Another Messenger Came…..Will We Listen?

Another Messenger Came…..Will We Listen?

...David Suzuki came, a voice crying in the wilderness; we laughed and barely listened as the smog increased.

...The First Nations came, beating drums for Mother Earth; we polluted the water and raped the land.

...The scientists came, with unquestionable evidence – the sea is rising, the earth is warming, the ozone is disappearing; we silenced them and destroyed their research.

...The poor came, unable to till the barren soil now becoming deserts; we turned away and continued our destructive ways.

...The hurricanes, fires, tsunamis and blizzards came; we rebuilt and carried on as usual.

...Pope Francis came carrying peace and Laudato Si.  Will we listen and mend our destructive path to end it all?

Will We Listen?

Jean Moylan, CSJ

Suzuki Tells Elders to “Speak the truth from our hearts”

Sarnia, a city also known as the ‘Chemical Valley’, has once again benefitted by the presence, insight and eloquence of David Suzuki. The Imperial Theatre was entirely sold out for his book promo/speaking engagement on June 22^nd. Bursts of applause broke out several times during Suzuki’s presentation and a standing ovation happened at the end. The proceeds from ticket sales went 50/50 to the David Suzuki Foundation and to the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Sarnia/Lambton.

Two things in Suzuki’s presentation especially resonated with me:

1. If we do not recognize that climate change is real and do not make change happen around this issue then we, as a human species, as well as many other species, will soon be extinct while the Earth will continue.
2. Those of us who are the ‘elders’, who no longer have to “play the game” can now “speak the truth from our hearts”.

Suzuki presented as a very humble person. He interchanged comments with the reading of excerpts from his latest book, LETTERS TO MY GRANDCHILDREN.  It seemed to me that both the writing and reading were from the heart. Suzuki, despite the recent challenges that ‘environmentalists’ have experienced, remains committed to making change happen for his grandchildren and for all further generations who live on our planet Earth.  

Suzuki also talked about his “last campaign”, Blue Dot , (awesome stuff here). The vision is to start with communities, to get them to sign on, one by one, through municipal declarations in support of the right to a healthy environment ...  clean air, water and soil as basic rights.  So far from Victoria to Montreal to Yellowknife, some 30 municipalities have made such declarations. Why not your community too?

I do recommend the book as well as David’s comments on Pope Francis’ recent encyclical, LAUDATO SI’, on Care For Our Common Home.

Ann Steadman, CSJ Associate

A Thirst for Fossil Water

Water to quench our thirst? In Canada we hardly think about it. After all, we have 20% of the world’s fresh water. We don’t realize that most of this is non-renewable water derived from the melting of glaciers, the melting of continental ice sheets or trapped in inaccessible ground water.

When I was visiting my parents last summer, who live near Smithers, B.C., a glacier which was once an overwhelming presence near their home had shrunk to a nearly invisible trace. This water won’t be coming back again.

Some facts:

• Our renewable fresh water is 9% of the world’s supply behind Brazil, China, and former USSR.  
• 60% of Canada’s renewable fresh water flows north into the Arctic ocean & Hudson Bay
• 90% of our population lives southern regions
• We have the 2nd highest per capita consumption in the world, behind USA
• Canada has traditionally blocked the recognition of water as a human right until very recently.

These revelations were part of a Regis College “Windows on Theology,” titled Living Water on March 22^nd the U.N World Water Day with Alana Mitchell, Dr. Dennis O’Hara and  Fr. John McCarthy

Water is the lifeblood of our lives and our spirits yearn to share. What can we do? Women both indigenous and non-indigenous formed a Wall of Women on World Water Day in B.C. Around 15 women, including representatives from the Tsleil-Waututh, Squamish and Musqueam First Nations, as well as Greenpeace campaigners, gathered for the Wall of Woman in the cold and rain by The Welcome Figure at Ambleside Beach to proclaim a message to the oil magnate Kinder Morgan that a pipeline expansion was not welcome.

Yet, as humans in a faith context we thirst for justice:

• approximately 20,000 First Nations people living on reserves across Canada have no access to running water or sewage treatment
• women in developing countries carry an unjust load in struggling to get water for their families

Our Western, middle-class lifestyle places increasing demands on water sources. Our choices of food especially matters. Looking at the facts behind our water use: 

•  Agriculture – 70% 
  • ....1,000 litres per day – survival diet
  • ....2,600 litres per day – vegetarian diet
  • ....5,000 litres per day – meat-based diet
  • ....diets richer in meat & seafood → major eco-stress
• Industry – 22%
• Personal – 8%

Many people living in poverty, particularly on the developing world, daily face enormous  hardships because water supplies are neither sufficient nor safe. For water users living in poverty this is rapidly becoming an issue crucial for life and, in the broad sense of the concept, a right to life issue.”  Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

For I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Matt. 25:35)

Water is sacred trust, in these days calling us to regard and live with its gift of life, not just for ourselves, but for all humans and all beings of our planet earth. 

And we are Canadians and we do cherish water, it is part of our interior landscape and our identity. Let us make a difference and begin where we are. 

David Suzuki Foundation, “It’s More than Just Love,” 

Linda Gregg, CSJ
Peterborough Neighbourhood 

UPDATED: Please see this excellent article: 30 Photos That Will Help You Appreciate Your Tap & Toilet