by Sibusisiwe Sibanda
(Bulawayo, Zimbabwe)
Global warming is more than just what human beings can comprehend. It is the degeneration of the earth and the increase in the habitation as well as its abuse. Global warming is the abuse of the earth due to man’s greed and lack of understanding or the knowledge. Let me start at the beginning.
When the earth was created man was given the ability and stewardship to care for the land. Those who believe in creation will understand, where this is coming from. Therefore, global warming comes as a result of lack of obedience to God who created heaven and earth. Actually the bible states clearly that the earth will wear out like an old blanket. Now the earth is worn out. An old blanket is hard to mend because any touch creates a big hole. The seamstress then applies a blanket patch. Therefore, this earth needs patching. The patching can only come as a result of the changes in the attitudes of man. ‘Man’ is used from a biblical perspective not gender.
Changes in attitudes entails changes in the lifestyles. It is critical at this moment as we plan to patch our worn out planet that we understand that the wearing out is a result of sin. The world is in a state of turmoil, when technology takes over the traditional methods and with that comes more challenges. For example, when we change our attitudes towards manual work, instead of genetically modified foods, but tilling the land to produce wholesome foods with no production cost or technology required to process then the earth is slowed down in its process of aging. Artificial foods in particular require a lot of chemicals whose disposal is a problem. However, this is just one example but the core is that man has moved away from the instruction of how to use the earth created by God who produced a manual that human beings should follow. Ford provides a manual for the use of the products. Any shift from the manual can even cause serious problems in the function of the product. So is the earth, the owner provided a manual which should be used to patch and sustain this planet. All the other efforts are good but may not be relevant. Hence, the attitude of man towards this product created by the founder and engineer will go a long way in alleviating our problems.
However, all the efforts can not be thrown away. All this text is suggesting is that we need to go back to the drawing board to check where the planet has been bruised and the root cause. Then and only then can a temporary solution be sought. Since it was predicted that because of sin this earth will wear out and the earth itself will not sustain. Any sustainability comes with the changes of the mental processes and the love for one who created the earth just like we love and appreciate those who invent and create the latest models of cars and other technological utilities. Man needs to acknowledge the presence of one who has the power to create and mend this earth. The manual has given man clearly defined roles and how this earth can sustain man. Besides the changes the efforts are just futile.
When there is a clear understanding and respect for this earth as God-created, the present generation will then preserve as stewards what has been given to them as a position of responsibility. The global warming which is being experienced now is a direct result of lack of responsibility especially by the city dwellers who have become automated and everything is at the touch of the button hence the obesity and other lifestyle challenges faced by this group. The realisation the earth was given for man’s admiration and health would help the preservation. The attitude of the mind changed as to the honour of the creator and sustainer of this earth provides sustainability beyond measure. The contribution does not throw away every other effort as irrelevant but should give the contributors more reason to research and find more information on the worthy cause. The impact of global warming is volatile and the thought of viewing this earth in the next 100 years is nerve wrecking. It is at this point that all of us should give our perceptions and findings in order to bring teamwork and change of attitudes. Participation yeilds ownership and therefore all contributions should be put on the table for review and analysis.