Global Concerns

Global Concerns

1. Christian beliefs about the world

   • Genesis says 'God saw all that he made, and it was very good.'
   • Christians believe God created the world.
   • Human beings should not damage or destroy things made by God
   • The natural things of the world have a goodness in themselves because God said so.
   • They believe the natural world was created for human beings to use responsibly.
   • Food, natural resources, possible medicines and natural beauty are all things which enhance and enrich human life.
   • Many Christians believe they should be stewards of the world.
     • Stewardship=the belief that believers have a duty to look after the environment on behalf of God
     • Being a good steward might involve:
       • Joining groups which campaign to protect the environment
       • Using resources of the world in a way whioh is sustainable
       • Preserving the environment for the people who are young now or are to be born in the future
       • Sharing the natural resources of the world fairly among people
   • Bible says suggests God made his covenant with the whole of creation, so he's interested in the whole world.

2. Environmental Problems

   • There are 4 factors that threaten both existing ways of life and future survival:
     • Pollution
       • Caused by car exhausts, power plants, nuclear waste disposal activity, factories.
         • Level of pollution increased since humans started using coal and gas during Industrial Revolution.
           • Emissions of 'greenhouse gases' affect atmosphere and threaten to disrupt or damage life on Earth.
     • Destruction of natural habitats
       • Tropical rainforests under threat from deforestation
         • To sell timber
         • Use for paasture
       • Forests are 'lungs of the Earth'
         • They remove carbon dioxide from atmosphere
         • Without them greenhouse gases increases and the Earth warms which cause climate change
       • Natural beautiful landscapes lost for future generation
       • Forests retain soil but deforested areas don't. Soil moves into rivers causing silting and leads to flooding
       • Removing plants and wildlife damages possibility of learning more about the world and removes possibility of scientific benefits ie. Medical cures.
     • Abuse of natural resources
       • World has limited supply.
       • Drained very quickly because of way of life and increasing population
       • Life forms become extinct and there is less variety in the world
     • Climate Change
       • Climate change refers to the long-term change in 'average temperature.'
         • This includes the increase in average temperature.
           • Precipitation (rain and snowfall)
             • and wind patterns.
       • These changes can be caused by processes on Earth and external forces such as variations in sunlight intensity.
         • A significant factor is human activity.
       • Effects of climate change on human life.
         • The consequences of climate change are serious for agriculture, forestry, ecosystems,water resources, human health, industry, settlement and society
           • Crops yields will reduce
           • Deaths among elderly and the sick will increase due to hotter weather.
           • Those without appropriate housing will have reduction in quality of life.
           • There will be water shortages, more flooding and more wildfires.
           • Poorer parts of world will be hit earlier and harder by effects of climate change. Richer countries can better protect themselves against changes but won't be immune

3. Individual and community responses

   • Individual Responses
     • Recycling and reducing unnecessary packaging
       • People can stop using plastic bags and avoid buying products that are packed with unnecessary packaging.
         • Plastic bags take a long time to break down.
       • Currently, most rubbish ends up in incinerators (which adds carbon to atmosphere) or in landfill sites.
         • Better recycling of paper, cardboard, metal and plastics can significantly reduce need to burn or bury waste
     • Home energy conservation and insulation
       • Loft and wall-cavity insulation reduce energy needed to heat houses.
       • Don't leave taps running, this saves water and the power needed to pump water throughout the system
       • Don't leave appliances on standby: they are using energy when they don't need to
       • Use energy-efficient light bulbs. They last longer and use less energy
   • Community Responses
     • Non-polluting forms of transport
       • Many people make car journeys for distances less than 2 miles.
       • Walk or cycle instead
       • Some environmentalists feel we shouldn't use planes unless absolutely necessaryy and have given up using them for holidays.
       • They are major carbon emitters
     • Buy local
       • Instead of buying food from other side of world
       • Buy it from local producer
       • This reduces transport emissions
       • Helps local businesses

4. National and international responses

   • National Responses
     • The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change
       • It concluded that:
         • Climate change was real
         • Human activity was contributing to it
         • world should spend 1% of global gross domestic product to avoid worst effects of climate change
     • UK government policies
       • They're finding non-carbon producing alternatives for electricity generating and renewable forms of power generating
       • increasing regulations on buildings
       • supporting development of newer, greener car fuels
       • encouraging energy conservation and recycling
   • International Responses
     • 1977 Kyoto Protocol
       • Aim to reduce greenhouse gases by 5%
         • Came into force in 2005
     • 1992 Earth summit in Rio
       • Find ways to halt destruction of irreplaceable natural resources and pollution of planet
     • EU 2020 targets
       • Aim to reduce carbon emissions to at least 20% below 1990 levels.
     • Renewable energy sources:
       • Solar power
       • Wind farms
       • Power stations which don't release greenhouse gases

5. Chrisitan responses to environmental problems

   • Simple living and respect for life
     • Many Christains believe that they should live simply, not wastefully
       • Natural resources shouldn't be wasted, cause they are part of God's creation
   • A change of lifestyle is needed
     • Christian leaders argue problem requires change of lifestyle.
       • Human beings have consumed the world without care.
   • The Earth Charter
     • Its supported by over 2,500 organisations including UNESCO
     • Examples are:
       • Respect Earth and life in all its diversity
         • Care for the community of life
           • Eradicate poverty
             • Prevent harm to Earth
               • Affirm equality and many more
   • Other Christian views
     • Some Christians see the coming environmental catastrophe as part of God's plan
       • They believe we're entering an 'End time' and approaching end of the world
         • They believe Christians should prepare for the second coming of Jesus
           • And final judgement at the end of the world.
     • Some Christians see environmental problems as God's punishment for sin.
       • Just as he flooded the Earth in the time of Noah because of his sins

