Sustainability – harnessing energies in the right direction? (27 Jan 2009)

The first livesimply network forum day of 2009 welcomed speaker John Grant, Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University. John, an inspiring advocate and keen environmentalist, spoke of opportunities afforded by science, faith and the potential of people.

A wide range of network members came together at the Mount Street Jesuit Centre last week, including NJPN members, Bishops’ Conference staff, religious, CAFOD and Progressio staff, diocesan workers, and ecumenical partners.

Taking participants through an appreciation of creation from ‘the big bang’ to the age of mankind and the fragile systems we rely upon today, John challenged us:

• what is the potential of the human person?
• are we harnessing our energies in the right direction?
• do we realise our place in the cycle of life?
• does wealth give the right to compromise our children’s world?

John suggested that being ‘fore warned is fore armed’ and that science can help us predict and prepare for the future and that people have to listen.

Imploring all to see environmental issues as moral challenges and respond to them by becoming politically active, John suggested that we would be judged on our actions and inactions.

Drawing from eye-catching facts to illustrate his point, John reminded us of the effects of climate change on our own country in recent years, such as the floods of 2007, where 55,000 properties were flooded.

Also in 2007 for the first time in the world there is an equal number of people living in cities and the countryside. The significance of this is the consequent human imprint on the earth’s environment.

Yet despite our increase in wealth, our accumulation of ‘stuff’ we are no happier. John quoted Socrates:

“Happiness flows not from physical or external conditions, such as bodily pleasures or wealth and power, but from living a life that’s right for your soul, your deepest good”.

John suggested we must live life in moderation, balancing our needs with our responsibilities, and gave us a checklist of things we could do. Try and see if you do some of the following:

• Recycle Everything You Can
• Never Leave Things on Standby/Overcharge
• Save Water: Brushing Teeth & Mellow Yellow? Shorter Showers & Fewer Baths
• Walk or Use a Bus (it's safer!)
• Turn Your Heating Down a Little in the Winter
• Buy Fair Trade Food
• Buy Food Grown Locally (if possible)
• Buy "Green Electricity"?
• Buy Efficient Stuff for Your Home (i.e. fridge)

The day was followed with a session exploring Community Challenges, and finished with Mass celebrated by Martin Poulsom SDB.