crucial. If you do not participate in a worshipping community, I invite you to reconsider (CLC, 12:10 Liturgy, Monthly Liturgy, Youth group at your parish). If you do participate in a worshipping community, I invite you to explore how you might invite the community to consider our relationship to Earth in light of our faith.
31. Covenantal Relationship Bring our desire for deeper covenant with Earth and God to prayer. (continued) Individual prayer is crucial. Let’s try it! Thanks be to you God, for this day. For inviting me into rhythm, and rest, and conservation. In your light I see my limitations, And Earth’s fragile balance. I will walk to live lightly and in covenant with your creation. Thanks be to you God for this new day.
