Christian Social Ethics Report

The global environment of the world is under attack every day. Global warming, deforestation and acid rain are just a few of the threats facing our world. Many people tend to turn a blind eye to these issues. Some people do not even want to acknowledge that these problems exist but, the facts are there and the number do not lie. The 2007 U.N. report concluded that evidence for global warming is unequivocal, and that the actions of humans are primarily responsible (Thompson, 2010). Awareness is the first step in fixing the problem. It is our responsibility as not only Christians but as human beings in general to be aware of the critical situation that our global environment is in. After awareness comes action. It is our obligation to make better choices and practices to help combat the massive amount of damage that has already incurred. I experience environmental responsibility every day when I am at work. I am fortunate enough to work for a company who prides themselves on being extremely environmentally conscious.

Even though the Catholic social teaching ideology does not specially speak to environmental responsibility I think their view can be pertained to how we treat and care for the earth. For example, one who practices Catholic social teaching believe that an understanding of justice requires persons to be responsible for one another and to work together for common objectives (Class notes, 14). Pope John Paul II, a follower of Catholic social teaching, believed that this dedication to social justice not only helps the individual but also the common good (Class notes, 14). I consider that this belief relates to our obligation for being environmentally responsible because it benefits not only us as individuals but society as a whole and future generations to come. Taking care of the earth we live in sis doing what is best for the common