Unit 8

A very large group of well- known scientists and religious leaders from around the United States collaborated on an appeal to convince the U.S. government to do something about our nation's polluting habits

Hunger, poverty, & overpopulation interact with another force: environmental degradation – The environment suffers as more & more people must share fewer & fewer resources

Environmental Limitations In developing countries, people living in poverty sell everything they own to obtain money for food – They cut trees for firewood & then they lose the soil to erosion – Without these resources, they become poorer still – Thus poverty contributes to environmental ruin And the ruin leads to hunger

Environmental degradation threatens the world’s ability to produce enough food to feed its people – The vicious cycle of poverty, population growth, and environmental degradation continues

Environmental Limitation in Food Production Soil erosion – Due to overtillage and overirrigation result in extensive loss of productive croplands Deforestation – Due to overgrazing lead to soil erosion Air pollution – Produced from burning of fossil fuels damages crops & depletes the ozone Ozone Depletion – Allows harmful radiation from the sun to damage crops

Environmental Limitation in Food Production Climate changes – Are caused by destruction of forests & concentartion of heat-trapping carbon dioxide produced by fossil fuels – A rise in global temperature may reduce soil moisture Impair pollination of major food crops such as rice & corn Slow growth Weaken disease resistance

Environmental Limitation in Food Production Water pollution – From agricultural sediments, salts, fertilizers, pesticides & manure limit: agricultural yields Drinking water Fishery production

Environmental Limitation in Food Production Water scarcity – Due to overuse of surface and ground water for irrigation may limit human population growth before food scarcity does – In many areas, the supplies of fresh water are already inadequate to fully support the survival of crops, livestock and people All in all, environmental problems are reducing the world’s ability to feed its people & keep them healthy

Increasing environmental degradation reduces our ability to produce enough food to the feed the people The rapid increase in the world’s population exacerbates the situation

In general, what are the common interests of science and religion?

Our own country is the leading polluter on Earth, – generating more greenhouse gases, especially CO2, than any other country. – Not by word alone but by binding action, our nation has an inescapable moral duty to lead the way to genuinely effective solutions.

We believe that science and religion, working together, have an essential contribution to make toward any significant mitigation and resolution of the world environmental crisis.

What common ground do religious groups and science share in this appeal?

We commit ourselves to work together for a United States that will lead the world – in the efficient use of fossil fuels, – in devising and utilizing renewable sources of energy, – in phasing out all significant ozone-depleting chemicals, – in halting deforestation and slowing the decline in species diversity, – in planting forests and restoring other habitats, – in realizing worldwide social justice –

It turns out that many scientists are religious believers - how can these two ways of viewing the world work well together?

Solutions Every segment of society can join the fight against hunger, poverty & environmental degradation

Solutions Government Action – Policies can change to promote sustainability Example: use tax dollars to develop energy consesrvation – Business Involvement Support antihunger programs Example: grocery stores & restaurants participate in food banks

Solutions Education – Teach others about the underlying social and political causes of poverty, the root cause of hunger – Teach the relationship between: Hunger & population – More than half of the world’s underweight kids live in just 3 countries: » Bangladesh, India, Pakistan Hunger & environmental degradation Hunger & the status of women Hunger & global economics

In conclusion The global environment, which supports all life is deteriorating – Largely because of irresponsible use of resources & energy – Governments, businesses & individuals have opportunities to make environmentally conscious choices

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.” – Ascribed to Chief Seattle, a 19 th century Native American

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