The Lodestar

World Environment Day urges us to pause and reflect on one truth: the planet is our shared home. Despite our divisions—national, political, or cultural—we breathe the same air, depend on the same soil, and drink from the same waters. Our dependence on creation unites us. The theme this year, “One thing all of us share,” is not abstract. It is air, earth, water, and the fragile systems that sustain life.

Stewardship, Not Ownership

Scripture does not portray humans as owners of creation but as stewards. In Genesis, the man was placed in the garden “to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). This call implies responsibility, not dominion. It is not a licence to exploit but a mandate to preserve. The Hebrew word for “keep” (shamar) denotes guarding or watching over with care. This theological framework directly opposes the consumeristic model that treats nature as disposable. For example, unchecked deforestation in the Amazon not only threatens biodiversity but alters rainfall patterns globally. One nation’s greed becomes another’s drought. The Christian ethic requires not exploitation but protection—rooted not in profit but in obedience.

The Cost of Neglect

Neglect of the environment is no longer theoretical. Climate-related disasters, rising sea levels, and food insecurity are harsh realities that we face. While the Global South contributes the least to emissions, it suffers the most. In Bangladesh, rising waters displace families. In parts of Africa, desertification has made once-fertile lands barren. This injustice violates the biblical command to “love your neighbour” (Mark 12:31). Environmental degradation is not just an ecological issue—it is a moral issue. By poisoning rivers or wasting resources, we do not only harm animals or trees; we hurt the poor, the voiceless, and future generations.

A Theology of Simplicity

To respond, we must cultivate a theology of simplicity. The prophets warned against indulgence that forgets justice (Amos 5:24). Simpler living—using less plastic, consuming less energy, walking more—are not mere lifestyle trends but acts of worship. Choosing a reusable bottle over a disposable one may seem small, but multiplied across billions, it becomes transformational. These daily decisions are spiritual disciplines, echoing the call to “seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly” (Micah 6:8).

Hope Through Action

It is tempting to despair. The crisis feels too big. But the Gospel teaches that transformation often begins in small acts. Jesus fed a crowd with five loaves and two fish (John 6:9–13). Likewise, small choices—such as planting a tree, supporting local farms, and educating others—carry profound potential. Churches can become green sanctuaries, teaching and practising environmental care. Youth can lead campaigns in schools. The elderly can share stories of a simpler, more sustainable past. Hope is not abstract; it is lived, practised, and shared.

On this World Environment Day, let us remember that creation is not just a backdrop to human life—it is God’s gift to be treasured. One thing all of us share is the earth Itself. To care for it is not a political option or scientific duty alone—it is a spiritual imperative.

(Thangchinlian Guite, with a lifelong passion for writing, finds joy in weaving his imagination into words on paper.)