SolarPeace: Reflections on Corona and Easter

the articles «When it comes to Peace Today» and «Truly love Life and Creation», as well as the «New Year's address 2024: Only the non-violent will possess the land» with related links ...

● The Science ... Videos and articles from a global and local perspective, scientific articles and

reports, for example «Human-caused climate change is like an upward escalator for global temperatures», «The 2023 state of the climate report: Life on planet Earth is under siege. We are now in an uncharted territory.», «We have to make the governments take climate change seriously and put it at the top of their agendas.», «European Court of Human Rights: European governments have legal duty to act urgently on climate crisis», «A “moment of truth” for climate action says UN Secretary-General»

● Laudato Si’ ... "LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord" and “Laudate Deum”,

with related articles and scientists papers, as well as writings and videos on the interface of science, philosophy and religion ...

● Epilogue: You are Guardians ... Golden Bay High School, World Day of Prayer 2023,

A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand and Eco Church NZ

● P.S. ... "The Blue Flood" ...

Pakawau Beach Park, Golden Bay
Easter Sunday, 12.4.2020

Each year
Easter Sunday, Resurrection
Sunday, is a good opportunity to
ponder, to follow the resurrection of
Jesus Christ and to rise as well into a
new life, filled with the love of God
and with the consciousness of
the beginning: Take care
of the paradise.

Corona-Easter

Top

Reflections on Corona and Easter 1)

Here at Pakawau Beach Park during the Corona Lockdown at the beach, the full moon rises in the evening and the sun rises in the morning, birds singing in the air, the tide is coming and going perfectly, not too low and not too high, the earth is breathing peacefully and heavenly, the air is wonderful fresh and clean (even above some large cities around the world) and it feels to me like God’s creation is starting to heal during these quiet and humble days. Besides all the troubles, there is so much to be grateful, joyful and also humbled for.

Is it possible, that we overlook the larger picture of a world coming to rest, a world coming to sleep and hopefully to heal? Had we not been way over-busy lately, for quite long actually? Had we not been running our ‘engines’ too long, too loud and too dirty, all around the world? Is this Corona caused Easter break not really a heavenly gift for the world to heal, somehow for God's Creation to heal?

Why a corona, why putting the world on rest and do self-isolation exactly over Easter? At the beginning Jesus went into the desert, into self-isolation to talk with his Father and to resist the temptations. Are we following Him and trying to do likewise, are we using this break consciously similar? On Good Friday they had put a crown of thorns, kind of a corona, onto His head. The events over Easter 2000 years ago finally served the overwhelming purpose of cleansing and healing. The crown of thorns, the corona, was not the purpose, not the issue, it was only a part of and the beginning on the path to cleansing and healing. 2000 years ago, all of this had been overlooked and was not understood by most. This year a Corona had been put onto mankind all around the world and we might ask what could be our task during and after this prolonged Easter in self-isolation? Is there a greater purpose or opportunity for cleansing and healing once again?

Some voices already proclaim to return and to reopen the economy and businesses as quickly as possible or as I read in the news for example to increase dairy to fill the losses in tourism.

I wonder what comes out of it, I wonder whether we will continue or even increase our destructive, pollutive and unhealthy activities or whether we will start to focus and build on our good, positive and healthy activities?

I wonder whether we should remember the book of Genesis with the first instruction regarding to take care of the paradise we share and live in and the second instruction regarding our food (seed-bearing plants, grains from the fields and fruits from the trees)?^{2) and 3)}

And I wonder whether the world in general and New Zealand in particular might use this Corona-Easter as an opportunity and start to live truly sustainable and in harmony with nature, which means in harmony with God's Creation and therefore with God Himself, and to build up a so-called green economy? ³⁾

«My Father ... may your will be done.» - Amen

¹⁾ A first version of these reflections was published in the Pastoral Letter during Level 4 (Covid-19 Lockdown) by Knox Church, Christchurch, New Zealand, 14.4.2020 KnoxChurch.co.nz. Later this article had been mentioned and linked in their Pastoral Newsletter, 10.9.2020.

The first paragraph is also published in Animal Tales of Golden Bay, written and illustrated during lockdown by Claire Rose (published August 2020), to expand this creative educational children’s book with the question: «What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?» ²⁵⁾

Claire Rose writes in her book: «To our amazing God, who created all the incredibly diverse creatures for us to look after and enjoy, and who gifted all of us with our individual talents.»

²⁾ cf. «Then God said ... “Have many children, so that your descendents will live all over the earth and bring it under their control.» (Good News Translation) or «Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it.» (New Living Bible), Genesis 1:28

«God, the Lord, brought thus humans into the garden Eden. He transferred them the task to maintain and protect the garden.», Genesis 2:15

cf. «Then God said ... “I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat".» (Good News Translation) or «Then God said, “Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food.», Genesis 1:29

³⁾ see below the chapter «The Beginning ...» with Taking Bible study into reality and time, and further below the chapters «The Blessing ...» and «Laudato Si’ ...»

The Beginning

Top

«The Creation» ⁵⁾

The Beginning ...

«God, the Lord, brought thus humans into the garden Eden. He transferred them the task to maintain and protect the garden.» ^{4),
5)}

«No word of destruction was in God's speech! The creation history in the Old Testament is enormous and impressive. God created the light, separated the country from the water, let it become day and night, until he finally created life - plants, animals, humans.»⁵⁾

A monk once said «Without faith in God every activity for environmental protection is ineffective, because the meaning is missing.»⁶⁾ and we might ponder about it. However, let's start at the beginning and see what scripture tells.

The following is not intended to be all-explaining or all-knowing. It is intended to provide a basis for study, talk, thinking and understanding. It might help to recognise what God wants us to do, to recognise what is truly good for us, and it might be taken into account whenever we are called to make a decision, be it a political vote, a business decision or for example a private purchase.

In addition, the following is intended to bridge over and bring together those who have faith, but possibly don't seriously care for God's Creation, and those who stay away from churches (their private faith or belief not being questioned), but are engaged in caring and protecting our environment and nature.

The so-called «Ten Commandments» are fairly well known.⁷⁾ However, often overlooked are the very first commandments or instructions provided by the Bible in the book of Genesis.

⁴⁾ cf. Genesis 2:15

⁵⁾ cf. The book of pictures «The Creation» by Franz Alt with photos by Helfried Weyer is a special spirituell meditative journey (Franz Alt "Die Schöpfung", engl. "The Creation", Gütersloher Verlagshaus, ISBN: 978-3-579-06897-8).

And see Psalm 104 - In Praise of the Creator

⁶⁾ cf. Max Thürkauf - A prophet in the nuclear age, 8.4.2011 (link no longer available)

⁷⁾ cf. Exodus 20:1-17 and «The Sermon on the Mount ...», Matthew 5, 6, 7

1. Take care of the paradise

Top

Why are you here? Why are we here?

It is interesting to see, that the Bible offers a very clear answer. It is the first task given by God, firstly as God’s intention and very purpose to create mankind at all, and then, after God created mankind, in the actual mandate to take care of the paradise.

God’s intention and purpose to create mankind:

«Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”» ^{Genesis
1:26 (New International Version)}

«Let us make mankind in our image, to be like us. Let them be masters over the fish in the ocean, the birds that fly, the livestock, everything that crawls on the earth, and over the earth itself!» ^{Genesis
1:26 (International Standard Version)}

God’s mandate given to humans to take care of the paradise:

«And God blessed them, and said, “Have many children, so that your descendents will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals.» ^{Genesis
1:28 (Good News Translation)}

«Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”» ^{Genesis
1:28 (}^{New Living Bible)}

This was the very first commandment in the beginning.

This mandate is explained a few verses later with «work, care, maintain, protect, cultivate and guard» and can be summarised as "Take care of the paradise".

«The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.» ^{Genesis
2:15 (New International Version) and reference 8)}

«The LORD God took the man and placed him in the orchard in Eden to care for it and to maintain it.» ^{Genesis
2:15 (}^{NET Bible)}^{and reference 8)}

«Then the LORD God took the man and placed him in the garden of Eden to cultivate (To work, to serve, till, enslave) and keep it (To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to).» ^{Genesis
2:15 (}^{Commentaries Hebrew)}^{and reference 8)}

«Then the Lord God placed the man in the garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it.» ^{Genesis
2:15 (}^{Good News Translation)}^{and reference 8)}

God's great love for the world, the created paradise, is also reflected later in the famous words:

«For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son...» ^{John 3:16
(Good News Translation)}, and we should emphasis this clearly «For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son...» which provides us with every reason to try doing similar in loving and caring.

This great love of God for the world, for God's created paradise, is truly important for us and for our consciousness, and it is necessary within us to carry out our God given vocation to "Take care of the paradise". This God given love is a natural part of the human heart (unless we are tempted by egoism and greed), it is very visible for example among young children observing and caring for a tiny little insect on the table (unless already taught by adults to simply wipe it off the table), and besides in the Bible it is found in many other religions, spiritual traditions and books as well.⁹⁾

«If we learn to truly love life and creation, we will not continue to destroy ourselves or creation. ... Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm proposes building “cathedrals of hope.” ...».¹⁰⁾

⁸⁾ see also for example Earthkeeping and the Bible by Steven Bouma-Prediger, Jacobson Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan (published by Yale University, 2007), quoted and summarised further below in chapter "Taking Bible study into reality and time ..."

and see further below in the chapter «Laudato Si’ ...» the paragraph 67 in "CHAPTER TWO: GOSPEL OF CREATION" on page 49 in the Pdf-copy of the encyclical (184 pages, 1 MB)

⁹⁾ see a lovely example in the book «Heart to Heart: A Conversation on Love and Hope for Our Precious Planet» by the Dalai Lama.

This book tells nicely how we can carry out our vocation as God-image-bearing humans (see Genesis 1:26) to "Take care of the paradise" (see Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15 and reference 19 further below).

The text in the following illustration, "True change in the world will come through a change of the heart alone.", refers to God's great love for the world, which God wrote into our hearts (see «The new covenant...» in reference 18 further below) and which we all are called to share.

See the German translation «Dalai Lama „Von Herz zu Herz“, Eine Geschichte von Hoffnung und Liebe zu unserer Erde – Der Dalai Lama und ein Panda erzählen, wie wir unsere Erde achten und schützen können.», 8.4.2023

See «Heart to Heart: A Conversation on Love and Hope for Our Precious Planet», The Dalai Lama and a panda tell how we can respect and protect our Earth, «Complemented by charming illustrations, this book’s uplifting message is clear: while the planet’s forecast may be dire, each individual is able — and obligated — to harness personal power to help save it. This would make a life-affirming gift for people of all ages.», Publishers Weekly

For a solar age – with ethics and technology (German original: Für ein solares Zeitalter – Mit Ethik und Technik), Dr. Franz Alt, 27.5.2023, please see reference 8 in right side column for some outstanding quotes.

¹⁰⁾ see The sun does not send us a bill (German original: Die Sonne schickt uns keine Rechnung), Dr. Franz Alt, 24.6.2023

Animal Tales of Golden Bay
"Colouring Edition", a beautifully illustrated educational children’s book by Claire Rose with animals telling their own stories and drawings for the children to colour, including a short annex with the «Reflections on Corona and Easter» above. Suitable for school, Sunday school and home education. See Publishing-Flyer (with sample page) and Cover pages of the above displayed "Colouring Edition".

Animal Tales of Golden Bay,
"Photo Edition", with the animal stories, drawings and photos. See Publishing-Flyer (with sample page) and Cover pages of the above displayed "Photo Edition".

An other Golden Bay animal tale: Click the painting by Cath Welsh to see youtube video riding her wild horse swimming with a wild dolphin in Onekaka, Golden Bay, NZ, 1991

2. Eat grains, plants and fruits as provided by nature

Top

After creating mankind and giving them the task to take care of the paradise, God expressed his love for all humans:

«Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.» ^{Genesis
1:29 (New International Version)}

«I have provided all kinds of grain and all kinds of fruit for you to eat;» ^{Genesis
1:29}^{(Good News
Translation)}

This was the second commandment in the beginning.

