Environmental Issues: Stewardship

Question 1

Stewardship

Answer 1

Theological idea which states that God has given the earth to human beings. As such, he expects us to look after it.

Question 2

Conservation

Answer 2

Concerned with how humans should interact with and understand the nature of the environment.

Question 3

Western approach to Animal Welfare

Answer 3

• Had a historic tendency to give little consideration to the welfare of animals.
• Animals have often been judged to be the subordinates of human beings due to their interior rational capacities.

Question 4

Justification for Western approach to Animal Welfare

Answer 4

• Genesis 1:26: God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
• This portrays humankind as the divinely-ordained master of nature.

Question 5

Dominion

Answer 5

Humans were instated by God to rule over the Earth and use its resources for their own purpose.

Question 6

Christian Approach to Stewardship

+ Justification

Answer 6

• Many Christians are more inclined to emphasise the biblical concept of stewardship.
• Humans have a duty from God to protect and preserve the Earth.
• Genesis 2:15: The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

Question 7

Value and Beauty of Creation

Answer 7

• There are numerous passages in the Bible which outline the value and beauty of creation.
• The world is a symbol of God’s divine love so should therefore be respected.

Question 8

Evidence of Value and Beauty of Creation (what does it mean)

Answer 8

• Isiah 24:4-5: The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the heavens languish with the earth. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant.
• Many Christians believe this means environmental damage is a part of human sin.

Question 9

Animal Welfare and Protection: Indian religions:

Answer 9

• Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism have traditionally considered the welfare of animals in the common principle of ahimsa.

Question 10

Changes in Law over the last 200 years:

Answer 10

• Act to Prevent the Cruel and Improper Treatment of Cattle (1822)
• Protection of Animals Act (1911)
• Cock Fighting Act (1952)
• Abandonment on Animals Act (1960)
• Zoo Licensing Act (1981)
• Animal Welfare Act (2007)

Question 11

Sustainability

Answer 11

Sustainability: the Earth’s capability to continue supporting life.

Question 12

Why is sustainability needed?

Answer 12

• In modern society, fossil fuels are needed for transportation, energy and the mass manufacture of consumer goods.
• Often requires the destruction of natural habitats so that land is cleared for agricultural use or large-scale building projects.
• These things take a heavy toll on the natural world.

Question 13

Sustainable Development

Answer 13

• Various strategies have been developed to reduce the amount of harm human activity has on the environment.
• Examples include the use of wind and solar power, and the development of green spaces in urban environments.