The above may well be the attitude of many when issues on the environment are discussed. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle can only remain as catchy slogan that has no bearing on people’s lives.

This lack of concern expresses itself in various ways ... from apathy to lack of cooperation. The responses can sometimes be frustrating and even evoke a sense of amazement. For example, the recent efforts by retailers to charge for the use of plastic bags drew flak from many people. This only goes to show that people still have not been impacted by the global concern for environmental consciousness.

The call to environmental justice is very much part of the life of the Church. There are those who are of the opinion that the Catholic Church has just recently joined voices with other organisations to express concern over this issue. This may be true because the call to preserve the environment has only now become more pronounced within church circles. This could partly be the reason why for many people, the concern for environmental issues is often distant from their faith lives.

The care for Mother Earth is probably not seen as part of a living faith. But the book of Genesis already makes the protection of all that has been created by God a human duty that is not to be neglected (cf. Gen 1:28). The Book of Psalms is filled with expressions of thanksgiving for this wonderful gift of God to humanity (eg. Ps 148). Hence, good stewardship includes the preservation and appreciation of Mother Nature.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church clearly states, "the seventh commandment enjoins respect for the integrity of creation. Animals, like plants and inanimate beings, are by nature destined for the common good of past, present, and future humanity. Use of the mineral, vegetable, and animal resources of the universe cannot be divorced from respect for moral imperatives.

Man's dominion over inanimate and other living beings granted by the Creator is not absolute; it is limited by concern for the quality of life of his neighbour, including generations to come; it requires a religious respect for the integrity of creation" (2415). Therefore, the protection of the environment is very much part of the Catholic tradition as humanity has a role to help future generations.

The duty to care for the environment is based on the two commandments of Jesus Christ: to love God above all things and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Love of God requires respect for God's gifts and for God's will for Creation. Love of neighbour requires justice, which prohibits the selfish destruction of the environment without regard for those in need today or for the needs of future generations (cf. Fr. Lawrence Mick, Liturgy and Ecology in Dialogue, 1997).

Seen in this light then, Jesus' twofold commandment of love on which the whole Law and the prophets are built on (cf. Mt. 22:37-40), impels every person to make the preservation of the environment intrinsically part of the faith. It is not just a Christian issue or for that matter, peculiar to any religious tradition. This is an issue that compels humanity to action. It is an inalienable responsibility towards self, towards others, towards creation.

Pope John Paul II in his message for the World Day of Peace (1 January 1990) described the ecological crisis as a moral problem, which stems from the lack of respect for life. This is an indication that apathy towards environmental issues is as critical as being silent about issues such as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, etc.

Therefore, the human community has "a grave responsibility to preserve [the earth's] order for the well-being of future generations" (Pope John Paul II). It is the duty of every human person of good will to take small steps towards preserving this gift of God. Whether it is recycling paper, conserving energy or waste management, it is a start.

It is a beginning that will be remembered and treasured by generations to come. The time has come for us to awake from our slumber and celebrate this gift of creation. If not us, who? If not now, when? If not together, how?