Religion and the Environment
Revision
Key words: write out the answers
then click to check them
Pollution
The contamination of the natural environment
Global warming
Increase CO2 in the atmosphere raises the temperature of the
earth, with potentially devastating effects on the environment
Conservation
Preserving and protecting the environment and its natural resources
Stewardship
Taking care of the environment on behalf of God and for the
benefit of future generations
Animal rights
The principle that animals have the right not to be exploited by
humans
Air
pollution
Water pollution
Types of pollution
Noise pollution
Land pollution
Effects of pollution
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Most scientists say that pollution has caused a
hole in the ozone layer and the greenhouse effect
which is heating up the earth
This in turn has caused the polar ice caps to melt
It has also meant that we experience more freak
weather conditions
However, not all scientists agree! Some believe
that this is a natural worldly cycle that happens
every so many thousands of years
Also, not all pollution is damaging e.g. noise
pollution only effects people, not the environment
Non-religious attitudes to the
environment
Many non-religious people are concerned about the environment.
Governments have pressured large companies such as McDonalds and
B&Q in to making sure that they recycle waste and that they ethically
source good.
Governments have also set targets to reduce CO2 and to recycle more,
hence many houses now have recycle bins and tips are more accessible.
It is understood that the effects of global warming are felt everywhere
but especially by LEDCs who experience more drought and so have food
shortages.
It is estimated that over the next few hundred years much of low land in
countries will be under water due to the melting of the ice caps e.g
much of Holland
On the other hand some people still don’t care what the damage is and
refuse to do their part. If governments really wanted change then more
could be done to make people have environmentally friendly cars and use
solar panels on their houses to get electricity
Greenpeace
This is a non-religious group who:
• Work for sustainable development
• Campaign against climate change
• Try to protect the rain forests from being
destroyed
• Stand up for animal rights e.g. they try to stop
whaling
They do this because they believe that the planet
belongs to everyone and so no one should destroy
it.
Ways people try to reduce pollution
• Recycle clothes, plastics, paper etc
• Use public transport or walk rather than use a car
• Use energy efficient products e.g. light bulbs,
washing machines
• Carry re-useable bags to cut down on plastic bags
• Buy local produce to reduce transports carbon foot
print
The Christian attitude to the
environment
All Christians believe that they
have a duty to protect and care
for the environment and should
not pollute it
This is because:
1. The Bible says that people were created by God to
be stewards – to take care of it on God’s behalf and
for the benefit of future generations
2.
God made the world and so it is not ours to ruin
3.
Christians believe they should protect the
environment for future generations, because God
wants the world to continue developing, not being
destroyed.
4.
If Christians look after the world then they will be
rewarded by God in heaven.
5.
Pollution is NOT looking after the planet. It is
selfish and does not look after the world as God
intended.
Buddhist attitudes to the
environment
All Buddhists believe that they
have a duty to protect and care
for the environment and should
not pollute it
This is because:
1. Buddhists believe that all life, in all forms, should
be respected, and not destroyed through e.g.
deforestation
2.
Buddha taught compassion for all life. Destroying
the environment affects humans, animals and the
whole of nature.
3.
The Dalai Lama said the ‘destruction of nature and
natural resources results from ignorance, greed and
lack of respect for the earth’s living things…this
lack of respect extends to future generations who
would inherit the degraded planet.
4.
‘Do not harm others’ (First Precept)
5.
There are Karmic consequences for all our actions.
Karma affects our rebirth.
Christian Aid
This is a Christian group who work for conservation.
They do this because they believe that humans are stewards
of the earth, and should look after it for God
They believe in the parable of the talents which says that
those who leave the earth in a better state than they
found it will go to heaven
They campaign against climate change and put pressure on
the international community to reduce CO2
They believe that we all have a responsibility to recycle and
to save the rainforests which are the lungs of the earth
Planet Earth
Test yourself
• Name the 4 types of pollution
• Which do not physically damage the
environment?
• Name 3 ways people try to reduce pollution
• What is the Buddhist and Christian attitude
towards the environment?
• Give 4 reasons a Christian has this view
• Give 4 reasons a Buddhist has this view
PLANET EARTH
• Give two ways we damage the earth. (2)
• Give two reasons why humans should look after the environment.
(2)
• Name two forms of renewable energy.
(2)
• Name two ways we use natural resources.
(2)
• Explain briefly how science believes the world began.
(4)
• Explain what makes it difficult to look after the environment. (Think
about in school, in your home street, in your country, across the world)
(4)
• ‘Only religious people have a duty to look after the world.’
(6)
Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you
have thought about more than one point of view, including the two
religious views you have studied.
8. ‘People today only think of themselves, not the planet.’
(6)
Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you
have thought about more than one point of view, including the two
religious views you have studied.
9. ‘A hotter world is a better world.’
(6)
Do you agree? Give reasons and explain your answer, showing that you
have thought about more than one point of view, including the two
religious views you have studied.