Develop consciousness of human stewardship in the use of the environment
On Wednesday, 22 May, the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace
published the following statement for the World Day of Biological
Diversity. The Council reflected on this year's theme, forest
biodiversity, the need for human life and survival, and showed how it is
connected with the effort of the Holy See to promote sustainable growth.
"If sustainable development is taken as a step in ensuring integral
human development, it will seek to base itself on a spirit of service to
humanity and to the whole of creation. This task carries moral and
ethical implications, and has a deep spiritual foundation: ‘man, the
only creature on earth that God wanted for its own sake, cannot fully
find himself except in sincere self-giving’ (Gaudium et spes, n.
24). There is an obvious need for more serious and responsible
approaches to the use of the earth's natural resources, but ones that do
not neglect the greatest of resources, the human person".
This year's World Day of Biological Diversity, celebrated on 22 May,
is dedicated to the theme of forest biodiversity. This theme is of
global importance and is a fitting subject for this year's
commemoration, as the World Summit for Sustainable Development
approaches. This World Day of Biological Diversity may thus help draw
our attention to the vast and ample richness of our forests, too much of
which now seems to be threatened.
Humanity needs forests and species
Difficult scientific and technical questions surround the definition
of forests and the amount of forest cover in the world, yet it is clear
that forests possess a great variety of the earth's species. As God's
creation, these species reflect much beauty and enhance our natural
habitat; a heightened sense of this diversity increases our sense of awe
and mystery before the Almighty's work. The natural wonders of creation
provide humanity with sources of recreation, opportunities for leisure
and relaxation, and grounds for reflection, without which human life
would be spiritually and culturally impoverished.
Humanity needs forests to sustain life
Forests also bring many advantages to humanity's well-being and aid
in its development, for there are direct and indirect links between the
natural resources found in forests and the sustainability of
human life. A large number of needed commercial products, such as
construction timber, furniture, paper and firewood, come from forests,
as do various species of plants and microorganisms that help produce
many medicines and antibiotics. Others are sources of food or serve as
means of genetically improving strains of edible plants. Furthermore,
forests provide extensive environmental benefits by helping to prevent
soil erosion and absorbing carbon dioxide, and thereby help regulate the
earth's climate.
Loss of forests leads to loss of species
Mismanagement and overexploitation appear to be depleting many forest
resources, especially those found in tropical forests which are home to
the majority of animal and plant species and contain the largest biomass
on the planet. Much of this loss may indeed result from the political,
social and economic problems faced primarily by developing countries.
Poor and landless people often have no recourse other than to scavenge
and exploit wood fuel for cooking and heating, and this overuse may lead
to deforestation and desertification. Some developing countries realize
that allowing access to their tropical forests is a quick and easy path
to needed financial resources. The realities of these economic pressures
indicate that the solution to protecting forest biodiversity rests in
eradicating absolute poverty and providing greater opportunities for the
world's poor.
Measures for conserving resources
A number of practical measures have been taken to conserve the
biological resources found in forests, and, given the great creative
potential of the human person, more can certainly be developed.
Approaches of species protection that leave species in their natural
habitat as well as those that preserve them in other settings can be
beneficial. Better managed, plantation forests have become another way
of insuring permanent genetic preservation. Land tenure reform, such as
better defined tenure rights and more stringent governmental
enforcement, would give those who rely on forests for their survival and
livelihoods more responsibility and control over these resources.
Allowing forest land owners to benefit from their property may indeed
provide incentives for long-term conservation. Finally, the search for
more efficient uses and sources of energy, which would help lessen the
burden development concerns may place on the environment, is also
necessary. All of these are ways to properly "keep" and
"cultivate" (cf. Gn 2,15) those creatures God has entrusted to
us.
Understand human call to safeguard creation and take care of fellow
human beings
In view of the World Summit for Sustainable Development,
international, regional and national efforts to promote responsible and
lasting development are being promoted. Many important sectors of
society, ranging from environmental and labour groups and agriculture to
science and industry, are deeply involved in this process. These efforts
need to be supported by a greater understanding of man's unique vocation
to safeguard creation and care for his fellow human beings. If
sustainable development is taken as a step in ensuring integral human
development, it will seek to base itself on a spirit of service to
humanity and to the whole of creation. This task carries moral and
ethical implications, and has a deep spiritual foundation: "man,
the only creature on earth that God wanted for its own sake, cannot
fully find himself except in sincere self-giving" (Gaudium et
spes, n. 24).
There is an obvious need for more serious and responsible approaches
to the use of the earth's natural resources, but ones that do not
neglect the greatest of resources, the human person. We are called to
make the best use of our God-given talents and abilities; in this case,
by measuring the scope and extent of our social, economic and
environmental problems and taking concrete steps for the increased
protection of threatened forests and biological species. The Holy See
therefore encourages all to develop a renewed consciousness of
humanity's special vocation place in the world and relationship to the
environment.
The Holy See cordially wishes those participating in this World Day
of Biological Diversity much success in their endeavours on behalf of
creation.
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