Db Gracy Lamkang
Modern College, Kohima
Pope Francis head of the Catholic leader wrote in his encyclical (papal letters send to all the Bishops “Laudato Si” of the Roman Catholic Church). (Praise be to you) for every person living on the “Planet” not only to read but also to enter into dialogue with all people about our “Common Home”. Holy Father said in the letter and offer reflection, questions and actions to respond to His message. He sets the care for our common home within the context of the story of Creation. Stories that we have learnt and delight in as young children. A story that places before us the basic goodness of all creation, and the fundamental relationships that are ours- to God as our loving Creator to each other as having the same Creator and to Creation as a gift given to us by our Creator. Recognising God as our Creator is central to how we treat Creation.
In Laudato Si, Pope Francis, who has emerged as an avid advocate for the environment since his appointment, condemned the collective negligence on behalf of the planet and called for strong and immediate action on climate change.
“Young people demand change” the Encyclical letter reads. They wonder how anyone can claim to be building a better future without thinking of the environmental crisis and the sufferings of the excluded.
Pope Francis called to bridge the divide between communities in production of our commonly inherited Earth, lobbying with political leaders and private sector chiefs alike to urge the need for acting together to save the earth.
Reasons why we should care about the Planet Earth Our “Common Home.”
A clean Environment is essential for Healthy living. The more we don’t care about our environment, the more it will become polluted with contaminants and toxins that have a harmful impact on our health. Air pollution can cause respiratory diseases and cancer and many other problems and diseases. Water pollution can lead to typhoid and diarrhoea diseases etc.
Biodiversity is important: It refers to the variety of plants, animals and other living things in our world. It can be negatively influenced by habitat loss and degradation due to human activity, climate change and pollution, among other things.
Earth is Our Home: It’s where we live, so we better take care of it. For sure we could be better person if we help with small things for our home, this Planet that only we can have now.
The problems we are facing now are tough. However the good news is that, we don’t have to be an expert or a million are to save the planet. Everyone can help to do their best for the environment. In other words, if each of us can be more conscious of environmental issues and willing to take simple steps to save the Planet, we can make a huge contribution.
Nowadays with increasing environmental awareness among the public, people around the world are coming together to fight for a greener future and the effort has achieved greater results. As a pioneering member of the environmental advocacy community, Better World International is always committed to improve and take care of our surrounding environment by providing practical tips to its member on things they can do to live more sustainably and save the earth.
In conclusion, I strongly believe that in order to sustain “The Mother Earth” each individual needs to protect and take care of our “Common Home” that includes our concern to bring the whole human family together to seek a sustainable and integral development for I know that things can change. The humanity has the utmost responsibility to work together in building our “Common Home”. Though the world is rapidly progressing in its techno-digital field, the environment is affected immensely due to human cruelty, to satisfy their materialistic needs. The world craves for instant gratification which further leads to deteriorated state of the Mother Earth. The Earth’s resources are being plundered because of short-sighted approaches to the economy, commerce and production. The loss of species which constitute extremely important resources in future. The issue of water has also become a major concern. Thus the environment is badly affected. For these, humanity has to intervene. We must take the lead to take care of the eco-system. Caring for the eco-system demands for far-sightedness, replacement of barren forest with plantation of trees, preservation of resources etc.
Therefore each individual should make an admiral effort to protect the environment, and seek to restore the various levels of ecological equilibrium , establishing harmony with others, with nature and other living creatures. Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption in order to combat these environmental factors.