God gave the food to be eaten as He provided it «for you to eat», which means fresh from the fields and fresh from the trees. In modern times however, most of our food is processed and refined for the purpose of storing it for an extended time, which is a prerequisite to run large scale food businesses. This processing and refining of the natural God-given food results in the loss of vital substances, causing health issues. The resulting so-called civilisation illnesses are especially caused by fabricated sugars, refined flours, fabricated fats and all the products containing those. In the beginning thousands of years ago and also 2000 years ago at the time of Jesus all this processing and refining of the natural food was simply not possible, as the technologies had not yet been invented. So it appears to be a good idea to look a little deeper into this, to stay away from these processed and refined food products and to eat healthy food as much as possible in the way it is provided by nature. ¹¹⁾

It is interesting to see, that it was a very long time after the beginning, just after the flood, that the Bible confirms a priority to eat grains, plants and fruits by declaring «As long as the world exists, there will be a time for planting and a time for harvest»¹²⁾ and thereafter in God's Covenant with Noah that «All the animals ... Now you can eat them, as well as green plants...»¹²⁾

The preference for a vegetarian diet remained and was highlighted in the first book of Daniel:

«But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or wine. So he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself. ... Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. ... And at the end of ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than all the young men who were eating the king’s food. ... To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams. ... In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom. And Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus.»¹²⁾

¹¹⁾ see i.e. the short brochure GGB Healthy through the right food (original LVA brochure), updated English original,

... or directly the free older copy GGB Healthy through the right food (older copy, 10 MB PDF) ,

... both published by the Society for Health Advice GGB (Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsberatung e. V., GGB),

... compare this short GGB brochure with confirming reports, i.e. «The cost of unhealthy food and poor nutrition: According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), how and what we eat leads to "hidden costs". Fat and sugar therefore have a high price. ... After evaluating 154 countries, the organization comes to the conclusion that the hidden costs of food account for almost 10 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP). In any case, it is "more" than 10 trillion dollars a year. According to their annual report on "the state of food and agriculture in the world" (Sofa), more than 70 percent of the hidden costs are due to unhealthy diets resulting from highly processed foods, fat and sugar. They can lead to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes or cancer and thus impair labor productivity. ... the external costs of beef production corresponded to 52 percent of the producer prices at the time; for pork it was 100 percent ...», "Was uns ungesunde Lebensmittel und falsche Ernährung kosten", FAZ, 6.11.2023 (translated with DeepL, bold fonts added)

«The State of Food and Agriculture 2023 (SOFA): This year's edition looks into the true cost of food for sustainable agrifood systems. The report introduces the concept of hidden environmental, health and social costs and benefits of agrifood systems and proposes an approach – true cost accounting (TCA) – to assess them. ...», FAO, 2023

see for example the study "Epithelial barrier theory in the context of nutrition and environmental exposure in athletes" which applies to non-athletes as well. "Epithelial barrier-damaging substances include surfactants and enzymes in cleaning products, laundry and dishwasher detergents, chlorine in swimming pools, microplastics, air pollutants such as ozone, particulate matter, and diesel exhaust. Athletes' high-calorie diet often relies on processed foods that may contain food emulsifiers and other additives that may cause epithelial barrier dysfunction and microbial dysbiosis.", Walter Kistler et al., 16.7.2024; Medical news: People are suffering more and more from skin, lung and intestinal problems, "One example for the skin and from sport is showering too often and using aggressive shower products. ... The damage to the barriers can be compared to open doors for toxins, germs, viruses, bacteria, but also for heat and cold.", Tagesanzeiger, 22.08.2024

Wholemeal Bread Recipes:

1. Wholemeal Bread - simple, good & tasty

2. Wholemeal Psyllium Bread - simple, soft & moist

Certified organic grains and freshly milled, stone ground flour and other cereal produce are available at Milmore Downs (North Canterbury, New Zealand).

See more food and health information and links in the section Our Health and here (Vollwertig), including interesting information and links on some other health-related topics such as «Radiation (Internet, 5G, Mobile Phone, Microwave)», «Artificial intelligence (AI)» and electronically generated bass-amplified «boom-boom-boom» noise (bass-culture).

¹²⁾ cf. «As long as the world exists, there will be a time for planting and a time for harvest», Genesis 8:22, and thereafter «All the animals, birds, and fish will live in fear of you. They are all placed under your power. Now you can eat them, as well as green plants; I give them all to you for food. The one thing you must not eat is meat with blood still in it ... because the life is in the blood.», Genesis 9:2, 9:3, 9:4 (Good News Translation)

cf. «But Daniel made up his mind ... Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink. ... they looked healthier and better nourished ... God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams. ...», Daniel 1:8-21

see also «Moving to a more plant-based diet is one of the biggest ways to cut your personal carbon emissions, but some people find cutting out meat altogether tricky» in «The people living ultra low-carbon lifestyles», Future Planet | Climate, BBC, 5th May 2023

and «Another large-scale change in a two-tonne world would be to our diets – especially moving to plant-based diets, says Julia Steinberger, professor of ecological economics at the University of Lausanne in Switzerland. "These are often cheaper as well. They require a bit of experimentation and a learning curve – cooking based on lentils, beans, tofu and other forms of plant protein, rather than meat or dairy – but are achievable by all."» in The people living ultra low-carbon lifestyles, Future Planet | Climate, BBC, 5th May 2023

and i.e. The climate benefits of veganism and vegetarianism, BBC, 29.4.2022

3. Don't attempt to know everything

Top

After creating mankind, giving them the task to take care of the paradise and providing food for all humans, God has set a restriction:

«You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden ^{Genesis
2:16}, except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad.» ^{Genesis
2:17}^{(Good News Translation)}

«..., but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil» ^{Genesis
2:17} ^{(New International Version)}

«..., except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong.»^{Genesis
2:17}^{(Contemporary English Version)}

«..., except the tree that gives knowledge of everything». ^{Genesis
2:17
(Good News Translation Footnote 2.17),}^{see also i.e. "Tree of the
knowledge of good and evil",} ^Wikipedia

This was the third commandment in the beginning.

This third commandment might be reflected upon regarding various activities and sciences of modern times.

More than ever, we attempt to know everything. But we are not God, we are humans, therefore we couldn't even handle to know everything, could we? Possibly we already achieved way too much knowledge, possibly we were and still are 'eating' too much from the tree of knowledge, and it appears that we sort of know too much and are not wise enough to handle that in a responsible way.

Examples are genetically engineering, agro chemistry (i.e. Glyphosat, Roundup, ...), nuclear technologies (nuclear energy and weapons), further exploitation and immense consumption of fossil energies, but also industrially produced and highly processed food, exaggerations regarding Internet, artificial intelligence (AI) and global 5G networks, or electronically generated bass-amplified «boom-boom-boom» noise (still called music by some).¹¹⁾

Jesus would say: “No more of this!”, just as he did likewise in the garden of Gethsemane. ¹⁴⁾

These might be examples of destructive human activities, some with uncontrollable or unknown consequences or effects on God's Creation, nature, health or wellbeing. However, quite often the consequences are very well known, but ignored for short term business profits (i.e. the polluting and peace-threatening effects of fossil and nuclear energies, or the health issues caused by processed and refined food such as fabricated sugar, refined flour and fabricated fats and all products containing those).¹¹⁾

Jesus would say: “No more of this!”, just as he did likewise in the garden of Gethsemane. ¹⁴⁾

The third commandment "Don't attempt to know everything" might also be reflected upon in the context of spiritual and religious claims by some who think to know the truth, the overall truth. God gave us a slice of truth to know and it appears very wise that God told us to stay away from attempting to know everything. We are just humans and simply can't know everything, neither in the smallest particles nor in the most far away galaxies, and certainly not in spiritual matters. There will always be something inside the smallest particle and beyond the most far away galaxy, and certainly something unknown above or in addition to any spiritual belief.

Some churches are waking up. The Anglican Church Nelson Diocese recently explained the book of Job (in which God shows limitations of human knowledge and understanding) being «a sober reminder that when it comes to the natural world, there are things we don't understand. The world is a vastly intricate, interconnected place. The appropriate human response is reverent awe and caution.» ¹³⁾

This naturally given limitation of our knowledge is also confirmed and reflected in many Bible verses telling us not to judge, but to live humbled in faith, trust and humility. This is explained for example with the words «... What I know now is only partial ... Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, love: and the greatest of these is love.» which refer to the highest commandment given to us and explained by Jesus. ¹⁴⁾

For example, we do not know the reasons why each one of us had been born in a different social, cultural and religious environment or country. We can only be faithful and trust that there are good reasons for this. Beside others, perhaps one reason for this existing cultural and religious variety is to learn to respect and to tolerate other people with love and compassion in our heart, independent of their faith, belief, religion or world view. ¹⁵⁾

This love and compassion in our heart refers to the greatest commandment given to us, which was lived and explained again and again by Jesus, who taught «Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ... Love your neighbour as yourself. ... Love your enemies...».¹⁴⁾

We may ponder about it and realise, that the highest commandments to «Love the Lord your God» and to «Love your neighbour» cannot be fulfilled without following the very first commandment to «Take care of the paradise» as well. All three are deeply interrelated to each other and cannot be separated. How could someone claim to love the creator while destroying or not caring for the creator’s creation? How could someone claim to love the neighbour while destroying the neighbour’s foundation of life? Both is not possible. As such the first commandment to «Take care of the paradise» can well be viewed as the foundation, prerequisite or starting point to obey the highest commandments «Love the Lord your God» and «Love your neighbour».

As we live here in this world on earth, we can only try to obey the greatest commandment «Love the Lord your God, Love your neighbour» very humbly and with humility within the framework of the very first commandment in the Bible to take care of God's Creation (which of course does include ourselves, all human beings, thus for example the second commandment in the Bible to eat as provided by God). How could we love our neighbour as ourselves without caring for God's Creation? This is not possible, so this greatest commandment of all, to love one another, is not only paramount but logical.

In John 8:31-32 «Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."»¹⁴⁾

This priority on Jesus' teachings is repeated for example in John 14 «If you love me, you will obey my commandments. ... Those who love me will obey my teaching. ... the Holy Spirit .. will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.»¹⁴⁾, which the Lord already told in the Old Testament to Ezekiel «And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.»¹⁴⁾

While the most well known and important teaching by Jesus is the «Sermon on the Mount»¹⁴⁾ the teaching by Jesus started already when God (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) created mankind and mandated humans with the God-given vocation to take care of the paradise.¹⁶⁾ Indeed, these words in the book of Genesis were the very first words spoken by God (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) to mankind, thus they were also the first words Jesus told to mankind.

John begins his famous Gospel with these magnificent words referring to Jesus: «In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him»¹⁶⁾

¹³⁾ cf. «In Celebration of Whale Poo», Courtnay Wilson, Creation Care Enabler at Anglican Church Nelson Diocese, 4.11.2021

and see «Then out of the storm the Lord spoke to Job ... “Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. ... Who decided how large it would be? ... What holds up the pillars that support the earth? ... Job, have you ever in all your life commanded a day to dawn? ... Have you..., Do you know..., Can you..., Who is it...», Job 38, Job 39, «Job, you challenged Almighty God; will you give up now, or will you answer? Job: I spoke foolishly, Lord. What can I answer?...», Job 40

see also A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand, "part of the A Rocha family of Christian environmental conservation organisations currently active in over 20 countries around the world."

and Eco Church New Zealand, "Churches across Aotearoa New Zealand actively caring for God’s earth as an integral part of their mission."

and see more related info and links at reference ²¹⁾below.

¹⁴⁾cf. «Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ... Love your neighbor as yourself.», Matthew 22:37, 22:38, 22:39, compare this with Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18

and «Love your enemies, do good too those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you.», Luke 6:27, 6:28

and «The Sermon on the Mount ... love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?», Matthew 5:44, 5:45, 5:46, also translated as «... Why should God reward you if you love only the people who love you? ...» (Good News Translation)

Jesus replied “No more of this!” (Luke 22:51) in the garden of Gethsemane. «When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.», Luke 22:49, 22:50, 22:51

and see «Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.», Matthew 5:9 and the entire «The Sermon on the Mount», Matthew 5, 6, 7

and see also e.g. «Jesus and the Samaritan woman», John 4, and «The arrest of Jesus: ... Put your sword back in its place, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.», Matthew 26:52

and watch the movie «The Chosen», «Come and see what they saw. Welcome to the first-ever multi-season series about the life of Christ. The free show tens of millions of people won’t stop talking about.»; for example the episodes «I Am He» (Season 1, Episode 8) and «Thunder» (Season 2, Episode 1) with examples regarding «Love your neighbor» and «Love your enemies»; Angel Studios, 2021

and see also «In the last days ... They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.!», Isaiah 2:2-5

and see «I may have ... but if I have no love, I am nothing. ... What I see now is like a dim image in a mirror ... What I know now is only partial ... Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, love: and the greatest of these is love.», 1 Corinthians 13:2, 13:12, 13:13 (Good News Translation)

and see also «So Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."», John 8:31-32 (Good News Translation) and «“If you love me, you will obey my commandments. ... “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. ... Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will obey my teaching. ... The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you.», John 14:15-26 (Good News Translation) and see for example «Again the word of the Lord came to me: ... "And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God.», Ezekiel 36:27-28 (New International Version)

¹⁵⁾see e.g. «Love your neighbour as yourself», published after the Christchurch mosque attacks, with additional links, Dolphin's Design Wolfgang W. Rehfus, March 2019

and see e.g. God's explicit blessing of all Moslems:
«The angel of the LORD found Hagar ... “I will increase your descendants so much that they will be too numerous to count. ... You are now pregnant and you will give birth to a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery.“ ...», Genesis 16:7 - 16:11 ("Ishmael" means "God hears"); and to Abraham God said: «And as for Ishmael, I have heard you: I will surely bless him; I will make him fruitful and will greatly increase his numbers. He will be the father of twelve rulers, and I will make him into a great nation.», Genesis 17:20; and then «God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation.”», Genesis 21:17, 21:18.

and see «Ishmael (Arabic: إسماعيل‎, Ismā‘īl) is the figure known in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam as Abraham's (Ibrahim) son, born to Hagar (Hajar). In Islam, Ishmael is regarded as a prophet (nabi) and an ancestor to Muhammad.», Ishmael in Islam and Ishmaelites, Wikipedia, and see also What does the Bible say about Muslims / Islam?, Bibleinfo.com

and see also «God, who made the world and everything in it, ... he created all races of people and made them live throughout the whole earth. He himself fixed beforehand the exact times and the limits of the places where they would live.», Acts 17:24, 17:26 (Good News Translation)

and see i.e. «So God made the two larger lights, the sun to rule over the day and the moon to rule over the night; he also made the stars.», Genesis 1:16 and «...the sun, the moon, and the stars. The Lord your God has given these to all other peoples for them to worship.», Deuteronomy 4:19 (Good News Translation)

and see «Divine Diversity, When the Gospel message goes out into the whole world, it's literally for the whole world. ... That God favours diversity should come as no surprise. When the Spirit comes at Pentecost, those on whom the Spirit descended “began to speak in other languages” (plural) so that all those in the crowd “heard them speaking in the native language of each”. ... Diversity, rather than uniformity, is affirmed ...», Courtnay Wilson, Creation Care Enabler at Anglican Church Nelson Diocese, 1.3.2023

Greta Thunberg, «Greta Thunberg full speech at UN Climate Change COP24 Conference», Youtube, 15.12.2018, «15 year old activist Greta Thunberg speaks truth to power at the UN COP24 climate talks.», and see FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE - Activist Speeches

How a 16-Year-Old Is Leading a Global Climate Movement
Youtube, 15.4.2019, «For hundreds of thousands of young people around the world, Greta Thunberg is an icon. Greta’s actions have earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and speaking engagements at the World Economic Forum and COP24 - but most importantly, they’ve encouraged students from all over the globe to stand up for Earth and their futures.»

Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World: More science, less Swedish teen, Stuff NZ, James Croot, 27.6.2021

Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World, TVNZ, 2021

«There are no longer any singular crises today. It's time to acknowledge that and address the underlying systemic issues. It has never been more obvious that we need an energy transition.» (translated with DeepL), Luisa Neubauer (Fridays for Future Germany) über Klima und Krisen, TAZ, 24.3.2022

How Fridays for Future keeps the climate relevant as other crises rage, DW AKADEMIE (Deutsche Welle), 25.03.2022

«Luisa Neubauer on the climate movement: "We are in a culture war", Climate activist Luisa Neubauer on the UN climate conference, Greta Thunberg and the question of why climate policy in Germany is so tough.», (translated with DeepL), Luisa Neubauer über die Klimabewegung: „Wir sind in einem Kulturkampf“, TAZ, 24.11.2023

see also FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE - Activist Speeches, e.g. "Why I became a climate activist — and you should, too | Luisa Neubauer | TEDxYouth@München", 11.7.2019

Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, «What Are We Fighting For?», Youtube video with speech at Bioneers 2016, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez gave this speech at age 16, but he was an environmental activist since age 6!

On Youtube you will find more impressive speeches by these and other young people which are peacefully engaged in the care for God's Creation, the global paradise we all share and live in.

The first three commandments in the Bible

Top

The first three commandments in the Bible (a) to take care of the paradise we live in, (b) to eat grains, plants and fruits, as provided by God Himself, and (c) to trust without knowing everything, appear to be the essence of the beginning and beyond.¹⁶⁾

These three initial commandments in the Bible give us every reason to decrease and stop our destructive, pollutive and unhealthy activities and to focus on and to build up our good, positive and healthy activities.

Besides obvious examples, such as reducing general waste, reducing plastic (e.g. NZ supermarkets recently did a good step by replacing plastic bags with paper bags) and reducing fuel consumption (e.g. to reduce driving in general and to stop the engine whenever the vehicle is not driving), three effective and good examples would be (a) to eat healthy non-processed food as given by God, (b) to build up organic farming and (c) to build up a so-called green economy.¹⁷⁾

It is interesting to recognise, that organisations such as «Greenpeace» already since decades and recently for example «Fridays for Future», and certainly not to forget the global peace movement (see «Love your neighbour... Love your enemies...») and others as well, do what God told us to do in the beginning. These children of God, which we all are, don't act on short term business profits, they act from their heart, they act with love and compassion to each other and to God's Creation, they act for peace between people, between countries and between mankind and nature, thus between mankind and God. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus preached «Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.»¹⁴⁾ Consciously or unconsciously, they live according to the words «By their fruit you will recognize them. ... it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not by faith alone.»¹⁸⁾

«By their fruit you will recognize them.» also translated as «You will know them by what they do. ... So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do. Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. ...»¹⁸⁾

2000 years ago, «Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. ...» ¹⁹⁾ and at another occasion Jesus said very clear: «Go, but do not sin again.» ¹⁹⁾ Today these young people from «Fridays for Future» go to the most powerful leaders of the world and tell them what they do wrong, what must be stopped and what needs to be done. This is just about exactly what Jesus would do today. Well worth thinking about, isn't it? ¹⁹⁾

Being told to «Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. ...»¹⁴⁾ also indicates an important priority on our heart and soul, as we may not be able to understand the Bible only with our logical thinking and often egoistic judging intelligence and with our ever reasoning intellect. This priority and importance on our heart is also reflected in the scripture, as God wrote the new covenant into our hearts and into our minds.²⁰⁾

In the end, we can only and very humble try to understand with our mind and with our heart, guided by true feelings of love and compassion in our heart.¹⁴⁾

The first three commandments in the Bible appear to be a good starting point to seriously take care of and to protect God's Creation, our environment and all nature.

If we fail to do this, we will reap what we sow, as explained in detail in chapter "The Science..." below and very briefly, for example, in the "Theological Introduction," but also in "Psalm 104" and "Revelation 11:18," which explicitly refers to those who destroy the earth.¹⁹⁾

«The majority of young people don’t believe that “the gospel” as embodied by the Church is good news for our world ... And we are not particularly honest about it; we tend to cherry-pick the stories we tell, and so we become uncredible. ... A more faithful church is the solution. ... In Israel’s Scriptures, God promises to put the whole world to right. The early Christians believed that God had decisively launched this project through Jesus, and that by the Spirit, they were charged with implementing and modelling this ‘putting to right project’, against the day when Jesus would return to complete the task. ... We must take seriously the call of Psalm 8, and Genesis 1:26-28. We need to step into the vocation which God-image-bearing humans have been given from the start...»²¹⁾

«My Father ... may your will be done.» - Amen

The chapter «Laudato Si’...» further below explores this in detail with the Encyclical Letter "LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord" by Pope Francis.²⁴⁾

¹⁶⁾cf. Genesis 1:26, Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15, Genesis 1:29, Genesis 2:16, Genesis 2:17

see also «In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him», John 1:1-3 (Good News Translation)

and see «So Jesus said to those who believed in him, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."», John 8:31-32 (Good News Translation)

and consider that our God-given vocation to «Taking care of Paradise» represents Jesus’ first words to mankind. «So, we need to ask ourselves why the very first three commandments of the Bible are not in our consciousness, why are they not in the focus and in the mission of most churches?», Theological introduction, 10.8.2023 (1 page)

¹⁷⁾ see «one recent report estimated the shift to a green economy could create 18 million jobs» in «The people living ultra low-carbon lifestyles», Future Planet | Climate, BBC, 5th May 2023

see also «Decolonising the imagination at Advent», «Repentance is about turning away from something. It’s an acknowledgement that there are certain things that disfigure, that despoil, that prevent us and others from living into the fullness of life God intends for all God’s creatures. We need to turn from these things so that we can turn towards the One who is already and always turned towards us. ... So get ready! ...», Courtnay Wilson, Creation Care Enabler at Anglican Church Nelson Diocese, 22.2.2023

and see below the chapter Taking Bible study into reality and time, and further below the chapters «The Blessing ...» and «Laudato Si’ ...»

¹⁸⁾cf. «By their fruit you will recognize them.» also translated as «You will know them by what they do. ... So then, you will know the false prophets by what they do. Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. ...», Matthew 7:16, 7:20, 7:21 (Good News Translation)

and cf. «My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? ... "Show me how anyone can have faith without actions." ... it is by our actions that we are put right with God, and not by faith alone.», James 2:14, 2:18, 2:24 (Good News Translation)

and see also «Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.», James 3:13

¹⁹⁾cf. «Jesus went into the Temple and drove out all those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers and the stools of those who sold pigeons, and said to them, "It is written in the Scriptures that God said, 'My Temple will be called a house of prayer.' But you are making it a hide-out for thieves!», Matthew 21:12, 21:13

and see «Go, but do not sin again.», John 8:11, and ponder what that could mean in its wider global context today?

See also Psalm 104 - In Praise of the Creator with all its praise, but also with its last verse regarding sinners, and compare that with «We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was, because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign. ... The time has come ... for destroying those who destroy the earth.», Revelation 11:17, Revelation 11:18

and see «Today, we literally live in biblical times, as the prophets have spoken for a long time, but the people didn’t listen, still don’t listen (not enough anyway), ... However, God’s Creation does include rules, the so-called laws of creation ...», Theological introduction, 10.8.2023 (1 page)

see also Passing it forward, "If we are grateful servants, we will acknowledge our gifts and give back in turn.", Courtnay Wilson, Creation Care Enabler at Anglican Church Nelson Diocese, 21.9.2023

and please listen carefully to the major FRIDAYS FOR FUTURE - Activist Speeches (see selected links in left column) and compare those unprejudiced with Jesus' speeches and teachings 2000 years ago not only in the Temple.

²⁰⁾see «The new covenant that I will make... I will put my law within them and write it on their hearts» (Good News Translation) or «I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts», Jeremiah 31:33, and «Now, this is the covenant that I will make... I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts.», Hebrews 8:10, and «This is the covenant that I will make... I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.», Hebrews 10:16

²¹⁾ Is the Gospel good news?, "...We must take seriously the call of Psalm 8, and Genesis 1:26-28. We need to step into the vocation which God-image-bearing humans have been given from the start. And when we do, we experience our vocation in and through the restoration and the reconciliation of us to God, of us to ourselves, of us to each other and us to the whenua. My observation is that young people want to be a part of something like that.", James Beck, associate pastor at The River Ōpāwaho Church in Ōtautahi Christchurch, A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand, 16.2.2023

see also A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand, "A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand is part of the A Rocha family of Christian environmental conservation organisations currently active in over 20 countries around the world. As a family, we focus on environmental science and research, practical nature conservation, environmental education, creation care and advocacy through a variety of programmes and initiatives."

and see also Eco Church New Zealand, "Churches across Aotearoa New Zealand actively caring for God’s earth as an integral part of their mission."

Taking Bible study into reality and time ...

Top

We will now look at three interesting, short and easy understandable articles, which help to expand and translate this Bible study into our reality and time. The following are fully quoted summaries. The first is «Earthkeeping and the Bible» ²²⁾ by Steven Bouma-Prediger, Jacobson Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan (published by Yale University, 2007), which provides enough food for thoughts in a separate Bible study related to our reality here on Earth.

The second and third articles are «For a solar age – with ethics and technology» and «Climate and churches face historic tipping point» ²³⁾ by Dr. Franz Alt (Studies of Political Science, History, Philosophy, Theology, Ph.D. Doctoral Thesis on Konrad Adenauer, books reached over 3.5 million copies and have been translated into 23 languages, most awarded German television journalist).

Earthkeeping and the Bible ²²⁾

Prof. Steven Bouma-Prediger, Yale University, 2007

«In debates among Christians concerning our responsibility toward the earth, the Bible is often cited to support various positions. ... It is important to carefully examine and interpret these oft-cited texts. ... Properly understood, Genesis 1 does not equate dominion with domination, Matthew 24 is not about “the Rapture,” and 2 Peter does not legitimate the destruction of the Earth. But in these debates some important biblical texts are often ignored. ...

Humans from the Humus: Genesis 2:4–15 ... Our calling is to be creation’s cops, serving and protecting this our earthly home so that it and we may flourish. Our God-given vocation is to bring about shalom — not only the absence of conflict but the flourishing of all things. ...

Covenant with Creation: Genesis 8:1–9:17 ... God’s covenant is with more than humans. Indeed, it is with the Earth itself. ...

Sabbath Rest: Leviticus 25:1–7 ... During this sabbatical year the land must be allowed to rest. Give the land some time off. Don’t push the limits of what the land can bear. ... The underlying principle here contains much wisdom. ... So that we and all God’s creatures will flourish.

All Creatures Praise The Lord: Psalm 148 ... This joyous psalm is an invitation calling on all creatures — in heaven and on Earth — to offer praise to God the Creator and Redeemer. ...

God’s Good Future: Isaiah 65:17–25 ... Like the prophet, we are to yearn for God’s good future of shalom — here on Earth. Our yearning is not to go to heaven, but for heaven to come to Earth, for God’s rule of peace and delight to be made fully real on Earth. ...

On Earth: Matthew 6:9–13 ... God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” ... God’s will is to be done on Earth — in our homes, schools, work- places. Today, right now, at this time may God’s will be done. ... Christian faith is not about going to heaven, but about heaven coming to Earth. It is about God’s will fully realized — that’s what heaven is — here on Earth. ...

