International Mother Earth Day is a reminder of our planet's beauty and the urgent need for its protection, says the writer.
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Once more the world will be marking International Mother Earth Day on 22 April. This is a reminder of the beauty and grandeur of our planet, and the crucial need for protecting and preserving its resources.
In the Bahá'í view, as trustees of the earth’s vast resources and biological diversity, humans have to protect the “heritage of future generations”, and approach the earth – the source of material bounties – with humility and moderation.
Currently, our planet is facing serious environmental crises, including climate change, deforestation, soil erosion, plastic pollution, and water shortages. It is evident that our current world order – largely driven by materialistic values and standards – has failed to protect the environment from ruinous damage. This is because our societies are mainly concerned with expansion, acquisition of goods, and the constant creation and gratification of wants.
The search for solutions to environmental challenges has revealed the limits of traditional technological and policy approaches. Protecting our environment should be viewed, not only in technical and economic terms, but also as a moral and ethical challenge. In addition, it requires concern for the welfare of all humanity over group interests.
According to a statement of the Bahá'í International Community, “Material civilization, driven by the dogmas of consumerism and aggressive individualism and disoriented by the weakening of moral standards and spiritual values, has been carried to excess. Only a comprehensive vision of a global society, supported by universal values and principles, can inspire individuals to take responsibility for the long-term care and protection of the natural environment”.
There is a need to observe justice and equity to a mode of sharing and caring for our natural resources.
The wise use and care of the earth’s resources depend on our acceptance of the oneness of the human family. And it will depend on our unity as humanity. A vision for the future, based on unity and cooperation is necessary, because as long as one group of nations perceives its interests in opposition to another, progress will be limited and short-lived.
“In order to progress beyond a world community driven by a largely economic and utilitarian calculus, to one of shared responsibility for the prosperity of all nations”, states the Bahá’í International Community, the principle of oneness of humanity “must take root in the conscience of the individual. In this way, we come to recognize the broader human agenda – which subsumes those of climate change, poverty eradication, gender equality, development, and the like – and seeks to use both human and natural resources in a way that facilitates the progress and well-being of all people” and “As consciousness of the oneness of humankind increases, so too does the recognition that the wealth and wonders of the earth are the common heritage of all people, who deserve just and equitable access to its resources”.
Thus, living in harmony with our planet requires commitment to higher moral standards and a vision for the future, based on unity, justice, and willing cooperation among the people of all nations, in addition to economic and technical considerations.
It also requires that resources be directed away from those activities and programs that are damaging to both the social and natural environments, and used towards the creation of systems that foster cooperation and mutualism.
* For feedback please contact: secretary.nsa@bahai.org.za or (011) 801 3100
* Websites: www.bahai.org, www.bahai.org.za