So after 2 years of studying environmental science and international development I'd become quite cynical and disheartened about the state of the world, as a lot of people in the business probably are. It even explains I guess why there is a sever lack of anything constructive happening to combat climate change and poverty and everything in between, on an international, national and individual level. For example, ask your friends and family how many of them only buy recycled products, low carbon products and don't waste energy? Unless they live in an eco-village in Wales or something its likely you'll be shrugged off as an 'eco-geek'. So where's the hope? Why bother with all this anyway?
Well more recently God has reached into my lectures and given me some thoughts about conservation and sort of given me a new inspiration. I've been meaning to write them down somewhere so what better place than here?
Ok so a few weeks ago I had a lecture entitles 'why conserve biodiversity?' As a class we spouted the usual textbook reasons such as its good for ecosystems and farmers, it can improve livelihoods, we need it to meet future food demands etc etc only to be told that no, the main reason for conservation in policy has been for human enjoyment or to conserve nature for natures sake, which usually involves creating national parks in beautiful scenery and protecting endangered tigers and bears. My lecturer then went through a series of 'holiday snaps' of some of the incredible species we have on this planet along with stories such as "has anyone ever held a swallow and felt its tiny heartbeat or breathed a bird back to life and launched it?" The jist of what he was getting at was that humans are drawn to nature for some reason and that is why we conserve it. This is what triggered my first thought...why do we feel do drawn to nature and therefore want to keep it that way?
It seems a reality to me that a creator is revealed in its creation. Look at a family photo, or a picture of an older generation of the family in their twenties. You can usually see some kind of similarities between them, wether it be certain traits or a more striking resemblance. So, working on this principle if God created the Earth He would be revealed not only through us but through nature. In fact, the Bible tells us that this is the case! For example Psalm 19 says that "the heavens declare the glory of God". The Bible also tells us that our very souls yearn for God, they are crying out for Him from within us whether we belive in Him or not so will be drawn to things that reveal Him.
Therefore, I believe that people conserve nature because deep down we know that there is something so incredibly miraculous about it. Everything on Earth was created with thought and love and given to us as a gift. We want to save it because it represents something far more beautiful and mindblowing than we can imagine. But more than this, it is our purpose. God gave us everything on Earth but I see this more as a safekeeping measure - God created it and Jesus inherits it by dying on the cross and is going to redeem it all someday (check it out in Colossians 1!). So if something has been entrusted to your safekeeping you look after it right?
In summary - God created nature so is revealed in it, He is awesome so we are drawn to nature and want to keep it that way, He also gave it to us for safekeeping so we should be looking after it!!
Amen, Sister!
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