Tenting Among Us: John 1:1–14 ... Literally it says “the Word became flesh and pitched his tent among us.” ... How then can we who embrace the Incarnation not also take seriously our call to care for the Earth?

Meeting the King: 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 ... Paul’s picture here is not about escaping from the Earth but about greeting the King as he returns to establish shalom on Earth. Christian eschatology is not escapist but earthly and earthy. And since our ethics is shaped by our eschatology, our actions in the present ought to reflect this earthly and earthy view of God’s good future.

A Renewed Earth: Revelation 21:1–5 ... John speaks of a renovated heaven and Earth. In keeping with so many previous biblical texts, God does not junk the world and start all over. God renews the Earth and brings it to fulfillment. ... All things renewed, refurbished, renovated, redeemed. God is the great Recycler.

Healing Leaves: Revelation 22:1–5 ... We are not our own. And the Earth is not ours to own. All we have is on loan, entrusted to us by God, to use for his glory and for goodly service to our neighbor in need. The Bible is clear. Being faithful earthkeepers is our human calling. ... May our witness in doing speak volumes about our being shaped by the biblical story and inspired to serve and protect the Earth for the greater glory of God.»

Read the full original article here: Earthkeeping and the Bible

and please see ...

Vicar General Writes: Lord of all creation - The importance of caring for the earth

Michael Hewat, Church of Confessing Anglicans Aotearoa New Zealand, 23.08.2024

²²⁾ cf. Earthkeeping and the Bible, Steven Bouma-Prediger, Jacobson Professor of Religion at Hope College in Holland, Michigan (published by Yale University, 2007)

see also for example: Steven Bouma-Prediger, "For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care" (Baker Academic’s ‘Engaging Culture’ series, 2010).

see also for example Confronting the Climate Crisis - Keeping Hope Alive in Challenging Times, a lecture hosted by the Inter Church Bioethics Council at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, 6.10.2023 (full video recording 1:29:40 on Youtube).

and see A reflection for the Season of Creation - There is one thing that we all are ..., Courtnay Wilson, Creation Care Enabler at Anglican Church Nelson Diocese, 19.9.2024

For a solar age – with ethics and technology ²³⁾

Dr. Franz Alt, 27.5.2023 (bold fonts are added in the following quotes)

German original: Für ein solares Zeitalter – Mit Ethik und Technik

«... Reconciling economy and ecology ... It may be complicated, but it is not hopeless. ...

Our present environmental crisis is an “inner world crisis.” We think we are doing what we know. Yet we don’t really do what we know. ...

Conservative and religious people trusted the wisdom of nature for thousands of years. But this trust is increasingly being shaken ... we must succeed in a second enlightenment as quickly as possible. This means thinking together technology and ethics, religion and philosophy, nature and reason, freedom and responsibility. Only in this way will an “eco-spirituality” emerge. ... If we do not understand this interdependence, our freedom will soon end in unfreedom. ...

It is always amazing how hard it is for conservatives in particular to understand these connections. Yet one of the central tasks of conservatives is to preserve creation. Oh, if only conservatives were really conservative!

After the Enlightenment, many intellectuals believed that we could emancipate ourselves not only from our self-inflicted immaturity, but also from nature. In just three hundred years, we robbed nature of the raw materials it had accumulated over millions of years, blew the waste into the air, and filled the resulting giant holes with vast amounts of garbage. Today’s economists call that progress. And now? What follows the growth mania after the Enlightenment? Do we create an enlightenment of enlightenment that helps us to organize the change that is now necessary? ...

God or money?

For three hundred years, economists have believed that money is the basis of all economic activity. However, it is nature that deserves this name and forms the basis of the economy. Doing business on a dead earth makes little sense and does not bring jobs.

Economy and ecology both come from the Greek word oikos for “to keep house”. The rule of money is the main disease of our time. “The attempt to separate numbers from values leads to the total domination of numbers,” writes the founder of the “common good economy,” Christian Felber. He continues, “The separation of economy and ecology is one of the greatest sins of economic science. ...

The multiplication of money does not make the world richer. We have created the most brutal poverty by wiping out about half of all species of life in the animal and plant kingdoms in the last fifty years. More money, but less wealth of life: Compared to this insane economy, theology is almost an exact science. ...

There can be a future only if we learn in the present to avoid the greatest mistakes of the past. Only then will we arrive in the real reality. Or in the divine order.

In the language of religion, God is identical with spirit and peace is another word for justice.

Energy crisis, refugee crisis and climate crisis are closely related. When we see these connections, we find solutions, and opportunities arise from crises. The key to solving all these crises is the energy crisis.

Spiritual sex: maturing instead of growing

We can mature spiritually, mentally, culturally or even religiously more and more, but never grow materially infinitely. Our material resources are limited, but the ideas of our mind are not. There is mind-sex. Pentecostal idea. Ideas can multiply, this is how progress and prosperity come about. And yet all the governments of the world propagate external economic growth. ...»

Read the full original article here: For a solar age – with ethics and technology

Climate and churches face historic tipping point ²³⁾

Dr. Franz Alt, 18.11.2023 (bold fonts are added in the following quotes)

German original: Klima und Kirchen vor historischem Kipppunkt

«A failure is a failure. The last few days have revealed a double historical failure.

The German churches are suffering a dramatic loss of meaning and significance and a wave of resignations so strong that they could disappear before the end of this century after 2,000 years of existence. ...

The UN has identified the second “complete failure of the world” in climate protection. ... This second tipping point: in 1990, the world emitted around 20 billion greenhouse gases per year into the atmosphere, today it is around 37 billion per year. ... UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres complains: “The world is failing to get the climate crisis under control ... We are on the way to climate hell and we are still stepping on the gas”. ...

The church tipping point: The collapse in trust in the churches is so dramatic that ... “church membership survey” ... it is not only church membership that is declining year on year, religiosity is also on the decline. Only 19 percent of Germans still believe that there is a God who reveals himself in Jesus. The authors of the study see both churches in Germany at a “tipping point”. ... People feel that the Christian churches and their theologians ... have turned Jesus’ message of joy into a threatening message that they are turning away from. This is the real failure of the churches. ... more and more people today say: “Jesus yes, church no”...

The historical realization that people are capable of learning gives us hope. ... The world needs a “revolution of compassion”. ...»

The above quoted comments from «Climate and churches face historic tipping point» by Franz Alt and the results of the therein mentioned church membership survey certainly apply to other countries as well. And the call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres «Making peace with nature is the crucial task of the 21st century. It must be a top priority for everyone, everywhere.» (see chapter "The Science" below) should be fundamental, especially for churches.

Before we continue with chapter «Laudato Si’...» and the Encyclical Letter "LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord" by Pope Francis, first let's have a break with chapter «The Blessing ...». Watch the video «The Blessing Aotearoa», be inspired by the writings «Song of Waitaha - Nation of Peace» (see right column), ponder the articles «When it comes to Peace Today» and «Truly love Life and Creation» by Dr. Franz Alt as well as the «New Year's address 2024: Only the non-violent will possess the land» by Dr. Eugen Drewermann, Theologian.

After that break, please read some interesting quotes in the chapter «The Science ...», with articles and links from a global perspective (see left column) and from a local New Zealand perspective (see right column), as well as a collection of interesting and up-to-date scientific yet easy understandable reports, which provide scientific background to continue with chapter «Laudato Si’...».

²³⁾ cf. For a solar age – with ethics and technology (German original: Für ein solares Zeitalter – Mit Ethik und Technik), Dr. Franz Alt, 27.5.2023 (the weekend of Pentecost)

see also “Climate change is the greatest challenge facing humanity” – new status report on climate change and health, Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Germany, 3.6.2023

«More heat-related deaths, new and increasing infectious diseases, increased exposure to allergens, a rise in antibiotic resistance, more lung diseases as a result of increasing air pollution, more skin cancer due to increased UV radiation – these are some of the negative consequences of climate change for public health. ...»

and see The one-dollar revolution, (German original: Die Ein-Dollar-Revolution), Dr. Franz Alt, 3.6.2023

«Can we rich Europeans help reduce child labor, exploitation and pollution in poor countries, too? Yes, we can. The European Parliament has just passed a relatively strict supply chain law. ... In addition to the justice issue, if we are to survive, we must solve the climate issue. Our current energy diseases, dementia fossilis and dementia atomica, are curable. Any investment in renewable energy promises both ecological and economic gains. Solar and wind energy are already the cheapest energy sources globally. ...»

and see Climate and churches face historic tipping point, (German original: Klima und Kirchen vor historischem Kipppunkt), Dr. Franz Alt, 18.11.2023

see book «Nach Corona – Unsere Zukunft neu gestalten» ("After Corona - reshaping our future"), Franz Alt, Patmos Verlag. 2021

See also «We are the first generation to cheat God and play evolution backwards. ... “Laudato Si” ... perhaps the most valuable and important conservative document of our time. It is about nothing less than the preservation of creation and a fairer world as Jesus foresaw in his Sermon on the Mount. ... Only the seriousness and clarity of thought of the “Fridays For Future” movement seems to have woken many conservatives up. ...», The magic word of the conservatives (German original Das Zauberwort der Konservativen), Dr. Franz Alt, 08.05.2024.

See also «UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on 1 December 2020: “Making peace with nature is the crucial task of the 21st century. It must be a top priority for everyone, everywhere.”», Guterres warns of “climate hell” (German original Guterres warnt vor „Klimahölle“), Dr. Franz Alt, 8.6.2024

A “moment of truth” for climate action says UN Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 05 June 2024

and see «For human life to exist, everything must be in a certain balance. US climate researcher Michael E. Mann: “Human civilisation has existed for just under 6,000 years, that’s 0.0001 percent of the Earth’s history – a fleeting moment in geological time."», Fastest rise in CO2 in the last 50,000 years, (German original: Schnellster Anstieg des CO2 in den letzten 50.000 Jahren), Dr. Franz Alt, 22.6.2024

See chapter «The Science ...» further below for more articles and links from a global perspective and from a local New Zealand perspective, as well as some up-to-date scientific yet easy understandable reports.

The Blessing

Top

see «His legacy – recorded in our common book: “We are one humanity on one earth under one sun.”

“Do you have such a thing as a survival program for humanity?” I asked Gorbi shortly before his death.

“Yes, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount,” the former Communist leader said.», Gorbachev wanted a world free of nuclear weapons
(German original: Gorbatschow wollte eine atomwaffenfreie Welt, translate with DeepL), Dr. Franz Alt, 30.8.2023

The Blessing ...

The Blessing Aotearoa,

«As the world aches ... God's Blessing over all people, everywhere ... and your family and your children, and their children, and their children ...»

Produced by Brooke and Grant Norsworth,

St Paul's Lutheran Community Church, Upper Moutere, New Zealand 2020

When it comes to Peace Today ...

«When it comes to peace today, it is not only about military disarmament, but also about peace with nature – because we are already waging the third world war against nature and thus against ourselves and against our children. We are a part of nature. Today, every day we exterminate 180 animal and plant species, lose 80,000 tons of fertile soil, increase deserts by an additional 50,000 hectares, and blow 150 million tons of greenhouse gases into the air. Every day! The planet cannot withstand this in the long term...»

Quotes from The future belongs to renewables (German original: Die Zukunft gehört den Erneuerbaren), Dr. Franz Alt, 19.11.2022

«Making peace with nature is the crucial task of the 21st century»

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, 1.12.2020

Guterres warns of “climate hell” (German original Guterres warnt vor „Klimahölle“), Dr. Franz Alt, 8.6.2024

Truly love Life and Creation ...

«If we learn to truly love life and creation, we will not continue to destroy ourselves or creation. If we want to stop climate change, we need exactly this change of consciousness. ... Solar energy turnaround, ecological transportation turnaround, organic agriculture turnaround, regional water turnaround, sustainable forest turnaround, equitable resource turnaround, intelligent research turnaround, engaging with the cycles and rhythms of nature. We are probably the first generation to recognize the need for all these turnarounds, but probably the last to fundamentally change them. The necessary transformation is the greatest challenge of the generations living today. ... What might that mean for political parties that are fit for the future? Grab the ministries of energy, construction, transportation and agriculture when the next government is formed and create sustainable policies for the next generations. ... Changing course ecologically is also the smartest thing we can do economically now at the beginning of the new decade. Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm proposes building “cathedrals of hope.” ... In Jesus’ mother tongue, Aramaic, love is identical with joy of life and peace. ... Sermon on the Mount: “The Father’s sun shines for all“. What a promise 2,000 years ago. ...»

