Introduction

Environment

Franciscans International advocates for the integrity of the environment to take high priority. Countries have a responsibility to uphold the environmental treaties and conventions (such as the Kyoto Protocol) they have signed.  

Without a healthy environment, the earth will not be able to sustain future societies and economies.   Uncontrolled use of natural resources such as forests, land, water and fisheries have caused distressing changes and unnecessary pressure on the global ecosystem.   Unfortunately, this profound impact on natural resources is primarily due to over-consumption and over-production by a powerful minority.  

Dwindling supplies of fresh water, pollution, ozone depletion, deforestation, global warming, degradation of agricultural land, the impact of militarization on the environment - all are the result of unsustainable overuse or abuse of resources.   Moreover, though these environmental changes are a result of overuse by rich countries, they often have a stronger and more severe effect on poorer developing countries.

photo credited to IRIN

Current consumption and production patterns are deteriorating the earth's ecosystems, depleting the earth's resources, proliferating inequality, poverty and conflict.    

Current economic trends and social exclusion continue to perpetuate economic disparities between and within nations.

Sustainable development would ensure that resources were used in a manner that addresses the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs - reinforcing the indivisibility of human dignity and the collective responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life and to future generations.

Economic development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually reinforcing components of sustainable development.   Poverty eradication, changing consumption and production patterns and protecting and managing the natural resource base for economic and social development are overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development.

Increasing the productive capacity of poor people increases both their well-being and that of their communities and societies, facilitates their participation in resource conservation and environmental protection, and facilitates a partnership of all humanity.

photo credited to IRIN

This would include improving access to sustainable livelihoods, entrepreneurial opportunities and productive resources, including land, water, credit, technical and administrative training, and appropriate technology; strengthening efforts to broaden the human capital of societies through universal access to basic social services including education, health care, nutrition, clean water and sanitation.

Increasing the productive capacity of poor people and the eradication of poverty depend on the full integration of people living in poverty into economic, social and political life, with particular emphasis on the empowerment of women.   Integration of environmental and developmental concerns will lead to the fulfilment of basic needs.    Fulfilment of basic needs is a prerequisite of improved standards of living, better protected and managed ecosystems and a safer, more prosperous future for all.

FI Publications

Sister Water Prayer Witness : Care for Creation