“Nature is a magnificent book in which God speaks to us and grants us a glimpse of his infinite beauty and goodness. Rather than a problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with gladness and praise” (Laudato Si’, 12).
So how have we, as a human race, turned the Joyful mystery of Nature into a Sorrowful one? Let’s unpack this together!
Today, quotes on the environment and climate change flood our inboxes and private messages, and many of us, sadly, have become immune to these repetitive warnings.
I wonder why – you and I care less? Could it be that responding to this call would mean a drastic change in our cozy, comfortable current lifestyle, and one which we are reluctant to make?
Convenience and luxury come with a heavy environmental cost. Let’s unravel a few of these inconveniences that are causing our planet to heat up like never before! If you have crossed all the boxes below , you are an environmental saint!
The following to-do list (if you aren’t already making them your lifestyle)follows no particular order. These are lifestyle practices I have adopted, and I invite you to consider all of them!
And now – let the test begin!
THE FILTH OF MODERN TRANSPORTATION
Being an environmentalist myself (a self-acclaimed one… lol), I used to knock on car doors whenever I saw a driver sitting cozily inside their air-conditioned cabin, their vehicle emitting an ugly trail of sickly, hot, and suffocating fumes. Of course, many were indignant, but I have a right to clean air too, don’t I? Nowadays, I have even started taking public transport to Church, and the feeling is ethereal! You should definitely try it! Even if you have to drive to the station, it is still worth the effort!
Questions:
Do I turn off the ignition when not on the move?
Do I carpool or take public transportation at least once a week?
OH PRECIOUS WATER!
I am mostly cautious about the water I use in my day-to-day life. Water from soaking veggies, rice water, and other liquids is all carefully poured into my flowering pots. My showers are short, sweet, and simple! On my washing machine, I use the shorter cycle, and if clothes need extra cleansing, I pause and let them soak for a bit before running the shorter cycle again. And of course, no fabric softeners at home, as they are a threat to marine habitats!
Questions:
Are my showers short?
Am I conscious of the water I send down the drains each day?
The BANE OF THE FLOWER INDUSTRY
The flower industry is a major contributor to soil pollution, releasing large amounts of toxins into the soil.
As for me, I have stopped buying flowers and have even told my family that there should be no flowers for my funeral – instead, those who want to visit can bring a potted plant, which will be distributed to all those who attend! They know I mean it! On another note, no candles burning at home or the funeral parlor either. They contribute to our carbon footprint. I have a lamp on my altar which I burn during prayer, but even this is used sparingly. I’m sure God understands!
Questions:
Do I support the flower industry and refrain from purchasing flowers for every occasion?
The TRAGEDY OF ANIMAL FARMING/OVER-FISHING
Animal farming is one of the major producers of greenhouse gases, which is lethal to our environment. In our fridge, we have stopped stocking ice cream. As for me, a once die-hard ice-cream lover, I occasionally indulge in a cone but not without feeling like I stole milk from that mother cow for a sheer 2-minute moment of pleasure!
Morning Coffees are mostly black – although I am still not quite used to this! Meat is also restricted, and we try not to overindulge in seafood. As a generation, we have stolen enough from the seas through overfishing and contributed to the destruction of this habitat!
Questions:
Do I consume fewer dairy products and eat moderately, keeping in mind that future generations will also need to survive?
The Toxic Textile Industry
The clothing industry is heavily reliant on massive amounts of water and toxic chemical waste, which are suffocating the planet, especially amid the increasing popularity of fast fashion. We have 2 groups of people at Church – the T-shirters (ones who seem to pick out that well-used T-shirt from the wash without a care for the creases and crevices) and the ones who wear the latest fashions and for whom the after-communion walk back to their pew is the pinnacle of the service! I once had a fancy for the shoes people wear to Church and, with my head bowed down – as if in reverent prayer – would examine the feet that passed me by. Sigh! Thank God that period is now in the past, although the temptation does arise every now and then. Now back to clothes and shoes – while on the one hand I wish we were responsible for our purchases, I am also drawn to the simplicity of the Holy Family and the saints who gave away all their material possessions to live a humble, simple lifestyle – St. Ignatius being my favorite! His battle with vanity is not for the faint-hearted! I invite you to delve into his story! Now have I strayed? Forgive the diversion…
Questions:
Do I give away my clothes and buy new ones from thrift stores, which are now growing in popularity?
