YEAR 11 REVISION KEYCARD (Religion and Planet Earth)

Transcription

1 Essential revision: How was the earth created? In book of Genesis, says that God created the world in 6 days on 7 th, he rested Each day, God created something new: Day 1 light Day 2 Sky Day 3 land, sea and plants Day 4 Sun, moon and stars Day 5 Sea creatures and birds Day 6 land animals and humans Day 7 God rested It could have been an accident Came about through chance Creation stories are just myths If god created the world, who created god> Evolution/big bang theory Examples of pollution Oil pollution / litter / waste / gases / factory pollution / vehicle pollution / acid rain / toxic chemicals / pesticides / air pollution / land pollution / water pollution / noise pollution / light pollution/ visual pollution What are religious attitudes to pollution? Bad thing because it ruins the environment Kills wildlife and harms humans Concern for future generations Stewardship (need to look after planet) Ruins God s creation Give reasons why religious believers are against the destruction of natural habitats e.g. deforestation Loss of natural habitat Extinction of species of plants and animals Climate change Less oxygen and more carbon dioxide in atmosphere More storms and floods, drought in other areas Increase in global warming if trees cut down Stops soil erosion We are stewards for God/looking after God s world etc. Need to consider future generations Give 2 examples of how global warming is damaging the world Increased flooding/climatic change/droughts in some areas/more violent storms and weather extremes e.g. Tornadoes/plants and animals having difficulty in surviving changes/increased heat/melting polar ice caps/rising sea levels.

2 How do modern lifestyles harm the planet? Emissions from vehicles/ factories causing global warming / waste created / using up of nonrenewable resources /deforestation / pollution / fertiliser / pesticides / visual/noise pollution / acid rain etc. What would the attitude be of religious people towards global warming? World is a gift to humans Humans were put in charge (stewardship), so are responsible for the environment There is freedom of choice and often the wrong choices have been made Assisi Declarations / Ohito Declaration (discussions between world religious leaders to discuss environmental problems. Christian said that just because humans were put in charge, this doesn t give them permission to spoil what god has made. Christians are against any exploitation of nature e.g. pollution, killing elephants for ivory/sharks for fins etc. Global warming is a sign of sinfulness and greed. In Noah s Ark story, humans were punished for their evil/greed, as God sends huge flood Some people e.g. in African countries like Ethiopia (drought) still believe that God will punish us if we are behaving badly What can religious believers do to help global warming? Personally be careful about their carbon footprint Recycle Reuse Use renewable energy Turn off lights Walk, cycle or use public transport where possible Plant trees Reduce need for landfill sites that produce methane Ask God s help through prayer Campaign to persuade others to take action / petitions / letters to media / M.P. s Joining a campaigning organisation, e.g. Friends of the Earth What would the attitude be of religious people towards recycling? Items get re-used, not put in landfill sites Prevents using vital resources It is good stewardship as it is looking after God s creation It shows concern for future generations However. Other things might be more important e.g. not using up all our oil supplies Trying to prevent global warming Sometimes it is not worth recycling as things are in plentiful supply

3 Explain how religious people think the environment should be treated. Use religious teachings and beliefs in your answer God created the world and humans were put in charge i.e. this means stewardship and that they are responsible for the environment God told Adam control it i.e. the environment God flooded the earth when humans mistreated the earth (Noah's Ark Story), so maybe this is another reason for looking after the world In the Bible it says that the world and all that is belongs to God The 1986 Assisi Declaration of the great religions said that one cannot speak of use and abuse or do as you please. God made all things as a gift for his children i.e. look after it for our future generations Are people too selfish to protect the environment? Agree People are greedy Live for today forget tomorrow attitude Want to make money protecting the environment can be expensive Laziness use car rather than walk or cycle Think of me and not others attitude What does it matter what one person does attitude Jobs and convenience come before the environment Dominion means that we have control as humans and have the power to do as we want Environment not as important as people. Other views A lot being done by those who are not selfish Governments making laws and leading the way Earth summits Recycling increasing Targets set to reduce carbon emissions Religions encourage protection e.g. Assisi Declarations Realisation that the future of the human race is at stake Environmental organisations e.g. Greenpeace help to protect the earth Some people are too poor Explain religious views about the nature and wonder of Planet Earth. Refer to religious beliefs and teachings in your answer. God created a world filled with mystery, awe and wonder Responsibility to look after it (God created it as expression of love) The creation stories Look under a microscope to see the wonder of even common things like grass / every snowflake different

4 Have religious believers done enough to support earth summits? God created the world (environment) and put humans in charge of looking after the environment, e.g. Genesis so believers should totally support earth summits and protect the world We are responsible to God for our actions Global warming and climate change great threat to existence of life on earth We only have one planet which cannot be replaced so earth summits are vital Religious believers have been concerned about many other issues but could have contributed more to earth summits Think globally, act locally It is an issue for everyone not just religious believers Religious believers have given much support and were involved in the initial setting up of the earth summits in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, Kyoto in 1997 and Johannesburg in 2002 There is little an individual can do. What is sustainable development? This is development which takes into consideration the impact on the natural world for future generations. What are religious views about sustainable development? Planet created by God We are stewards or caretakers We need to consider future generations e.g. love your neighbour (implies future as well as present) Current lifestyles placing increasing burdens on the planet Development needs to consider impact on resources, e.g. religions encourage use of renewable energy We should be in harmony with nature Need to reduce carbon emissions We should support environmental groups Idea of dominion (in charge/power) may conflict sustainable development

5 Can we do whatever we want with the earth and its resources? Agree: We are at the top of creation God gave us the authority to do what we want Humans given dominion (control) No-one else to tell us what to do We have the power to do what we want If we don t use resources, someone else will Scientists will develop other materials to use Freewill (God created humans who have a choice to do good/bad things) Other views: It s God s world We are only here temporarily What we do will affect ourselves and others Should not be greedy and selfish God put humans in charge to look after it, not exploit it Once resources are used up, they will never be replaced Need to think about future generations Future problems will arise e.g. pollution, climate change, famines etc. Need to recycle and reuse