Easter approaches, but another, equally important day is just around the corner: Earth Day. On Earth Day, we’re supposed to remind ourselves of our role in, and dependence upon, the world in which we are thrive. When you look deeper, you see that Earth Day is, and should be, every single day of the year.
There are a lot of misconceptions out there about global warming. Some say that it is just a natural occurrence. Others even suggest that global warming is a good thing.
Global warming began 18,000 years ago in the Pleistocene Ice Age. The difference is that the Earth warmed gradually. Now, warming occurrs rapidly. The last time changes like those we have today occurred, a significant portion of life on Earth was wiped out. Extinctions are occurring at an alarming rate today:1000 times faster than in pre-human times. Destruction of life, alone, makes the suggestion that global warming is good beyond ridiculous.
Our generation grew up with commercials on Saturday morning television telling us to be mindful of water and energy usage. Yet, our generation is inheriting the environmental crisis.
Many suggest that we shouldn’t bother ourselves about global warming because there is nothing that our generation can do. Older adults refer to our generation as one that selfishly expects everything for nothing.
I say that it’s time to prove those naysayers wrong.
Nearly everyone has, at the core of his or her faith, some sense of environmental responsibility. In the book of Genesis, for example, man is told he is to have dominion over the earth and subdue it. Literal interpretation of this passage has led to severe abuse of the natural world.
In truth, the Hebrew meaning of these words is different. “Dominion” actually meant something like “stewardship.” Stewards are caretakers of something entrusted to them. “Subdue” meant “to work with the world,” not the exercise of brutal control over it.
I believe that God has entrusted us, our generation, with the world, and that we’re neglecting our responsibilities. If we are to see and understand God through the beauty of this world, then we must protect and nurture it.
Hindus see nature and creatures as sacred, because the world itself is sacred. Everything in the world is Brahman. To do harm against the environment would be doing harm against the divine, which would result in bad karma.
Islam focuses on social justice, as Allah wishes for justice in this world. This includes justice for the world in the promotion of good and aversion of evil. Moderation, modesty and community are admirable traits Islam displays that would encourage an eco-friendly existence.
Faith is not a prerequisite for environmental consciousness. Atheists can have a strong concern for the environment. Their children and the children of others will inherit the consequences of our generation’s actions. To ignore the future is not only selfish, but inhumane.
How will our generation be remembered? As a group of selfish, spoiled children who thumbed their noses at the world as it fell apart around them? Or will those in the future look back on us with admiration for struggling to make changes for the better?
As creatures gifted with enormous intellect and potential, we have the power to do what is right. It is our obligation to care for this world and make it better. It is clear, now that global warming is a near crisis, that sacrifices are going to have to be made by everyone in order to ensure not only our continuation as a species, but the world as we know it.
The time to act and change our way of life is now, because the environment isn’t waiting for us to make up our minds as we push it further toward an irreparable state.
Anthony Cozad is a sophomore in the College of Arts and Sciences.
