On October 31, we had a Peace Day event at the University of Incarnate Word. Part of this event is to talk about Biodiversity, Sustainability, and Inclusivity in one segment. Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh (see qumsiyeh.org) shared with us information about human and biological diversity in the Holy Land (Palestine). He is the founder and volunteer director of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University (see palestinenature.org). We learned about how colonization affected the environment in many countries but the focus was on damage done in Palestine (e.g. diversion and destruction of the Jordan River system, draining wetlands, uprooting millions of trees, the impact of war on nature). This he explained is a typical colonial system that declares war on human and biological diversity. Palestine was a multi-ethnic, multicultural, multi-religious, and multilingual society that was to be changed to become a monolithic Jewish state. This had consequences for both people and nature. Qumsiyeh also addressed non-violent resistance (which he and other Palestinians call popular resistance). He explained its long history in Palestine and its successes. He explained how Gandhi opposed the British occupation. He spoke of Desmond Tutu and of Martin Luther King Jr. He drew parallels between Palestine today under Israeli colonization that left 8.5 million Palestinian Christians and Muslims as refugees/displaced people and Palestine of 2000 years ago under Roman rule. Jesus had taught Palestinian Christians like Mazin the necessity of helping the needy and challenging unjust systems. Having just completed the olive harvest in the botanic garden of the institute, Qumsiyeh explained the value of olive trees (first domesticated in our region) but also explained the harassment of farmers destruction of trees, and land confiscation by the Israeli colonial occupiers. He argued that this conflict in Palestine must be ended as it is an aberration that harms people and nature (citing examples of genocide and ecocide happening in Palestine). Dr. Qumsiyeh also talked about the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability which has a vision of sustainable human and natural communities. To arrive at this vision, the institute engages in research, education, conservation (of both cultural and natural heritage), and community service. The facilities act as an oasis of peace and hope for both humans and plants and animals. He explained how people can volunteer (palestinenature.org/volunteer) or support in other ways (you can email him at mazin@qumsiyeh.org or info@palestinenature.org) for more information.
Another speaker in this segment is Vladimir Narsia who talked about the ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. The Patriarch earned the title particularly because of his strong advocacy on Care for Creation even before the Laudato Si was launched. Patriarch Bartholomew had several initiatives through gatherings, prayers, and letters asking people to work on charity for the environment and to subdue the greediness that is degrading the world into climate change, a decline of biodiversity, among many obvious effects of the imbalance in the eco-system. In 1989, the Green Patriarch proclaimed September 1 as the World Day of Prayer for Creation with his first encyclical on the environment. Subsequently, other Christian churches followed the initiatives of the Green Orthodox initiatives. It was in 2015 that the Roman Catholic Church through Pope Francis Laudato Si' that the Western church joined the Orthodox in the concrete advocacy and work to Care for Creation, facing the reality of Climate Change and its effects. The two Christian leaders now with their voices are working to ask the people of all nations to pray, reflect, and take every opportunity that all nonprofit organizations, business institutions, and individuals can do for the environment to give the dignity that it deserves affecting the most vulnerable.
Following the talk on the love of Creation as initiated by the advocacies and initiatives of the Green Orthodox Church, is the hope that we all have and can share with our neighbors and the rest of the world. We have our own share of responsibility toward "Socio-ecological Justice". Since the 19th century, there have been several green organizations that care for the rights and dignity of the environment. Laudato Si' Movement is one among the many of these. It is a movement that aims to spread the Gospel in a new way. We are all connected. Globally, we are affecting the ecological balance causing climate change, decline of biodiversity, and extreme natural disasters. We are invited to pray, reflect, and take action on our ailing planet. Laudato Si' means "Praised be to You [my God]". We are all connected and we praise God by our witness. We are not living in isolation. We can contribute to solving the climate crisis by advocacies, a low-carbon footprint lifestyle through eco-conscious living, reducing single-use plastics, and turning to reusable and ecologically friendly products that do not harm the environment. We can ask ourselves before we patronize any products, will it cause harm to another person, creature, or creation? There is no such thing as small and insignificant in this global project. Other ways that the Congregation of Sisters of Charity of Incarnate Word contributes to this cause is through the Headwater's native program, solar-powered water source for wildlife, soil research, and growing native prairie. Scientists are concerned about this greenhouse gas coming from methane and carbon dioxide. The greenhouse gases are trapped in the atmosphere instead of being released into beyond. It is important to note that Texas, in particular, has the largest methane emitter in the world due to the Permian Basin. In addition to the Permian Basin, other shale sites in Texas similarly impact the environment directly. We have our humble individual actions and yet all are significant as reminded by Pope Francis. We are all called to be responsible within the limits of the ecological system. Through individual and systemic actions, we can become more hopeful with awareness combined with actions to have a climate-ready future.
The session ended with JPIC awards to the attendees of the event where they received the Gospel of Peace book by Father John Dear, the compost bin to promote eco-friendly practice in daily living, sponsored by JPIC, and the Innocent Project sweater provided by one of the Incarnate Word Sisters.
https://laudatosianimators.org
https://sierraclub.org
https://environmentamerica.org
Env. Defense Fund https://edf.org
https://paxchristi.org
https://alamo.edu/nvc/experience-nvc/community/peace-center
https://paceebene.org/
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