How often do I find myself purchasing new clothes? Do I wear new ones for Christmas, Easter, etc.?
The Scandal of Deforestation
It is no secret that we are losing a large percentage of tree cover, and at the time of writing, a few courageous youths are suing the government of Malaysia for their irresponsible, illegal, and corrupt acts that are causing a large number of precious trees to be logged. So, for those of us who can’t see ourselves leading a protest, suing the government, etc., what can we do to make our environment cleaner and greener?
Here are some practical ways we can do our part to help our dying habitats.
What I do at home – plant more trees in my garden, and even if I do not get to enjoy the fruits, at least the birds, squirrels, and other fauna get to fill their tummies. At times, I have tried in vain to pick my papayas just after the first hint of yellow appears, but the squirrels beat me to it. The same goes for my cocoa, mango, coconut, jackfruit, banana, and passion fruit. But it does not upset me too much, although I feel they should at least leave some for me.
For those with landed properties, I hope your patch of land has not been tiled. Try growing a mango (tasty dessert), neem (attractive air-purifier), and a clump of palm trees (fruit for birds). For those with less space, palm trees are the easiest to grow. Now, for apartment dwellers, there are the refreshing indoor alternatives to a landed garden – the luscious evergreen indoor ficus, money & snake plants would definitely add to purifying your air naturally, besides providing a Garden of Eden within the confines of your four walls. We are blessed with good weather conditions for plants to thrive and grow. Let’s do our part and green our homes. If you would like to know more about indoor and outdoor gardening tips, do reach out to me joyslouis2@gmail.com
NATURE’S OWN!
In an effort to use fewer boxed and packaged products, I have created my own soap brand for family and friends, which is less harmful to our skin. You can also make your own soap without buying the ones sold in shelves and add your own oils and ingredients suited for your skin.
Also, think of other ways you can adopt to stop buying packaged items from supermarkets. Whenever I buy biscuits, I prefer those not wrapped in hard plastic. However, I am still stuck between online packaging, which offers items that you normally buy at ridiculously low prices, and buying from shops. The range of online shopping is also vast – this is a grey area for me, and one that needs serious thought, action, and tough decisions on my part!
To conclude, let each one of us take time off to not just glimpse but admire Nature as God is ever- present in His creation since admiration of Nature is adoration of God, our Creator. I remember this story about a Jesuit being asked how they spent their prayer time on a particular day. This was his reply: Oh, I just spent it hugging a tree!
I am looking forward to my 4-day silent retreat at the Maranath Retreat Center – a haven for Ignatian followers and Nature lovers. I would encourage you to take some time off at least once a year to make a silent retreat – get connected to God and Nature and be recharged to face life!
On a final note, if you would like to listen to my daily podcast on Spotify, where I give a casual take on the daily Scripture, please feel free to click on this link: https://open.spotify.com/show/46C23Ga88BwsX90sjw3VJp?si=JJzcaiDySOqiwavyeR3Fbw
Catholic Prayer For Earth Day | St. Francis’s Canticle of the Sun
O most High, almighty, good Lord God,
to you belong praise, glory, honor, and all blessing!Praised be my Lord God with all creatures;
and especially our brother the sun,
which brings us the day, and the light;
fair is he, and shining with a very great splendor:
O Lord, he signifies you to us!Praised be my Lord for our sister the moon,
and for the stars,
which God has set clear and lovely in heaven.Praised be my Lord for our brother the wind,
and for air and cloud, calms and all weather,
by which you uphold in life all creatures.Praised be my Lord for our sister water,
which is very serviceable to us,
and humble, and precious, and clean.Praised be my Lord for brother fire,
through which you give us light in the darkness:
and he is bright, and pleasant, and very mighty,
and strong.Praised be my Lord for our mother the Earth,
which sustains us and keeps us,
and yields divers fruits, and flowers of
many colors, and grass.Praised be my Lord for all those who pardon
one another for God’s love’s sake,
and who endure weakness and tribulation;
blessed are they who peaceably shall endure,
for you, O most High, shall give them a crown!Praised be my Lord for our sister,
the death of the body, from which no one escapes.
Woe to him who dies in mortal sin!
Blessed are they who are found walking by your
most holy will,
for the second death shall have no power to do
them harm.Praise you, and bless you the Lord,
and give thanks to God, and serve God
with great humility.— St. Francis of Assisi
Image: Photo by Noah Buscher on Unsplash