Quotes from The sun does not send us a bill (bold fonts added, German original: Die Sonne schickt uns keine Rechnung), Dr. Franz Alt, 24.6.2023

Please see also The hottest day in history (German original: Der heißeste Tag der Geschichte), Dr. Franz Alt, 7.7.2023; and "I don't want to be my grandchild" (German original "Ich möchte nicht mein Enkel sein", translate with DeepL), Dr. Franz Alt, 15.7.2023 and Heat record after heat record - This extreme heat is man-made - Our earth has fever (German original Hitzerekord um Hitzerekord, translate with DeepL), Dr. Franz Alt, 29.7.2023

and "When will we finally begin to understand the power of the Sermon on the Mount?" in Nuclear weapons are weapons of terror (German original "Wann fangen wir an, endlich die Kraft der Bergpredigt zu verstehen?" in Atomwaffen sind Terrorwaffen), Dr. Franz Alt, 4.8.2023; and "An ecological economic miracle is possible" (translate the German original "Ein Ökologisches Wirtschaftswunder ist möglich" with DeepL), an Interview with Dr. Franz Alt related to the anniversary of Hiroshima on 6th. August (topics are renewable energies, climate change, peace, nuclear power and weapons, Ukraine and Mayors for Peace), 5.8.2023

Song of Waitaha: Histories of a Nation

«For years New Zealand archaeologists have been puzzled by a people who lived without weapons and created trading systems that moved industrial stone the length of the country. These writings explain they were a peaceful confederation ...»,

Barry Brailsford, First published 24.11.2006, 311 pages, Hardcover, ISBN 9780958337816 (ISBN10: 0958337810)

Song of Waitaha - Nation of Peace

«... the time had come for the philosophy of Waitaha to be brought back into the World of Light, Te Ao Marama, ‘to heal the people and to heal the land’ because Waitaha are a people of Peace and adhere to the philosophy of Rongomaraeroa, keeper of all things peaceful, truth and aroha, compassion.», Waitaha nation of peace

New Year's address 2024: Only the non-violent will possess the land - Dr. Eugen Drewermann, Theologian
Neujahrsansprache 2024: Nur die Gewaltlosen werden das Land besitzen – Dr. Theol. Eugen Drewermann,
Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsberatung GGB e.V., Dr. Max Otto Bruker Stiftung, 01.01.2024 (translate with DeepL)

Watch the YouTube video "New Year's address 2024 - Dr. Eugen Drewermann: On a possible peace in the Middle East" with activated English Subtitles in YouTube „Settings / Subtitles / Auto-translate / English“, (e.g. "And violence is a great opportunity to respond with non-violence.", 1:01:58 / 1:22:18, Neujahrsansprache 2024 - Dr. Eugen Drewermann: Zu einem möglichen Frieden im Nahen Osten). You can use the arrow keys on your keyboard to go 5 seconds forwards/backwards.

See PDF "Sonderdruck Februar 2024: Der Gesundheitsberater ... Dr. theol. Eugen Drewermann: Nur die Gewaltlosen werden das Land besitzen – Zu einem möglichen Frieden im Nahen Osten", (12 pages, 620 KB, translate with DeepL).

The Science

Top

The global situation summarized
in some YouTube videos ...

... or watch it on Vimeo ...

#Film4Climate 1st Prize Short Film Winner - “Three Seconds”

... and see this comment by
«C Randolph, (August 2021): These are the types of things I'm inclined to say when I am teaching Bible study. Man has gotten so self-sufficient and wise that they don't listen to or acknowledge the Creator. Then they deny His existence and ruing the home He has made for homo sapiens. Really, what would you personally do if you allowed someone to live in your pristine home only to find that they all but destroyed it in a matter of days? Likely you would evict them (not finish the destruction of the home!). Be patient; that 4th second will come when He "bring[s] to ruin those ruining the earth." (Revelation 11:18)»

... and watch this wonderful educational video (1:24): A Life on Our Planet David Attenborough, 15 Apr 2021

... and Our Planet: Too Big To Fail video (42:48),

«Our economy is fundamentally underpinned by the stability and the resilience of the natural world. But this stability is no longer guaranteed. Our Planet: Too Big To Fail is a 42 minute film that explores the risks of inaction, the impact of investing-as-usual, and the role the finance sector can play in powering a sustainable future.", OurPlanet.com

Our Planet: Our Business (38:11), «What we do in the next ten years will profoundly impact the next few thousand years.», OurPlanet.com

and see “A nuclear power plant is not a Märklin railroad” (German original: „Ein AKW ist keine Märklin-Eisenbahn“), Dr. Franz Alt, 17.12.2022

and "Safety for a million years?" (German original: "Sicherheit für eine Million Jahre?"), Dr. Franz Alt, 29.12.2022

and see Nuclear weapons are weapons of terror (German original Atomwaffen sind Terrorwaffen), Franz Alt, 2.8.2024

and see also UN-Resolution «Climate Change by Radioactivity», SolarPeace.org, 7.8.2009

see «His legacy – recorded in our common book: “We are one humanity on one earth under one sun.”

“Do you have such a thing as a survival program for humanity?” I asked Gorbi shortly before his death.

The Science ...

Human-caused climate change
is like an upward escalator for global temperatures

«The entire planet sweltered ... “The increasing heating of our planet caused by fossil fuel use is not unexpected, it was predicted already in the 19th century after all,” said climate scientist Stefan Rahmstorf at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Research in Germany. “But it is dangerous for us humans and for the ecosystems we depend on. We need to stop it fast.” ... climate change is reaching into uncharted territory. ... Human-caused climate change is like an upward escalator for global temperatures, and El Nino is like jumping up while standing on that escalator, Arndt said. ...»

Quoted from Monday may have set a global record for the hottest day ever. Tuesday broke it, Stuff/AP, 6.7.2023

See also Red alert: Record-high ocean temperatures, Helmholtz-Klima-Initiative 2023, 9.6.2023; New data show a worsening of the climate crisis, MCC (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change) 2023, 10.6.2023; The world is burning, (German original: Die Welt brennt), Dr. Franz Alt, 10.6.2023: «It’s too dry around the world. 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2022 were drought years. That’s why forests are burning in the Urals, California, south of Berlin, Canada, Scandinavia, Spain and Siberia. The forest fires are getting worse every year. ... in New York, people have been breathing the unhealthy smoke from Canada’s forest fires since this week ... science warns that this is all just the beginning ...»

Record-breaking Heat in the Summer of 2022 Caused more than 61,000 Deaths in Europe , Barcelona Institute for Global Health, ISGlobal 2023, 11.7.2023; Second heat wave in as many weeks grips Mediterranean while fires hit Spain, Switzerland and Greece, Stuff/AP, 19.7.2023; Gloomy climate calculation: Scientists predict a collapse of the Atlantic ocean current to happen mid-century, 28.07.2023, University of Copenhagen, Science Media Center 2023; Earth Overshoot Day 2023 falls on August 2 - Country Overshoot Days by Global Footprint Network, Geneva, SWITZERLAND; and "The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is more urgent than ever before. Climate action is not a luxury but a must.", BBC, 28.7.2023; Antarctica is missing sea ice and scientists don’t know why, Stuff/Sydney Morning Herald, 5.8.2023.

Earth's vital signs have never been worse, climate scientists warn, Stuff/NineNews, 28.10.2023 (see below «Life on planet Earth is under siege. We are now in an uncharted territory.» with selected quotes from the original report «The 2023 state of the climate report: Entering uncharted territory», Oxford University Press BioScience, 24.10.2023); Recent atmospheric drying across Europe unprecedented in the last 400 years, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, 27.12.2023; Scientists explain why the record-shattering 2023 heat has them on edge. Warming may be worsening, «I do not consider it realistic that we can limit warming (averaged over several years) to 1.5C, ... It is technically possible but politically impossible. ... The slow pace of climate action and the continued disinformation that catalyses it has never been about lack of science or even lack of solutions: it has always been, and remains, about lack of political will.», Stuff/AP, 13.1.2024

Life on planet Earth is under siege.
We are now in an uncharted territory.

Quoted from «The 2023 state of the climate report: Entering uncharted territory» (with more than 15,000 scientist signatories),
Oxford University Press BioScience, 24.10.2023

«Life on planet Earth is under siege. We are now in an uncharted territory. For several decades, scientists have consistently warned of a future marked by extreme climatic conditions because of escalating global temperatures caused by ongoing human activities that release harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Unfortunately, time is up. We are seeing the manifestation of those predictions as an alarming and unprecedented succession of climate records are broken, causing profoundly distressing scenes of suffering to unfold. We are entering an unfamiliar domain regarding our climate crisis, a situation no one has ever witnessed firsthand in the history of humanity. In the present report ... diverse set of vital signs of the planet and the potential drivers of climate change and climate-related responses ... now with more than 15,000 scientist signatories. The trends reveal new all-time climate-related records and deeply concerning patterns of climate-related disasters. At the same time, we report minimal progress by humanity in combating climate change. ... It is the moral duty of us scientists and our institutions to clearly alert humanity of any potential existential threat and to show leadership in taking action...

It appears the green recovery following COVID-19 that many had hoped for has largely failed to materialize (...). Instead, carbon emissions have continued soaring, and fossil fuels remain dominant, with annual coal consumption reaching a near all-time high ... Although the consumption of renewable energy (solar and wind) grew a robust 17% between 2021 and 2022, it remains roughly 15 times lower than fossil fuel energy consumption ...

Humanity is not on track to end and reverse deforestation by 2030, despite pledges by more than 100 world leaders in 2021 at COP26 (UNEP 2022a). Moreover, forests are increasingly threatened by powerful climate feedback loops involving processes such as insect damage, dieback, and wildfire ... For example, the historical record-setting wildfires in Canada...

Ocean acidity, glacier thickness, and Greenland ice mass all fell to record lows (...), whereas sea level rise and ocean heat content rose to record highs (...). The increase in heat content and the rapid rise in sea surface temperatures ... and a rise in the intensity of large tropical storms (...). There are also growing concerns that the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation could pass a tipping point and start to collapse ..., which would significantly alter global precipitation and temperature patterns with potentially major harmful consequences for ecosystems and society...

Climate change is contributing significantly to human suffering ... In 2023, climate change likely contributed to a number of major extreme weather events and disasters. Several of these events demonstrate how climate extremes are threatening wider areas that have not typically been prone to such extremes ...

Economic growth, as it is conventionally pursued, is unlikely to allow us to achieve our social, climate, and biodiversity goals. The fundamental challenge lies in the difficulty of decoupling economic growth from harmful environmental impacts ... We therefore need to change our economy to a system that supports meeting basic needs for all people instead of excessive consumption by the wealthy ...

By the end of this century, an estimated 3 to 6 billion individuals—approximately one-third to one-half of the global population—might find themselves confined beyond the livable region ... Therefore, we must shift our perspective on the climate emergency from being just an isolated environmental issue to a systemic, existential threat. ... We need policies that target the underlying issues ... To address the overexploitation of our planet, we challenge the prevailing notion of endless growth and overconsumption by rich countries and individuals as unsustainable and unjust (...). Instead, we advocate for reducing resource overconsumption; reducing, reusing, and recycling waste in a more circular economy; and prioritizing human flourishing and sustainability. ... We warn of potential collapse of natural and socioeconomic systems in such a world where we will face unbearable heat, frequent extreme weather events, food and fresh water shortages, rising seas, more emerging diseases, and increased social unrest and geopolitical conflict. ... This is our moment to make a profound difference for all life on Earth, and we must embrace it with unwavering courage and determination to create a legacy of change that will stand the test of time.»

Quoted from «The 2023 state of the climate report: Entering uncharted territory» (with more than 15,000 scientist signatories),
Oxford University Press BioScience, 24.10.2023

«Today, we literally live in biblical times, as the prophets have spoken for a long time, but the people didn’t listen, still don’t listen...»,
Theological introduction, SolarPece.org, 10.8.2023 (1 page)

«Governments plan to produce double the fossil fuels in 2030 than the 1.5°C warming limit allows ...“Governments are literally doubling down on fossil fuel production; that spells double trouble for people and planet,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We cannot address climate catastrophe without tackling its root cause: fossil fuel dependence.», UN – Environment Programme 2023 / Sonnenseite.com, 09.11.2023

«We have to make the governments take climate change seriously and put it at the top of their agendas.»

Quote by Piers Forster, professor of climate physics at the University of Leeds in England, in UN warns 'an era of global boiling' has started. But what does that mean?, Stuff/The Washington Post, 30.7.2023

«European governments have a legal duty to act urgently on the climate crisis», A TRIAL LIKE NO OTHER, Global Legal Action Network (GLAN); Climate case filed with European Court of Human Rights by Portuguese young people against 33 states., GLAN/Youtube, 4.9.2020; Kids taking countries to court for climate change, BBC/Youtube, 19.1.2022; «The European Court of Human Rights was created after World War II to hold European governments accountable when they fail to protect human rights. Now six children and youth from Portugal are suing 32 European governments for their lax climate change policies. At stake is nothing less than the question of humanity’s survival.», Six children and young people against 32 governments - It’s about the most groundbreaking lawsuit ever., Dr. Franz Alt, 30.09.2023.

“Grannies” take Switzerland to court to demand more action on climate change, «A group of older women called Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland has brought a case before the European Court of Human Rights to force Switzerland to do more on climate change. ... The retirees are using the Swiss constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights as the basis for their action, arguing that the state has a duty of care to protect the right to life.», Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), 8.12.2023 (for details see KlimaSeniorinnen Schweiz, Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland).

