Earth Day 2014 - a Christian Perspective
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Transcript of Earth Day 2014 - a Christian Perspective
Apollo 15 - NASA
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Earth Day 2014
State of the Planet
A Christian Perspective
Elton B. Sherwin
Executive Director,
The Carbon Zero Institute
These are one persons observations and have not been endorsed by any church body
In 2014
More people well fed vs. any time in history
Billions of people who do not worry next meal
Don’t worry about famine in Europe and China
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Miraculous medicine
Far fewer deaths during
childbirth
Safer water and air quality
in some places
More than doubled life
expectancy
Image: Paco Alcantara
However…
Challenges:
World’s fisheries and coral reefs collapsing
Challenges with fresh water, soil and food
Climate is changing
2 billion new relatives on the way
2 billion living on less $5 a day have hard life
Do worry about next meal
Many don’t have access to clean water
Many die from preventable diseases 7
How Should We Think
About This?
Bi-polar world
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Two Extreme Viewpoints
End is near
Humanity is going off a cliff
Nothing we can do
Ignore the problems
Technology (or the market) will
save us
Not my problem
It’s not that bad
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“…fill the earth and subdue it.
…work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 1:28b, 2:15b
Biblical Perspective
Mankind has Excelled
At
Filling the earth
Image Wired.com
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“…fill the earth
…take care of it.”
Genesis 1:28b, 2:15b
Future Focus
Looking Ahead
Four Focus Areas
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My opinions, have not been endorsed by any church body
Four Focus Areas
1. Climate
Minimum +7º Fahrenheit in much of U.S.
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Evangelical Call to Action on
Climate Change
Signed by over 260 senior evangelical leaders
“Human-Induced Climate Change is Real…”
“The Consequences of Climate Change Will Be
Significant, and Will Hit the Poor the Hardest…”
“The need to act now is urgent. Governments,
businesses, churches, and individuals all have a
role to play in addressing climate change—
starting now.”
Underline added
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Signatories are People We Know
Richard Mouw, Ph.D.,
Former President,
Fuller Theological Seminary
Richard Stearns,
President, World Vision
Philip Eaton, Ph.D.,
President emeritus, Seattle Pacific University
Duane Litfin, Ph.D.,
President emeritus, Wheaton College
William P. Robinson, Ph.D.,
President emeritus, Whitworth College
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Not Bastions of Liberal Thinking
Huntington University
Anderson University
Rock Bridge Seminary
Fresno Pacific University
Crichton College
Lipscomb University
Eastern Nazarene College
Abilene Christian University
Houghton College
Northwestern College
Belhaven College
North Park Theological Seminary
Messiah College
They are collectively a thoughtful crew
Tabor College
Simpson University
Warner Southern College
MidAmerica Nazarene University
Mississippi College
Montreat College
Eastern Mennonite University
Southwest Baptist University
Trinity Christian College
William Jessup University
Milligan College
Missouri Baptist University
John Brown University
Second Focus Area
1. Climate
Minimum +7º Fahrenheit in much of U.S.
2. Deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity,
overfishing food scarcity
Historic causes of collapse of civil society
Easter Island, Haiti, Ethiopia…
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Third Focus Area
1. Climate
Minimum +7º Fahrenheit in much of U.S.
2. Deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity,
overfishing food scarcity
Historic causes of collapse of civil society
3. Surprise events: wars and plagues
Nuclear arsenal, germ warfare, pandemics
“Black Swan” events
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Fourth Focus Area
1. Climate
Minimum +7º Fahrenheit in much of U.S.
2. Deforestation, soil erosion, water scarcity,
overfishing food scarcity
Historic causes of collapse of civil society
3. Surprise events: wars and plagues
Nuclear arsenal, germ warfare, pandemics
4. Population
7 going to 9 or 10 Billion 20
High Population Density
Causes or accelerates
Deforestation
Water / food scarcity
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Greenhouse gases
Genocides and wars
Projected
Population
Growth to 2050 Image: Anthony Marr
Quick Pop Quiz
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“…be fruitful
…increase in number;
fill the earth.”
Genesis 1:28 partial
When This Was Written
The World’s Population
Was?
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Closer to
2
than
7,000,000,000
Another
2,000,000,000
Coming…
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Projected growth to 2050
Image: Anthony Marr
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being fruitful,
increasing in number,
and filling the earth.
to
Now is the Time
to Transition from
…taking care of it.
Three Recommendations
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Expand Projects that
Reduce Family Size
Increase funding from: NGOs,
foundations, charities, donor governments,
and churches:
Female run small business - 3x increase
Girls in high school - 3x increase in funding
Radio and TV focused on women’s health
and empowerment – 10x increase in funding
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#1
Make a 10% Commitment
All NGOs, foundations, charities, donor
governments, churches, mission trips:
For all projects that improve life expectancy:
Food, new crops, wells, water purification, drip
irrigation, vaccines, most drugs, most public health
projects, child wellness programs, etc.
10% of funding go to family planning
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#2
Focus on Areas Where
Population Increase Could
Destroy Civil Society
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#3
Egypt
Pakistan
India
Islam
Africa…
Projected growth to 2050
Image: Anthony Marr
Table Discussion
What projects does your church, NGO or
non-profit fund that increase population?
Water projects, clinics, vaccines, food aid, etc.
Does your organization fund projects that
fully offset this growth:
Female run small business
Girls in high school
Radio and TV focused on women’s health
Family planning resources, etc.
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“…fill the earth and subdue it.
…work it and take care of it.”
Genesis 1:28b, 2:15b
Now is the Time to