• Bishop Thomas Chakiath
  Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus,
  Archdiocese of Ernakulam-Angamaly

The Earth, which St. Francis of Assisi poetically described as both our mother and sister, finds herself in the grip of a grave crisis. Natural disasters are becoming disturbingly frequent across the globe. Torrential rains, cloudbursts, landslides, and floods now seem to occur daily. Pope Francis insightfully characterizes these phenomena as the anguished cries of Mother Earth. Water, air, and soil are increasingly polluted. Global warming is accelerating at an alarming rate, disrupting the delicate balance of nature. This alarming reality threatens the very existence of all living beings, including humanity.

A New Scenario of Sin

The root of this environmental catastrophe lies in the deep-seated selfishness within us. Human Family, the stewards of the Earth, is now driven by self-centered desires. Misguided notions of progress have reduced people to mere consumers. In a world where greed and insatiable desires reign, no amount of material wealth seems enough. Luxury and waste have become the norm, leading to the unchecked exploitation of nature.

“The root of the environmental catastrophe lies in the
deep-seated selfishness within us. Human Family,
the stewards of the Earth, is now driven by self-centered desires.
Misguided notions of progress have reduced people to mere
consumers. In a world where greed and insatiable desires reign,
no amount of material wealth seems enough.
Luxury and waste have become the norm, leading to the
unchecked exploitation of nature.”

This relentless plundering of nature, driven by selfishness and a lack of restraint, constitutes a grave offense against all life—both present and future. Despite urgent pleas from the global leaders and spiritual voices like Pope Francis for swift and decisive action, progress remains elusive. The core of the problem lies in the abandonment of moral values, leading to a distorted perception of the common good. A dangerous ethos is emerging: the belief that personal pleasure justifies any action, regardless of its consequences. This mindset lays the foundation for a new and perilous era of sin.

Environmental Study and Conversion

To avert this crisis, we must renounce lifestyles that harm every form of life on Earth. Instead, we should embrace a way of living grounded in spiritual values. Ecological conversion was first used in the Catholic Church by St. John Paul II. In Laudato Si’, Pope Francis echoing St. John Paul II, identifies our current ecological crisis as a “summons to profound interior conversion.” What everyone needs, he writes, is an “‘ecological conversion,’ whereby the effects of their encounter with Jesus Christ become evident in their relationship with the world around them” (LS 217). Laudato Si’Movement defines ecological conversion as the “transformation of hearts and minds toward greater love of God, each other, and creation. It is a process of acknowledging our contribution to the social and ecological crisis and acting in ways that nurture communion: healing and renewing our common home.”

“A new dimension of love and care for
our fellow beings is now required of modern society.
Even the smallest actions that disrupt nature’s balance
must be taken seriously. By curbing our excessive consumption,
we can help restore nature’s equilibrium.
This represents a new form of love – one that
recognizes our responsibility to the Earth and to each other.
There is no other solution to the dire environmental
crisis looming before us.”

Ecological conversion can only occur through an intimate relationship with nature. Pope Francis’ call to view nature as an object of contemplation is particularly poignant. The Holy Scriptures affirm this wisdom, stating, “For from the greatness and beauty of created things comes a corresponding perception of their Creator” (Wisdom 13:5). David’s Psalms, offered in gratitude to God, reflect the profound beauty of nature, as he gives thanks for the wondrous universe crafted by the Divine.

The gifts of the Earth, bestowed by God, belong not only to us but to all living beings and future generations. Through a deeper study of nature, we come to recognize the interconnectedness of life—a sacred obligation to live in harmony. Sirach reminds us, “Species do not oppress each other or act contrary to the nature given by God” (Sirach 16:28). Ignoring this sacred order enables the reckless exploitation of the Earth. St. Francis of Assisi, who called all creatures his brothers and sisters, beautifully captured this worldview. His message highlights the eternal order that binds humanity to every element of creation—air, water, soil, sun, and moon. The severe environmental crises we face stem from our disruption of this divine harmony.

Undesirable Lifestyles

Modern culture places excessive emphasis on sensory indulgence, fostering a climate where self-restraint is rare. No amount of wealth or material goods can satisfy this endless craving. The result? Increased luxury, widespread waste, and the unchecked production of disposable goods. Manufacturers, driven by profit, perpetuate this throwaway culture, producing items designed for single use, thereby contributing to environmental degradation. From frequently changing car models to rebuilding homes in the name of fashion, this lifestyle generates mountains of waste. This cycle of excess ultimately pollutes the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the soil that sustains us, spreading disease and despair in its wake.

Enough is More

The antidote to this spiraling crisis lies in embracing simplicity. A lifestyle of moderation, where ‘enough’ is recognized as sufficient, offers a path forward. Each of us must practice restraint—in our clothing, food, housing, transportation, and celebrations. Moving away from impulsive consumption is essential. Nature, in her wisdom, operates on the principle of zero waste, where all things return to the Earth in a seamless cycle. We must align our consumption patterns with this natural rhythm. Those who chase after the biggest, most expensive, or most luxurious must learn the profound lesson of moderation, a lesson taught by the nature itself. Animals, for example, never consume more than they need.

A New Dimension of Love

We must acknowledge the grave threat that the environmental crisis poses to all life on Earth. Our reckless interference with nature has already driven countless species to extinction, with many more on the brink. In this context, a rapid transformation in our lifestyle is urgently needed to safeguard life. A new dimension of love and care for our fellow beings is now required of modern society. Even the smallest actions that disrupt nature’s balance must be taken seriously. By curbing our excessive consumption, we can help restore nature’s equilibrium. This represents a new form of love – one that recognizes our responsibility to the Earth and to each other. There is no other solution to the dire environmental crisis looming before us.