«European Court of Human Rights has condemned Switzerland: Climate protection is a human right. ... The judges confirm that states violate human rights if they do too little to protect the climate. The human rights complaint of the Swiss climate seniors was upheld.» (German original: Europäischer Menschenrechtsgerichtshof hat die Schweiz verurteilt: Klimaschutz ist Menschenrecht , translated with DeepL), Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH), 9.4.2024; European court rules human rights violated by climate inaction, BBC, 9.4.2024; We won! A historic victory: On 9 April 2024, the Grand Chamber of the Court ruled our case that Switzerland is violating the human rights... (including key documents and other articles including the Swiss case), Senior Women for Climate Protection Switzerland, 9.4.2024; Just a sham victory for climate protection in Strasbourg? (German original In Straßburg nur ein Scheinsieg für den Klimaschutz?), Dr. Franz Alt, 13.04.2024.

«UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said ... “Making peace with nature is the crucial task of the 21st century. It must be a top priority for everyone, everywhere.” Following the latest alarming reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Guterres declared: “These reports must sound the death knell for coal and fossil fuels before they destroy our planet. If we join forces now, we can still avert the climate catastrophe.” ... “We are playing Russian roulette with our planet… We need an exit from the highway to climate hell.” ... “Billions of dollars have been spent distorting the truth, deceiving the public and sowing doubt,” said the world’s highest-ranking politician. At the same time, he suggested the introduction of levies on shipping, aviation and the fuel industry. “Many in the fossil fuel industry have been shamelessly greenwashing and trying to delay climate action – with lobbying, legal threats and gigantic advertising campaigns… We cannot accept a future in which the rich are protected in climate-controlled bubbles while the rest of humanity is ravaged by deadly weather in uninhabitable countries,” said Guterres. After his speech, Guterres said that every individual must get involved: In elections, to bring politicians to power who were serious about climate change and through their own commitment to more climate protection. He thanked the young people who were doing this. “You are on the right side of history,” he said. “Carry on.”»

Guterres warns of “climate hell” (German original Guterres warnt vor „Klimahölle“), Dr. Franz Alt, 8.6.2024

«... Every fraction of a degree of global heating counts, he said. “The difference between 1.5 and two degrees could be the difference between extinction and survival for some small island states and coastal communities. The difference between minimizing climate chaos or crossing dangerous tipping points. 1.5 degrees is not a target. It is not a goal. It is a physical limit.” “Scientists have alerted us that temperatures rising higher would likely mean: The collapse of the Greenland Ice Sheet and the West Antarctic Ice Sheet with catastrophic sea level rise; Destruction of tropical coral reef systems and the livelihoods of 300 million people; Collapse of the Labrador Sea Current that would further disrupt weather patterns in Europe; And widespread permafrost melt that would release devastating levels of methane, one of the most potent heat-trapping gasses,” said Mr Guterres. He set out a five-point plan of action. ...»

A “moment of truth” for climate action says UN Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 05 June 2024.

Please see more related articles and scientists papers, as well as writings and videos on the interface of science, philosophy and religion in the next chapter «Laudato Si’...» (right column).

The local situation in more detail on the example
of Aotearoa New Zealand ...

Nature's dangerous decline is accelerating. Why? It’s us, 18.10.2021

Watch «This Is How It Ends ...» in the seven episodes Seabirds, Native Birds, Oceans, All creatures great and small, Fresh Water, The Endangered Forest, The Island.
«... Biodiversity came before humans. The creator created many things, including... and it's our responsibility to look after them. ... We are at crisis point. Unfortunately, the way we feed and fuel our 21st century lifestyle is unsustainable, we have fundamentally changed the planet. And it’s completely getting out of balance.»

If we don't change our ways, we won't survive extinction, 18.10.2021

The Detail: Our threatened native species and This Is How it Ends, 18.10.2021

This Is How It Ends: Extinct within our lifetime, so why is it so hard to save some species?, 20.10.2021

"Human activities are destroying the natural world, leading to the annihilation of animal and plant species at a terrifying rate. Stuff's «This Is How It Ends» is a documentary series investigating the critical decline of native species.", This Is How It Ends: Serving up the true cost of consumption to our most vulnerable creatures, Stuff with support from NZ on Air, 17.10.2021

see also "Club of Rome leader in Glasgow: Enough with the damned complacency, «... 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the publication of the legendary foundational text "The Limits to Growth". ...»; German article: «Club of Rome»-Chefin in Glasgow: Schluss mit der verdammten Selbstgefälligkeit, Tagesanzeiger, 09.11.2021; Please translate this interesting article easily with DeepL...

Ocean treaty: Historic agreement reached after decade of talks, «Nations have reached a historic agreement to protect the world's oceans following 10 years of negotiations. The High Seas Treaty aims to place 30% of the seas into protected areas by 2030, to safeguard and recuperate marine nature. The agreement was reached at UN headquarters in New York. ... putting aside differences and delivering a treaty that will let us protect the oceans, build our resilience to climate change and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of billions of people. This is a historic day for conservation and a sign that in a divided world, protecting nature and people can triumph over geopolitics. ... Countries will need to meet again to formally adopt the agreement and then have plenty of work to do before the treaty can be implemented.», BBC News, 6.3.2023

Oceans littered with 171 trillion plastic pieces, «New estimates suggest that plastic pollution in the oceans has risen dramatically since 2005.», BBC News, 9.3.2023

Great Barrier Reef: Australia confirms new mass bleaching event ("...water temperatures ... up to 4C above the March average."), BBC, 25.3.2022

"Japan will start releasing treated and diluted radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean", «...”The tanks have reached full capacity, and so the treated water now has to be released” the company said... "This decision violates the spirit of the UN Ocean Decade and the recently passed High Seas Treaty...», «Japanese back treated nuclear wastewater release but fearful of damage to seafood sector», Stuff, 24.8.2023

... please see more articles on nuclear power, nuclear weapons and radioactivity in the left column.

"There are promising conservation measures ... All of these might help corals persist into the future, but reducing carbon emissions is ultimately the only sure bet.", «New study shows remote Pacific coral reef has some ability to cope with ocean warming», Stuff, 24.8.2023

Loss of sea ice kills 10,000 emperor penguin chicks, «We know that emperor penguins are highly vulnerable in a warming climate – and current scientific evidence suggests that extreme sea ice loss events like this will become more frequent and widespread.», Stuff, 26.8.2023

A “moment of truth” for climate action says UN Secretary-General, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), 05 June 2024

and see «The strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Caribbean levelled 98 percent of the houses and infrastructure on the island of Curriacon a week ago.», The Paris target is still achievable, (German original: Das Paris-Ziel ist noch erreichbar), Dr. Franz Alt, 13.7.2024

Watch: Satellite video tracks Beryl's path tearing through the Atlantic, Caribbean and U.S., CBS News, 12.7.2024

«Carriacou and Petite Martinique, Grenada: Beryl slammed into the islands as a Category 4 hurricane on July 1, destroying roughly 98 percent of the buildings, which are home to around 10,000 people, according to officials. Three people were killed.», Beryl’s Trail of Destruction So Far, The New York Times, 7.7.2024

and see «Many people today are afraid of transformation and change. They forget that the entire history of mankind is a story of transformation, change and improvement. ... Hannah Ritchie, senior researcher at “Our world in Data” has summarised these eight most important developments in a book with the telling title: “Not the End of the World: Surprising facts, dangerous myths and hopeful solutions for our future on planet Earth”», Not everything is good, but it’s getting better, (German original: Nicht alles ist gut, aber es wird immer besser), Dr. Franz Alt, 23.8.2024

Laudato Si’

Top

«Laudato Si’ ...»,
ENCYCLICAL LETTER
LAUDATO SI’
OF THE HOLY FATHER
FRANCIS
ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME,
Vatican Press, 24.5.2015

Laudate Deum: «Pope Francis has published an Apostolic Exhortation building on his 2015 encyclical. We’re not reacting enough, he says, we’re close to breaking point. He criticises climate change deniers, saying that the human origin of global warming is now beyond doubt. And he describes how care for our common home flows from the Christian faith.», Introduction and summary to Laudate Deum: the Pope’s cry for a response to the climate crisis, Vatican News, 4.10.2023

«Eight years have passed since I published the Encyclical Letter Laudato Si’... I have realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point. ... the impact of climate change will increasingly prejudice the lives and families of many persons. We will feel its effects in the areas of healthcare, sources of employment, access to resources, housing, forced migrations, etc. ... This is a global social issue and one intimately related to the dignity of human life. ... “our care for one another and our care for the earth are intimately bound together...», APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION LAUDATE DEUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO ALL PEOPLE OF GOOD WILL ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS, Vatican News, 4.10.2023

PDF copy of Laudate Deum (11 pages, 240 KB)

see also The green pope and the green Dalai Lama (German original: Der grüne Papst und der grüne Dalai Lama), Dr. Franz Alt, 6.10.2023

Pope Francis Says Coronavirus May Be Symptom of Climate Crisis, "This is the time to take the decisive step, to move from using and misusing nature to contemplating it.", EcoWatch, 10.4.2020

see also Judaism, Islam and Christianity explore faith's role tackling our climate crisis, "Pope Francis says coronavirus may be a 'response' from nature. The head of the Catholic Church linked the global outbreak to our failure to properly address climate change. Members of three Abrahamic religions will discuss climate change and commit to take personal, community and societal action during a Wellington inter-faith event...", Olivia Wannan, 18.6.2021

Pope Francis calls on world leaders to act on extreme weather, "The pope says leaders need to heed the Earth’s ‘cries of anguish’ stemming from climate change.", AlJazeera.com, 21.7.2022,

Pope says increased defence spending after Ukraine is "madness", 24.3.2022, Reuters

Papst: Erhöhung der Militärausgaben einiger Staaten ist «Irrsinn», 24.03.2022 Rom (dpa), Greenpeace-Magazin.de

«This “impossible pope” is simply following in the tradition of his boss’s Sermon on the Mount.», This impossible Pope! (German original: Dieser unmögliche Papst!), Dr. Franz Alt, 16.03.2024

See also «We are the first generation to cheat God and play evolution backwards. ... “Laudato Si” ... perhaps the most valuable and important conservative document of our time. It is about nothing less than the preservation of creation and a fairer world as Jesus foresaw in his Sermon on the Mount. ...», The magic word of the conservatives (German original Das Zauberwort der Konservativen), Dr. Franz Alt, 08.05.2024.

Laudato Si’ ...

"LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord".²⁴⁾

«What kind of world do we want to leave to those who come after us, to children who are now growing up?»²⁵⁾

This is the question of our time. It is possible to approach this question on a purely scientific and logically reasoning basis. It is also possible to approach this question on a basis of faith, trust and religion, as explained above with the book of Genesis ¹⁶⁾ and teachings by Jesus.¹⁴⁾ Both ways will lead to the same practical answers to seriously take care and to protect God's Creation.

A wonderful and surprisingly detailed answer is given by Pope Francis in his Encyclical Letter "LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord".²⁴⁾

It appears appropriate to say, that the Encyclical Letter «Laudato Si’ ...» is possibly the most important document of our time and can — independent of any specific denomination, church, religion, faith, belief or world view — be highly recommended to all who attempt to take the book of Genesis ¹⁶⁾ and teachings by Jesus ¹⁴⁾ serious, to all who are interested in the world and its future, to all who are engaged in the protection of our environment and nature, and to all who had been interested in the above «Reflections on Corona and Easter».

The words in the Encyclical Letter «Laudato Si’ ...» to protect our environment and nature, God's Creation, should be taken seriously and the church, every church, should be appreciated and valued according to these words by Pope Francis and our God given vocation to take care of the paradise. It is time to bring all synergies together and to co-operate wherever we find agreements to "step into the vocation which God-image-bearing humans have been given from the start".^{21) and 16}⁾

The following is the complete and fully quoted introduction (without the reference numbers) of the Encyclical Letter "LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord".²⁴⁾

1. "LAUDATO SI’, mi’ Signore" – "Praise be to you, my Lord". In the words of this beautiful canticle, Saint Francis of Assisi reminds us that our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us. "Praise be to you, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth, who sustains and governs us, and who produces various fruit with coloured flowers and herbs".

2. This sister now cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her. We have come to see ourselves as her lords and masters, entitled to plunder her at will. The violence present in our hearts, wounded by sin, is also reflected in the symptoms of sickness evident in the soil, in the water, in the air and in all forms of life. This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she "groans in travail" (Rom 8:22). We have forgotten that we ourselves are dust of the earth (cf. Gen 2:7); our very bodies are made up of her elements, we breathe her air and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.

Nothing in this world is indifferent to us

3. More than fifty years ago, with the world teetering on the brink of nuclear crisis, Pope Saint John XXIII wrote an Encyclical which not only rejected war but offered a proposal for peace. He addressed his message Pacem in Terris to the entire "Catholic world" and indeed "to all men and women of good will". Now, faced as we are with global environmental deterioration, I wish to address every person living on this planet. In my Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium, I wrote to all the members of the Church with the aim of encouraging ongoing missionary renewal. In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home.

4. In 1971, eight years after Pacem in Terris, Blessed Pope Paul VI referred to the ecological concern as “a tragic consequence” of unchecked human activity: “Due to an ill-considered exploitation of nature, humanity runs the risk of destroying it and becoming in turn a victim of this degradation”. He spoke in similar terms to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations about the potential for an “ecological catastrophe under the effective explosion of industrial civilization”, and stressed “the urgent need for a radical change in the conduct of humanity”, inasmuch as “the most extraordinary scientific advances, the most amazing technical abilities, the most astonishing economic growth, unless they are accompanied by authentic social and moral progress, will definitively turn against man”.

