Biodiversity in the Perspective of the Catholic Church
Biodiversity, from the Catholic Church's perspective, refers to the vast and overwhelming diversity of life in all its forms (QA 7, 40), including the variety of genes, species, and ecosystems. It is not seen merely as a collection of exploitable resources (LS 33), but rather as an intrinsic richness of God's creation, with each creature having value in itself (LS 33) and bearing a divine message. This immense biological variety is essential for the balance of life on the planet (LS 42) and is intrinsically linked to human well-being and the health of the Earth.
Implications:
Creation is a Gift from God:
Biodiversity possesses inherent value as part of God’s creation. Every species and every ecosystem reflects the wisdom and beauty of the Creator (LS 33). Caring for it is not only a practical concern, but also an ethical and spiritual imperative.
Biodiversity possesses inherent value as part of God’s creation. Every species and every ecosystem reflects the wisdom and beauty of the Creator (LS 33). Caring for it is not only a practical concern, but also an ethical and spiritual imperative.
Interconnection and Mutual Dependence:
All creatures are interconnected and depend on one another (LS 42). The loss of biodiversity weakens this web of life, with unpredictable consequences for ecosystems and humanity.
All creatures are interconnected and depend on one another (LS 42). The loss of biodiversity weakens this web of life, with unpredictable consequences for ecosystems and humanity.
Importance for Human Well-being:
Biodiversity provides essential resources for human life (food, medicine, climate regulation, etc.) (LS 32). Its loss may deprive both present and future generations of these benefits. Moreover, the beauty of nature (QA 7) contributes to the spiritual and psychological well-being of people.
Biodiversity provides essential resources for human life (food, medicine, climate regulation, etc.) (LS 32). Its loss may deprive both present and future generations of these benefits. Moreover, the beauty of nature (QA 7) contributes to the spiritual and psychological well-being of people.
Responsibility to Care:
Human beings have the responsibility to be stewards of creation (LS 220), which includes protecting and preserving biodiversity. From the perspective of Amazonian communities, to abuse nature is to abuse the ancestors, brothers and sisters, and the Creator Himself (QA 42).
Human beings have the responsibility to be stewards of creation (LS 220), which includes protecting and preserving biodiversity. From the perspective of Amazonian communities, to abuse nature is to abuse the ancestors, brothers and sisters, and the Creator Himself (QA 42).
Ecological and Social Justice:
The loss of biodiversity often disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities, who depend directly on natural resources for their livelihood. Therefore, protecting biodiversity is intrinsically connected to social justice.
The loss of biodiversity often disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities, who depend directly on natural resources for their livelihood. Therefore, protecting biodiversity is intrinsically connected to social justice.
Ultimately, biodiversity—as God’s creation—reveals to us that we are part of an interconnected web of life, essential to the well-being of the planet, including humanity, and that we have an urgent responsibility to care for and protect it.