6. Christian beliefs about respect for each other

   • The mission of love: justice and respect for all
     • The poor are blessed and Kingdom of Heaven is theirs- Luke 6:20
     • The poor are waiting for justice- Luke 1:17
     • Must show respect for people, since God loves the world
   • Why do people matter?
     • Many Christians believe every human has dignity and should be respected
     • Humans are a sacred, unique being created by God in his image
     • 'Love your neighbour'
   • Parable of sheep and the goats
   • The works of mercy: actions of love
     • caring for strangers
     • Providing for the hungry and thirsty
     • visiting and looking after the sick and those in prison
     • clothing and respecting those who have lost everything

7. A world divided

   • Poorer countries are known as LEDC
     • Less economically developed country
   • Each day 40,000 children starve to death.
     • Many are born into poverty
     • Many are born into situations where life is short
   • Extreme poverty
     • Defined as living on less than $1 a day.
       • It means that people can't meet basic needs for survival
         • Such as food, water clothing, shelter, sanitisation, education and health care.
     • 1 in 5 of the worlds population lives in poverty
       • Life expectancy is another way to look at poverty.
   • The worlds resources are not evenly distributed
     • in Europe and central Asia, 3.5% of people live in extreme poverty
       • While in African countries south of the Sahara, it is 38.5%
   • 5 basic human needs
     • Poor world
       • Food is difficult to come by and expensive
       • 1.2 billion people don't have access to safe drinking water and women and girls spend hours carrying and collecting water
       • 855 million people can't read or write and 73 million children receive no primary education
       • In many poorer countries hospital provision is poor, drug treatments must be paid for so treatable diseases often get worse.
       • Many people have low paid and low skilled jobs with few opportunities to flourish
       • People may spend long days in unsafe conditions
       • Little or no support for unemployed
     • Rich world
       • Food is cheap and easy to come by
       • Water taken for granted, rarely not available on tap
       • Primary and secondary education is free and all have access to education
       • In UK, there's free access to local GP's and hospitals and drugs and other treatments are subsidise or free
       • More people have jobs which have higher income.
       • Working conditions are monitored and meant to keep you safe.
       • Financial support for unemployed
     • Food
     • Water
     • Education
     • Health
     • Work

8. What are the causes of world poverty

   • Poverty cycle
     • Poverty can lead to a cycle of decline
       • Older generation look after children and work
         • Not enough wealth is made
           • Leads to hunger and poor health, person less able to look after children and work
             • leads to less money to buy food
   • Man-made or environmental
     • Environmental problems
       • Frequent natural disasters, weakens communities
     • Healthcare
       • Lack of basic healthcare makes it difficult for families and communities to develop economically
     • Bad government
       • Corruption and mismanagement waste resources and lead to bad decisions by leaders
     • HIV/Aids
       • Young adults part of workforce are often affected, so they die or are weakened and country can't develop
     • Conflict
       • Drives people from their homes and destroys their way of living so their unable to live safe and productive lives
     • Debt
       • Poorer countries have to pay back money to richer countries
     • Trade barriers
       • Unfair trade rules benefit richer countries
     • Greed in MEDC's
       • Richer and more powerful countries will consume far more wealth of the world than is fair

9. How Christians respond to the needs of the poor overseas

   • How do Christians respond to poverty
     • With a prayer
     • Give to charity
     • Campaign for a change
   • Christian charity
     • Churches have charity groups like Cafod, Trocaire etc.
       • Some churches have fast days or periods where people give something up for others
   • Campaigning against exploration
     • Look at causes of hard times
     • Workers in some factories are exploited
       • Children can be forced to work
       • Workers can be made to work too long without rest
       • And can be forced to work in unsafe conditions
       • Christians believe it's wrong and should be stopped
   • Fairer trading
     • Fairtrade Foundation
       • Established in 1992
       • An independant non-profit organisation
       • Believes trade should be just and with respect for all

10. Christian Aid, Tearfund, CAFOD & Trocaire

    • 4 Christian voluntary aid agencies who support the poorest and most disadvantaged, marginalised people throughout the world.
      • Their activities include:
        • -educational and awareness campaigns
          • -emergency relief (short-term aid)
            • -development projects (long-term aid)
              • -campaigning to promote justice.
              • These organisations help people in the long-term.
              • Quote- 'Give a man a fish and he can feed himself for a day, give him a fishing rod and you feed him for a lifetime.'
                • They improve access to drinking water and sanitation.
                  • Education and tools.
                    • And provide initial investments in some start up local businesses such as farms.
                      • Long term development helps people regain dignity, self-respect and the ability to support themselves.
            • Christian aid and CAFOD respond quickly to emergencies and disasters.
              • They help those affected by providing food and shelter.
            • Trocaire's emergency response provided 350,000 people with lifesaving food supplies.
            • Church networks can raise funds quickly by asking organisations and groups to help
          • Charities and aid agencies inspired by Christianity work to educate people in richer countries about the situation for people in poorer countries
            • They use leaflets, posters, books, videos, the internet and working through Churches
            • Different themes and projects are selected each year responding to new and ongoing emergencies
            • Educational teams work with community groups raising awareness and encouraging fundraising activities
          • They also work for justice in world.
            • Defending the rights of the poor and marginalised, throwing light on injustice and disadvantage
            • provide help for people living with HIV/Aids.
            • Also help women, who are often disadvantaged and discriminated against, often not having access to education and jobs.

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