5. Saint John Paul II became increasingly concerned about this issue. In his first Encyclical he warned that human beings frequently seem “to see no other meaning in their natural environment than what serves for immediate use and consumption”. Subsequently, he would call for a global ecological conversion. At the same time, he noted that little effort had been made to “safeguard the moral conditions for an authentic human ecology”. The destruction of the human environment is extremely serious, not only because God has entrusted the world to us men and women, but because human life is itself a gift which must be defended from various forms of debasement. Every effort to protect and improve our world entails profound changes in “lifestyles, models of production and consumption, and the established structures of power which today govern societies”. 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.

6. My predecessor Benedict XVI likewise proposed “eliminating the structural causes of the dysfunctions of the world economy and correcting models of growth which have proved incapable of ensuring respect for the environment”. He observed that the world cannot be analyzed by isolating only one of its aspects, since “the book of nature is one and indivisible”, and includes the environment, life, sexuality, the family, social relations, and so forth. It follows that “the deterioration of nature is closely connected to the culture which shapes human coexistence”. Pope Benedict asked us to recognize that the natural environment has been gravely damaged by our irresponsible behaviour. The social environment has also suffered damage. Both are ultimately due to the same evil: the notion that there are no indisputable truths to guide our lives, and hence human freedom is limitless. We have forgotten that “man is not only a freedom which he creates for himself. Man does not create himself. He is spirit and will, but also nature”. With paternal concern, Benedict urged us to realize that creation is harmed “where we ourselves have the final word, where everything is simply our property and we use it for ourselves alone. The misuse of creation begins when we no longer recognize any higher instance than ourselves, when we see nothing else but ourselves”.

United by the same concern

7. These statements of the Popes echo the reflections of numerous scientists, philosophers, theologians and civic groups, all of which have enriched the Church’s thinking on these questions. Outside the Catholic Church, other Churches and Christian communities – and other religions as well – have expressed deep concern and offered valuable reflections on issues which all of us find disturbing. To give just one striking example, I would mention the statements made by the beloved Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, with whom we share the hope of full ecclesial communion.

8. Patriarch Bartholomew has spoken in particular of the need for each of us to repent of the ways we have harmed the planet, for “inasmuch as we all generate small ecological damage”, we are called to acknowledge “our contribution, smaller or greater, to the disfigurement and destruction of creation”. He has repeatedly stated this firmly and persuasively, challenging us to acknowledge our sins against creation: “For human beings… to destroy the biological diversity of God’s creation; for human beings to degrade the integrity of the earth by causing changes in its climate, by stripping the earth of its natural forests or destroying its wetlands; for human beings to contaminate the earth’s waters, its land, its air, and its life – these are sins”. For “to commit a crime against the natural world is a sin against ourselves and a sin against God”.

9. At the same time, Bartholomew has drawn attention to the ethical and spiritual roots of environmental problems, which require that we look for solutions not only in technology but in a change of humanity; otherwise we would be dealing merely with symptoms. He asks us to replace consumption with sacrifice, greed with generosity, wastefulness with a spirit of sharing, an asceticism which “entails learning to give, and not simply to give up. It is a way of loving, of moving gradually away from what I want to what God’s world needs. It is liberation from fear, greed and compulsion”. As Christians, we are also called “to accept the world as a sacrament of communion, as a way of sharing with God and our neighbours on a global scale. It is our humble conviction that the divine and the human meet in the slightest detail in the seamless garment of God’s creation, in the last speck of dust of our planet”.

Saint Francis of Assisi

10. I do not want to write this Encyclical without turning to that attractive and compelling figure, whose name I took as my guide and inspiration when I was elected Bishop of Rome. I believe that Saint Francis is the example par excellence of care for the vulnerable and of an integral ecology lived out joyfully and authentically. He is the patron saint of all who study and work in the area of ecology, and he is also much loved by non-Christians. He was particularly concerned for God’s creation and for the poor and outcast. He loved, and was deeply loved for his joy, his generous self-giving, his openheartedness. He was a mystic and a pilgrim who lived in simplicity and in wonderful harmony with God, with others, with nature and with himself. He shows us just how inseparable the bond is between concern for nature, justice for the poor, commitment to society, and interior peace.

11. Francis helps us to see that an integral ecology calls for openness to categories which transcend the language of mathematics and biology, and take us to the heart of what it is to be human. Just as happens when we fall in love with someone, whenever he would gaze at the sun, the moon or the smallest of animals, he burst into song, drawing all other creatures into his praise. He communed with all creation, even preaching to the flowers, inviting them “to praise the Lord, just as if they were endowed with reason”. His response to the world around him was so much more than intellectual appreciation or economic calculus, for to him each and every creature was a sister united to him by bonds of affection. That is why he felt called to care for all that exists. His disciple Saint Bonaventure tells us that, “from a reflection on the primary source of all things, filled with even more abundant piety, he would call creatures, no matter how small, by the name of ‘brother’ or ‘sister’”. Such a conviction cannot be written off as naive romanticism, for it affects the choices which determine our behaviour. If we approach nature and the environment without this openness to awe and wonder, if we no longer speak the language of fraternity and beauty in our relationship with the world, our attitude will be that of masters, consumers, ruthless exploiters, unable to set limits on their immediate needs. By contrast, if we feel intimately united with all that exists, then sobriety and care will well up spontaneously. The poverty and austerity of Saint Francis were no mere veneer of asceticism, but something much more radical: a refusal to turn reality into an object simply to be used and controlled.

12. What is more, Saint Francis, faithful to Scripture, invites us to see nature as a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. “Through the greatness and the beauty of creatures one comes to know by analogy their maker” (Wis 13:5); indeed, “his eternal power and divinity have been made known through his works since the creation of the world” (Rom 1:20). For this reason, Francis asked that part of the friary garden always be left untouched, so that wild flowers and herbs could grow there, and those who saw them could raise their minds to God, the Creator of such beauty. Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise.

My appeal

13. The urgent challenge to protect our common home includes a concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development, for we know that things can change. The Creator does not abandon us; he never forsakes his loving plan or repents of having created us. Humanity still has the ability to work together in building our common home. Here I want to recognize, encourage and thank all those striving in countless ways to guarantee the protection of the home which we share. Particular appreciation is owed to those who tirelessly seek to resolve the tragic effects of environmental degradation on the lives of the world’s poorest. Young people demand change. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.

14. I urgently appeal, then, for a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet. We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing, and its human roots, concern and affect us all. The worldwide ecological movement has already made considerable progress and led to the establishment of numerous organizations committed to raising awareness of these challenges. Regrettably, many efforts to seek concrete solutions to the environmental crisis have proved ineffective, not only because of powerful opposition but also because of a more general lack of interest. Obstructionist attitudes, even on the part of believers, can range from denial of the problem to indifference, nonchalant resignation or blind confidence in technical solutions. We require a new and universal solidarity. As the bishops of Southern Africa have stated: “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed to redress the damage caused by human abuse of God’s creation”. All of us can cooperate as instruments of God for the care of creation, each according to his or her own culture, experience, involvements and talents.

15. It is my hope that this Encyclical Letter, which is now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching, can help us to acknowledge the appeal, immensity and urgency of the challenge we face. I will begin by briefly reviewing several aspects of the present ecological crisis, with the aim of drawing on the results of the best scientific research available today, letting them touch us deeply and provide a concrete foundation for the ethical and spiritual itinerary that follows. I will then consider some principles drawn from the Judaeo-Christian tradition which can render our commitment to the environment more coherent. I will then attempt to get to the roots of the present situation, so as to consider not only its symptoms but also its deepest causes. This will help to provide an approach to ecology which respects our unique place as human beings in this world and our relationship to our surroundings. In light of this reflection, I will advance some broader proposals for dialogue and action which would involve each of us as individuals, and also affect international policy. Finally, convinced as I am that change is impossible without motivation and a process of education, I will offer some inspired guidelines for human development to be found in the treasure of Christian spiritual experience.

16. Although each chapter will have its own subject and specific approach, it will also take up and re-examine important questions previously dealt with. This is particularly the case with a number of themes which will reappear as the Encyclical unfolds. As examples, I will point to the intimate relationship between the poor and the fragility of the planet, the conviction that everything in the world is connected, the critique of new paradigms and forms of power derived from technology, the call to seek other ways of understanding the economy and progress, the value proper to each creature, the human meaning of ecology, the need for forthright and honest debate, the serious responsibility of international and local policy,

CHAPTER ONE

WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OUR COMMON HOUSE

...

CHAPTER TWO

GOSPEL OF CREATION

...

CHAPTER THREE

THE HUMAN ROOTS OF THE ECOLOGICAL CRISIS

...

CHAPTER FOUR

INTEGRAL ECOLOGY

...

CHAPTER FIVE

LINES OF APPROACH AND ACTION

...

CHAPTER SIX

ECOLOGICAL EDUCATION AND SPIRITUALITY

...

246. At the conclusion of this lengthy reflection which has been both joyful and troubling, I propose that we offer two prayers. The first we can share with all who believe in a God who is the all-powerful Creator, while in the other we Christians ask for inspiration to take up the commitment to creation set before us by the Gospel of Jesus.

A prayer for our earth

All-powerful God, you are present in the whole universe
and in the smallest of your creatures.
You embrace with your tenderness all that exists.
Pour out upon us the power of your love,
that we may protect life and beauty.
Fill us with peace, that we may live
as brothers and sisters, harming no one.
O God of the poor,
help us to rescue the abandoned and forgotten of this earth,
so precious in your eyes.
Bring healing to our lives,
that we may protect the world and not prey on it,
that we may sow beauty, not pollution and destruction.
Touch the hearts
of those who look only for gain
at the expense of the poor and the earth.
Teach us to discover the worth of each thing,
to be filled with awe and contemplation,
to recognize that we are profoundly united
with every creature
as we journey towards your infinite light.
We thank you for being with us each day.
Encourage us, we pray, in our struggle
for justice, love and peace.

A Christian prayer in union with creation

Father, we praise you with all your creatures.
They came forth from your all-powerful hand;
they are yours, filled with your presence and your tender love.
Praise be to you!

Son of God, Jesus,
through you all things were made.
You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother,
you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes.
Today you are alive in every creature
in your risen glory.
Praise be to you!

Holy Spirit, by your light
you guide this world towards the Father’s love
and accompany creation as it groans in travail.
You also dwell in our hearts
and you inspire us to do what is good.
Praise be to you!

Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love,
teach us to contemplate you
in the beauty of the universe,
for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness
for every being that you have made.
Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined
to everything that is.

God of love, show us our place in this world
as channels of your love
for all the creatures of this earth,
for not one of them is forgotten in your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money
that they may avoid the sin of indifference,
that they may love the common good, advance the weak,
and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out.
O Lord, seize us with your power and light,
help us to protect all life,
to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom
of justice, peace, love and beauty.
Praise be to you!
Amen.

Given in Rome at Saint Peter’s on 24 May, the Solemnity of Pentecost, in the year 2015, the third of my Pontificate.

...

TABLE OF CONTENTS

...

Please continue reading with the following links to the full Encyclical Letter «Laudato Si’ ...», the official guide and overview, a comment and a song, or the downloadable 184 pages PDF copy of the Encyclical Letter «Laudato Si’ ...».

ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME, 24.5.2015
Guide and overview
Comment by scientist Schellnhuber
Laudato Si, the song ...
Pdf-copy of the encyclical (184 pages, 1 MB)

²⁴⁾ cf. «Laudato Si’ ...», ENCYCLICAL LETTER LAUDATO SI’ OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME, Vatican Press, 24.5.2015

Guide and overview

Comment by scientist Schellnhuber

Laudato Si, the song ...

PDF copy of Laudato Si' (184 pages, 980 KB)

see also “Laudate Deum”: the Pope’s cry for a response to the climate crisis, Vatican News, 4.10.2023 (see some quotes in left column)

²⁵⁾cf. paragraph 160 in "CHAPTER FOUR: INTEGRAL ECOLOGY" on page 118 in the Pdf-copy of the encyclical (184 pages, 1 MB)

See also the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, “Everyone’s talents and involvement are needed" (Laudato Si' 14). Take concrete actions in the care of our common home. The Laudato Si´ Action Platform offers the Church tools and resources for the journey towards total sustainability in the spirit of integral ecology." and Laudato Si’ Movement Platform.

