As climate change continues to become the focus of growing global debate, society has begun to search for alternative methods in sustaining the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, food, forest and species.
Anthropocene is a geological term that has emerged over the past decade due to recent events in the environment deemed to be unusual. The goal of the awareness of Anthropocene is to bring religion and science together to work toward a common goal. Scientists and scholars alike believe humans have created a new geologic age and are right at the peak of it.
Dr. Michael Hogue, a professor at Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, argues that planetary affects have become visible to the average person.
“Climate disruption has made this a more public debate but we can slow it down and mitigate its worst affect,” said Hogue. “Religion can’t solve this problem but it can shape values and ideas. Religion teaches compassion,” said Hogue.
Acquiring his Ph.D in theological ethics, Hogue has spent his time as a scholar studying and promoting the awareness of these recent events, in hopes that people will begin to pay attention to the future of the planet.
In the past two years alone, the U.S. ranks second in the world in energy consumption behind China. What doesn’t surprise most people is those countries exerting the most energy seem to be least affected by the results. Nations closer to the equator, as well as lower income countries show the direct effect human life has begun to take on the planet.
In India, just this year alone, an extreme heat wave reaching up to 118 degrees Fahrenheit has claimed at least 2,330 lives. Though individuals have talked about the growing global change, what exactly has brought about the recent discussion of the issue?
Hogue stresses, humans have a responsibility to the planet and hopes this idea of Anthropocene will help rethink moral and religious concerns. One of these concerns includes the true purpose of the human species here on Earth.
“The planet was created by God to sustain human life. In the past two to three years we are really starting to see the effect of the human footprint on it,” said local resident Joe Bailey, an associate minister at Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church.
He believes industrial companies must find an alternative source to continue their business without causing further damage to the planet.
“Until industrialized nations come to a realization that if we don’t quit what we’re doing we will tear (Earth) up. We should be good stewards over what God has given us dominion over,” said Bailey.
The Christian and Jewish image of man is that God has placed man on Earth in his own image. Society is living in a time where the Earth is transitioning into a “human image” due to the industrial boom over the years.
Another question many people ask – is it too late to do anything about this issue? Many scholars say society has crossed the threshold of planet disruption, but it isn’t too late. Society must learn to cope with nature and continue to find alternative energy sources so humans can continue to live on this changing planet.
Pope Francis will be addressing the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. along with the United Nations in New York on these issues Sept. 24. This will be the first time a religious head of state will do so in hopes to bring multiple communities together.
