Save the trees

"At one time forests covered nearly 15 billion acres of land. But men have consumed and destroyed trees far more rapidly than the trees have been replaced by nature, with the result that approximately one-third of the original forests have disappeared. In most industrial countries wood is still being consumed more rapidly than it is being replaced by new growth--in Europe and America at a rate between 10 and 15 per cent faster than the rate of replacement."
~Harrison Brown, The Challenge of Man's Future, 1956, p. 128

Now, I need to see how those figures stack up today--this quote is 51 years old! But what an interesting bit of research it would be to see how this measures with today's rates of consumption and re-plantation.

God--Man--Nature

It seems that we have the following scenario: God...Man...Nature

Now here is the debate: Exactly what relationship does this produce? There are some who say that this causes Man to dominate and destroy nature. What he sees as an object he misuses, abuses, and refuses...

But I would pose this question: I don't misuse my car. I value it and try to take care of it--it's the only car I have (yes, my wife has a car also, but I don't have many cars at my own personal disposal).

I have a home. It's the only home I have. I take care of it, seal the windows, fix leaky spots in the roof. I take care of it.

I have clothes. I don't wear high fashion, but I don't have an unlimited budget either. So I wash my clothes, patch the holes that sometimes come, and sew back buttons that have fallen off.

You see my point? Just because God has given Man a position of dominance over Nature, this does not mean that we must abuse it either. Man values what he cares about. And, as Christians we value what our Lord values--and this earth is still His earth--therefore we should value it as He values it.

Fair-Trade Coffee and the Kingdom

Would Jesus drink coffee? I'm not sure if they had it in Bible days--my limited research on that seems to be 'no'...

But if Jesus were walking around today, would he drink coffee? And what kind?

Now you have to understand--I love coffee. Yes, I love Jesus. And I love coffee. I know--it's cheap to use the same word 'love' for things you like versus people you really love. I know...

But I think if Jesus were walking around today--he'd drink Fair-Trade coffee. Why? Because it's a great way for us in the West to say to those in developing countries--Hey, we care...

Fair-Trade is a great way to promote justice, a fair living wage, and puts dollar signs on compassion. I know it doesn't fix all the problems in the world, but maybe, just maybe, Juan Valdez will be able to send his kids to college because of it.

And that's good to the last drop!

Eco-Justice--a concept Christians should understand...

When it comes to global stewardship of the earth and its resources, it is fitting to show how the Christian faith promotes such activity (albeit historically this has not always been the case). And I think another dimension worth considering is that of 'eco-justice'.

Eco-justice gives a moral picture or flavor to environmental stewardship/management. Are we practicing justice towards future generations by our use of resources today. Yes--if we are doing the best of our ability to use those resources wisely and prudently. No, if we are acting and consuming as if there is no tomorrow (or, as if the resources are bountiful and unlimited).

Eco-justice also brings up another interesting point. For the developing nations around the world who want to 'play catch up' to our Western lifestyles of wealth and privilege, many of them may feel that the rope out has just been cut. Let's face it--the Western nations--or even moreso, the developed world, was made by huge amounts of resources that were consumed at unsustainable rates.

So this begs the next question: Is the Developed world standing up a foundation built upon the mismanagement of resources--and now, to be 'green' we are preventing the developing nations from digging out of their economic holes? Just a question...