Living in an urbanised setting like Singapore makes it even more difficult to understand the importance of preserving nature as we urbanites have lost all direct dependence on nature itself, less the occasional walk in the park. The students I teach as a teaching assistant in the university often do not comprehend the need to study basic biology and ecology but honestly, I don't blame them. Subjects on biotechnology and biomedical research have taken centre stage for their economical promises and pharmaceutical rewards. The study of ecology has been reduced to the 'last chapter in my biology book which teacher says not important to study'. It's just an all-too-familiar pragmatic approach we take in Singapore. Sad but true.
My interest in Biology came when I was very young and I guess all the David Attenborough documentaries really made me want to study nature and protect the environment. It is difficult to explain to someone what I am doing as people always ask, 'So what are you going to do next time?' , to which I have no answer and which leads to subsequent questioning of what the hell am I doing and whether all this is really worth while. All I can say is that I have a little voice in me that tells me to be counter cultural and do what you can to bring a little environmental awareness into the lives of others. Many many have little empathy to the causes for the environment. People are dying from hunger, wars are breaking out, diseases are taking over and you want to talk about saving a tree? It is true, immediate problems are all around us but conservation of natural habitats have many many long term benefits which can be quantified in terms of cash. Ecosystem services like nutrient recycling, watershed properties, pollination of cash crops actually provide billions of dollars to agricultural systems and benefit local communities in the area. Moreover, preservation of these natural habitats is crucial as there is no guarantee that these forests can ever be the same as before!
Alright fine, nature is important (as if the papers don't remind us about that everyday!)...
But what about this religion and environment thinggy?
Well, firstly, let me quote my environmental law professor who said,"I believe that the earth will only be saved by human ethics." I sincerely agree because in many ways, it is hard to see the immediate economical value of a forest compared to a factory. We conserve because we want to pass this earth to future generations and what a sad heritage it will be if trees were reduced to a quarter of their magnificent size or if charismatic mammals are forever lost from the face of the earth.
Personally, that's where religion plays an important role as there are many parallels between conservation and religion which I will elaborate on in later posts. Religion is a code of ethics where behaviour, attitudes, mindsets and character are developed and directed towards a greater common good for all. In a way, if we could only work together with religions to bring a little environmental awareness into the hearts and minds of others, what a great change that would make in the world!
Just to clarify, I am not hoping to make faith revolve around conservation. As a Catholic, I sincerely do wish that the focus of my faith is to grow closer to God and spread the love of Jesus to the people around me. However, I do hope that people of faith can see a light in the direction of being stewards and custodians of this magnificent creation that we have been created amongst and to not see ourselves as dominians and wanton destructors of the environment for personal gain. In the end, all things are related and the consequences of our destructive actions on the environment will come back to impact us, much like the consequences of our sin which affects the community we live in and in turn harms us by separating us from God and man.
Image from http://conservation.catholic.org/background.htm
**side note**
wow.. I am not normally an activist.. I guess I have to get used to this side of me! ;p
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