True peace, which is dependent on justice, includes justice for the planet, not just for people. The United Nations developed sixteen principles of sustainability for the earth and its peoples. Number 15 and 13, respectively state, “Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt reserve land degradation and biodiversity loss. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resource for sustainable development.”
Sustainable development goals like these move control of natural resources from those who favor commercial development and profitability at any cost to sustainable goals that assure enough for all, as well as protection of the planet.
The roll back of environmental protections by the occupant is frightening. Our planet cannot sustain unbridled development. Scientists and climatologists are increasingly alarmed about global climate change. This includes rising sea levels, the rapidly disappearing polar ice cap and the capacity the global community has to feed itself in the face of increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.
The probability of any kind of sustainable peace is dependent on how we care for the limited resources of our planet and distribute them equitably. In the second creation story in Genesis 2, humanity was told to “till the earth and keep it.” It is an image of stewardship and care as opposed to Genesis 1, the more popular creation narrative, where humanity is told to have dominion over the earth. The prevailing definition of dominion appears to be abuse and pillage, based on the job humans are doing at the moment.
Thousands of species face extinction and hundreds more are being added to the endangered species list. The most recent animal added to the endangered list is giraffes. In the biblical sense there can be no peace for the people if there is not peace for the planet.
When we proclaim that Jesus came to bring peace, we do well to remember that shalom is a sense of well-being that goes far beyond individual well-being and happiness. It is a communal and earth based well-being.
The Irreverent Reverend 