So much more than green
Suddenly, everyone is concerned about being "green". Every major government project is touted for its "green" merits and people are developing "green" habits like bringing a shopping bag to the grocery store.
This is all well and good, but as long as we're just being "green" because it's the fad of the day, we're still missing the point. Sustainability is what we need to achieve, or at least strive toward. Reducing our vast consumption patterns is not about being trendy, it's about developing habits that enable resources to last longer, and be shared in a more equitable fashion.
"Going green" isn't just a good idea for the environment's sake, it's a good idea for everyone's sake.
It's a good idea for our health, enabling us to live fuller, healthier lives, not just because of the better food we're eating and the fewer chemicals we're ingesting, but also through the way "green" habits often usually involve greater physical activity, making us in better shape.
It's a good idea for society, by making more options available to those generally left with fewer. The inner-city child, who would never see a farm, never have any proper concept of the food chain, and cycles of life, may have an opportunity to taste all that through a local community garden. The low-income earner has their living possibilities vastly expanded when a comprehensive transit system allows them to function without a car and still get around affordably in a decent amount of time.
It's good for our communities, when lawn-mower sharing, carpooling and carsharing; street parties or neighbourhood festivals; local collective gardens; and use of the sidewalks, greenspaces, and local business force us to get to know our neighbours.
We less quickly drive our globe into ruin, and we in the wealthier nations set an example for those who aspire to what we have, when we show moderation in our habits, instead of indulging every appetite for comfort.
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,” we are told, and it is true. This is why creation care is not a fad. It is not to us, to exploit, abuse, and destroy the world we live in. We are but caretakers, offered stewardship of the beauty He created, and he has made us all dependent on others, affected by the actions of our brothers and sisters half a world away, so that we may acknowledge they are brothers and sisters.
In the end, we're not even environmentalists because God is the creator. Instead, in living lives that glorify the Creator, lives that respond to his great love for us by showing love to our fellow beings, we end up making choices that show good stewardship.
This is all well and good, but as long as we're just being "green" because it's the fad of the day, we're still missing the point. Sustainability is what we need to achieve, or at least strive toward. Reducing our vast consumption patterns is not about being trendy, it's about developing habits that enable resources to last longer, and be shared in a more equitable fashion.
"Going green" isn't just a good idea for the environment's sake, it's a good idea for everyone's sake.
It's a good idea for our health, enabling us to live fuller, healthier lives, not just because of the better food we're eating and the fewer chemicals we're ingesting, but also through the way "green" habits often usually involve greater physical activity, making us in better shape.
It's a good idea for society, by making more options available to those generally left with fewer. The inner-city child, who would never see a farm, never have any proper concept of the food chain, and cycles of life, may have an opportunity to taste all that through a local community garden. The low-income earner has their living possibilities vastly expanded when a comprehensive transit system allows them to function without a car and still get around affordably in a decent amount of time.
It's good for our communities, when lawn-mower sharing, carpooling and carsharing; street parties or neighbourhood festivals; local collective gardens; and use of the sidewalks, greenspaces, and local business force us to get to know our neighbours.
We less quickly drive our globe into ruin, and we in the wealthier nations set an example for those who aspire to what we have, when we show moderation in our habits, instead of indulging every appetite for comfort.
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it,” we are told, and it is true. This is why creation care is not a fad. It is not to us, to exploit, abuse, and destroy the world we live in. We are but caretakers, offered stewardship of the beauty He created, and he has made us all dependent on others, affected by the actions of our brothers and sisters half a world away, so that we may acknowledge they are brothers and sisters.
In the end, we're not even environmentalists because God is the creator. Instead, in living lives that glorify the Creator, lives that respond to his great love for us by showing love to our fellow beings, we end up making choices that show good stewardship.
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