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We gaze in delight at the swelling rivers and streams as they run cool and clear. We look up in awe at the majestic mountains, their lofty summits piercing the endless sky. We wander the lush forests, basking in the revolving palette of color. How lucky we are to share these gifts. And yet too often we fail to recognize that their very existence is at risk. Human consumption of natural resources – in the continuing effort to produce and provide energy – has had a devastating effect. We may be able to enjoy these wonders now, but the continued use of fossil fuels has endangered the environment for future generations. Do we really want to pass on a world where polluted rivers, crumbling mountains, and barren forests scar the landscape? Do we want our children and our grandchildren to breathe air polluted with toxic chemicals? It is important, then, that we act now. Our current reliance on fossil fuels greatly contributes to the destruction of the environment, and so we must find a more efficient way of producing energy. As people of faith and as stewards of the earth, it is our responsibility to protect this world. Please heed the call to care for God’s Creation.
Simply put, our reliance on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gases is destroying the environment. These materials account for approximately 85% of all fuels used in the United States. One obvious example is the oil we use to power our automobiles. But we use fossil fuels in other ways, too. You might not realize it, but much of the electricity you use – whether you’re flipping on a light switch or simply letting your refrigerator run – is the result of coal-burning power plants. One problem with using such resources is the destructive nature of their extraction. Our landscape is torn asunder as we search for coal and natural gases. Forests and oceans – as well as the creatures that inhabit them – are cleared away in the effort to drill for oil. The mere process of finding and procuring these resources is devastating to the natural world. Actually using them poses another problem altogether! By burning fossil fuels, harmful greenhouse gases are continuously released into the atmosphere. It has become the dominant belief that these gases destabilize current atmospheric conditions and in turn adversely effect climate and weather patterns across the globe. The result is the devastating condition of climate change called global warming. An increase in droughts, floods, and mean global sea level are the likely result. Moreover, such weather anomalies will no doubt affect the human population, as millions (particularly those in developing nations) will be forced to deal with an increasingly harsh environment. And we use these fuels every day! Consider your car again. Burning one gallon of gasoline releases 28 pounds of CO² into the air. Moreover, fossil fuel power plants release hundreds of millions of tons of pollution into the air. This pollution contributes to acid rain and smog as well as to global warming. Clearly, our reliance on fossil fuels has become a threat to the environment and to ourselves. Through their extraction and use, we are in fact destroying the world in which we live. We’ve tried one major alternative – nuclear power – but the inherent dangers (e.g. accidental nuclear meltdowns, difficulty disposing of toxic nuclear waste, etc.) offset any benefit this energy source has to offer. So then, what can be done? There are a number of steps you can take to help promote clean, renewable energy. One way is to contact your representatives in Washington, DC. Encourage them to introduce and support provisions that would encourage energy efficiency. Ask your Senators and Representative to support legislation that:
But don’t stop there! As an individual you can take steps to help the environment and be more fuel-efficient. Consider these changes in your daily routine:
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