See also these related articles and scientists papers:

Over one billion people at threat of being displaced by 2050 due to environmental change, conflict and civil unrest - Ecological Threat Register 2020, 19.9.2020, Institute for Economics & Peace, published on Sonnenseite.com, VISION of HUMANITY 2020

World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice, «Twenty-five years ago, the Union of Concerned Scientists and more than 1700 independent scientists, including the majority of living Nobel laureates in the sciences, penned the 1992 “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity”. These concerned professionals called on humankind to curtail environmental destruction and cautioned that “a great change in our stewardship of the Earth and the life on it is required, if vast human misery is to be avoided.” In their manifesto, they showed that humans were on a collision course with the natural world.
...
Since 1992, with the exception of stabilizing the stratospheric ozone layer, humanity has failed to make sufficient progress in generally solving these foreseen environmental challenges, and alarmingly, most of them are getting far worse. Especially troubling is the current trajectory of potentially catastrophic climate change due to rising GHGs from burning fossil fuels (Hansen et al. 2013), deforestation (Keenan et al. 2015), and agricultural production—particularly from farming ruminants for meat consumption (Ripple et al. 2014).
...
It is also time to re-examine and change our individual behaviors... consumption of fossil fuels, meat, and other resources.
...
Examples of diverse and effective steps humanity can take to transition to sustainability...
...
Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory, and time is running out. We must recognize, in our day-to-day lives and in our governing institutions, that Earth with all its life is our only home. ...», 13.11.2017, Oxford University Press

UN urges global move to meat and dairy-free diet, «Lesser consumption of animal products is necessary to save the world from the worst impacts of climate change, UN report says ... 'Animal products cause more damage than [producing] construction minerals such as sand or cement, plastics or metals. Biomass and crops for animals are as damaging as [burning] fossil fuels.' ... 'Rising affluence is triggering a shift in diets towards meat and dairy products - livestock now consumes much of the world’s crops and by inference a great deal of freshwater, fertilisers and pesticides.' ... 'Decoupling growth from environmental degradation is the number one challenge facing governments in a world of rising numbers of people, rising incomes, rising consumption demands and the persistent challenge of poverty alleviation.'», 2.6.2010, The Guardian

See also writings and videos on the interface of science, philosophy and religion:

See for example the writings and video talks by John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, internationally renowned speaker and author of several books on the interface of science, philosophy and religion:

«Either human intelligence ultimately owes its origin to mindless matter; or there is a Creator. It is strange that some people claim that it is their intelligence that leads them to prefer the first to the second.», JohnLennox.org.

These videos provide interesting food for thoughts:

The Question of Science and God - Part 1 (47:33 min), 12.1.2018, John Lennox, Youtube, and
The Question of Science and God - Part 2 (58:27 min), 23.1.2018, John Lennox, Youtube, «Has Science buried God? Eric Metaxas tracks down Oxford's John Lennox in France for answers, and the brilliant professor delivers!», SocratesInTheCity.com

Why Do I Exist? (4:31 min), 21.1.2020, John Lennox, Youtube

Seven Days That Divide the World (1:30:06), 14.3.2014, John Lennox, Youtube, «Dr. Lennox explores a method for reading and interpreting the first chapters of Genesis without discounting either science or Scripture.»

Prof. John Lennox | The logic of Christianity, (48:53), 23.12.2020, John Lennox, Youtube, «We are passing on a catastrophe, it seems to me, economically and every other way...»

GOD'S UNDERTAKER - Has Science Buried God?, John Lennox, published 2002, 2007, 2009;
... Acknowledgements:
«This book originated in lectures given at a course entitled 'Faith, Reason and Science' at the University of Oxford, Department for Continuing Education and at the Institute for the Philosophy of Science at Salzburg University, Austria. It represents an attempt to evaluate the evidence of modern science in relation to the debate between the atheistic and theistic interpretations of the universe and to provide a basis for discussion.»
... Epilogue:
«I am very astonished that the scientific picture of the real world around me is very deficient. It gives us a lot of factual information, puts all of our experience in a magnificently consistent order, but is ghastly silent about all and sundry that is really near to our heart that really matters to us. It cannot tell us a word about red and blue, bitter and sweet, physical pain and physical delight; it knows nothing of beautiful and ugly, good and bad, God and eternity. Science sometimes pretends to answer questions in these domains but the answers are very often so silly that we are not inclined to take them seriously.» Erwin Schrödinger
«So far I have argued that, although science with all its power cannot address some of the fundamental questions that we ask, nevertheless the universe contains certain clues as to our relationship to it, clues that are scientifically accessible. The rational intelligibility of the universe, for example, points to the existence of a Mind that was responsible both for the universe and for our minds. ... Not only that, but our increasing insight into the fine-tuning of the universe in general, and of planet earth in particular, is consistent with the widespread awareness that we are meant to be here. This earth is our home...», John C. Lennox

See also "...spiritual ecologist ... become lovers of the world..." in "BREAK OUT AND BECOME a New Creature in Christ", Mary Virginia Parrish, 1978 by Abingdon Nashville, ISBN 0-687-03973-8;
page 126, 127:
«...Once we acknowledge that the tensions and problems of our world are the result of our inner thoughts and attitudes, we see ourselves as creators of climate. Jealousy, hate, resentment, are alive and contagious. They pollute the atmosphere. As spiritual ecologists, we can bring the 'fragrance of Christ' to purify, to alter, our environment. Love is more powerful than hate. Light is greater than darkness. Peace is more dynamic than war. Once these concepts are assimilated, the rule of spiritual ecologist becomes clear. Our concern over the atmospheric pollution which hate causes becomes a call to arms. We take up God's weapons of love to absorb hate, light to dispel darkness, hope to replace fear. We are here to be captured by Christ not for our own peace, not for our own cozy relationship with him, wonderful as that is, but to become lovers of the world he loves so much...»

and see «For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son...», John 3:16 (Good News Translation), and we should emphasis this clearly «For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son...» which provides us with every reason to try doing similar in loving and caring.

«U.S. Advisor on climate change, James Gustave Speth, said: "I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation."

... and

«The UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, stated on December 4, 2015, that “Faith communities are vital for global efforts to address the climate challenge. They remind us of the moral dimensions of climate change, and of our obligation to care for both the Earth’s fragile environment and our neighbours in need.”,
Spiritual Ecology, Wikipedia
(quotes copied 8.8.2021)

Please see also this video on YouTube...

... or watch it on Vimeo: #Film4Climate 1st Prize Short Film Winner - “Three Seconds”

and see this comment by «C Randolph, (August 2021):
These are the types of things I'm inclined to say when I am teaching Bible study. Man has gotten so self-sufficient and wise that they don't listen to or acknowledge the Creator. Then they deny His existence and ruin the home He has made for homo sapiens. Really, what would you personally do if you allowed someone to live in your pristine home only to find that they all but destroyed it in a matter of days? Likely you would evict them (not finish the destruction of the home!). Be patient; that 4th second will come when He "bring[s] to ruin those ruining the earth." (Revelation 11:18)»

GreenFaith Calls for Unity of Faiths to Realise Climate Justice in Workshop at the 11th World Council of Churches Assembly, Rose Gwynn, greenfaith.org, 2.9.2022

Patagonia’s billionaire owner in US gives away company to fight climate crisis, «Hey, friends, we just gave our company to planet Earth. OK, it’s more nuanced than that, but we’re closed today to celebrate this new plan to save our one and only home. We’ll be back online tomorrow. https://t.co/fvRFDgOzVZ — Patagonia (@patagonia) September 14, 2022», Stuff / The Washington Post, 15.9.2022

"Earth is now our only shareholder.", "Despite its immensity, the Earth's resources are not infinite, and it's clear we've exceeded its limits," the entrepreneur said of his decision to give up ownership. "Instead of extracting value from nature and transforming it into wealth, we are using the wealth Patagonia creates to protect the source.", Patagonia: Billionaire boss of fashion retailer gives company away, BBC News, 15.9.2022

Epilogue

Top

The construction fence of Golden Bay High School in Takaka New Zealand has been artfully decorated by students to remind everybody:

"You are Guardians ...

... Time to Change"

(photos taken 6.2.2023)

«After many delays due to the ongoing rain, the final mural designed and created by one of the Year 7/8 Exploratory classes is finally complete. It urges the viewer to "change now" and reminds us that we are Kaitiaki - Guardians of our planet. It can be seen on Rototai Road near the bus bay alongside two other murals.», Golden Bay High School newsletter "Goldie" , 28.10.2022

Epilogue: You are Guardians ...

²⁶⁾

«You are Guardians» is the intention, the purpose and the mandate of our existence. It represents the very first words spoken to mankind by God (our Father, His Son and the Holy Spirit). It has the love and the power to bring all people together, everywhere, independent of their faith, belief, religion or world view, and peacefully, here in Aotearoa New Zealand and all over the world. Let's keep that in our consciousness, let's keep that in our heart and in our mind, whatever we decide, whatever we choose or elect, whatever we do.

«My Father ... may your will be done.» - Amen

World Day of Prayer 2023

«We are reminded of the urgency to protect the environment and have a nuclear-free homeland...»²⁷⁾

«Dear Sister Pao-Chu, Last time we met at the gathering I heard your stories about the urgency of protecting the environment. Your story of faith impacted me, and I have followed in your footsteps ever since. I have recycled resources, joined a beach cleaning, and sorted waste at home. I carry my own cutlery and cup to mitigate the plastic crisis. Most importantly, I teach our next generations to protect the environment. We hope that Taiwan can be a nuclear-free homeland in the future. Let us learn together to become good stewards of God’s creation.»²⁷⁾

Eco Church New Zealand

«Churches across Aotearoa New Zealand actively caring for God’s earth as an integral part of their mission. ... I feel that Eco Church is breaking down barriers between churches ... It's a much-needed initiative and restores care for God's creation at the heart of our faith. Christians should be leaders in environmental issues.»²⁸⁾

Eco Church New Zealand is a project of A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand.²⁸⁾

²⁶⁾ Please compare these Golden Bay High School murals with the previous chapters above and with the following words by pastor James Beck in Christchurch:

«... We must take seriously the call of Psalm 8, and Genesis 1:26-28. We need to step into the vocation which God-image-bearing humans have been given from the start. And when we do, we experience our vocation in and through the restoration and the reconciliation of us to God, of us to ourselves, of us to each other and us to the whenua. My observation is that young people want to be a part of something like that.»

Is the Gospel good news?, James Beck, associate pastor at The River Ōpāwaho Church in Ōtautahi Christchurch, A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand, 16.2.2023

²⁷⁾cf. «I Have Heard About Your Faith ... We are reminded of the urgency to protect the environment and have a nuclear-free homeland ...», World Day of Prayer 2023, 3.3.2023

cf. «... Let us learn together to become good stewards of God’s creation.», World Day of Prayer Booklet for 2023 , 3.3.2023

and see Nuclear weapons are weapons of terror (German original Atomwaffen sind Terrorwaffen), Franz Alt, 2.8.2024

and see also UN-Resolution «Climate Change by Radioactivity», SolarPeace.org, 7.8.2009

²⁸⁾cf. Eco Church New Zealand

ECO CHURCH NZ is a project of A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand.

A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand

«A Rocha Aotearoa New Zealand is part of the A Rocha family of Christian environmental conservation organisations currently active in over 20 countries around the world. As a family, we focus on environmental science and research, practical nature conservation, environmental education, creation care and advocacy through a variety of programmes and initiatives.»

see also «Season of Discernment ... God is calling us towards making some brave decisions. We are the people to carry the burden of making necessary change. This is the legacy that we will leave for those who come after us. ...», Simon Martin, Bishop's Chaplain, Nelson Anglicans, 1.3.2023

Green churches tackling regeneration and carbon, «Pastor James Beck and his eco church have planted more than 2500 natives in Christchurch over the last three years. He believes that Christians should do more in the climate and regeneration spaces.», Stuff, 20.4.2023

Churches across 12 denominations in New Zealand have signed up to an international project called Eco Church to reduce their impact on the environment. (video and article), «Churches committing to eco-friendly project», TVNZ 1News, 8.10.2023

see also Eco Church Overview - Diocese of Norwich (Church of England), Youtube, 22.4.2023

PS ...

Top

«The Blue Flood ... is a
beautiful reminder of our
responsibility to preserve the
world for future generations.»,
The GB Weekly (page 9),
30.08.2024

P.S. ...

The Blue Flood ...

You can try to sing this poem on
the lovely melody of "What a wonderful world" by Louis Armstrong.

I love Blue in the sky,

I love Blue in the sea,

I love Green on the land,

that's how it's supposed to be.

And I think to myself, What a wonderful world...

We should take care and guard it,

from the beginning, that's how it had been.

We should not flood the land with water Blue,

but keep the country Green, yes Green.

The poem "The Blue Flood" was created upon the New Zealand elections held on 14.10.2023.

PDF print versions for passing on:

Abstract: Reflections on Corona and Easter – Taking Care of Paradise

Theological introduction: Reflections on Corona and Easter – Taking Care of Paradise

UN-Resolution «Climate Change by Radioactivity»

Survey shows: Swiss nuclear power plants don't know what they are doing!

Natural Power – Lifestyle and Necessity

SolarPeace-Flyer

Please tell others ...

P.P.S. ... During the previous years (until 2016), about 3000 persons, politicians, decision makers and media world-wide have received each SolarPeace-Information. Please see the section Energy Transition for all SolarPeace press releases and additional information.

The press release UN-Resolution «Climate Change by Radioactivity» (7.8.2009) had been sent by e-mail to about 4000 recipients and with registered printed letters to more than 100 Prime Ministers, Presidents and Ministers in more than 30 countries.

Please pass these information on to other interested people.

Cordial thanks!