Introduction
Advancement in technology in the modern world has continued to increase carbon emissions through the burning of greenhouse gases. The effects have been experienced significantly by increased temperature in the atmosphere as a result of the greenhouse effect. Burning of fossil fuels, including natural gas, oil, coal, and petroleum products, causes the release of carbon dioxide. Since most carbon emissions result from human activities, actions to reduce their release can be effectively taken. Christianity teaches its followers to take care of the environment since it represents God’s creation. The essay aims to discuss carbon emissions in the modern world through the lens of Catholicism.
Carbon Emissions
The world is highly dependent on fossil fuels as a major source of energy in almost all sectors. Carbon emissions cause damage to the ozone layer that shields the earth’s atmosphere from excessive heat from the sun. Recent human activities causing the emission of greenhouse gases have continued to cause devastating impacts, such as the melting of snow and glaciers. However, increased industrial activities continue to depend mainly on fossil fuels as a source of energy. The main human activities that cause carbon emissions include deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, as well as agricultural activities and the use of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) for refrigeration (Perera & Nadeau, 2022). The government and other stakeholders should take the initiative to develop laws and regulations aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
Human Aggravation
Humans have significantly contributed to increased global warming effects due to the extensive use of fossil fuel energy. For instance, the detrimental impacts of the use of fossil fuel energy were acknowledged and recognized many years ago. Still, little has been done to develop effective and efficient mitigation plans. Individuals have also contributed significantly to the increased use of fossil fuels. Investors and owners of the industry have ensured significant wealth and political power to defend their interests (Lelieveld et al., 2019). Such people aim to maximize profits and would be unwilling to promote the campaign for clean energy. Moreover, recent years have seen massive growth in industries and technology. Such actions have resulted in an increased market for fossil fuel energy. Increased wealth has also made many people buy appliances using fossil fuels, especially vehicles. Consequently, the self-interest of human beings has significantly contributed to the increased use of fossil fuels.
Human practices have also significantly caused an increased threat to the global environment. Human beings have increased in population, causing an expanded market for fossil fuels. Moreover, the clearing of the worldwide forest has been rampant to settle the surplus population. Moreover, an increased population will mean that more people will own cars, and more industries will be established to meet the demands of the consumer market. Cutting down trees causes a significant impact on global warming. Decreased trees will cause carbon dioxide to accumulate in the atmosphere (Lelieveld et al., 2019). Consequently, the global warming effect is increased. Multiple human practices cause increased use of fossil fuel energy.
Role of Catholicism
Religion plays a significant role in various aspects affecting the world, including climatic and environmental problems. The Catholic Church can use its immense influence and the Global Catholic Climate Movement to ensure a call for governments and other stakeholders across the world to develop mitigation for the problem (Dall’Oglio, 2020). Biblical teaching also provides that God gave man power over all creation and was tasked with taking care of everything on earth. Therefore, the Catholic Church can create awareness of the need to ensure we do activities that protect the environment. Such actions would ensure that we follow the teachings and will of God (Orellano & Chuvieco, 2022). For instance, as a result of a significant increase in the threats posed by the use of fossil fuels as the primary source of energy across the world, developing effective and efficient plans for interventions is essential. The use of alternative sources of energy can be an appropriate and effective plan for mitigation. Although it is difficult to shift from fossil fuel energy effectively, the move could potentially develop a proper solution to the global environmental threats of its use (Perera & Nadeau, 2022). Governments and other stakeholders should develop effective and efficient paradigms to encourage producers and consumers to prefer the use of clean energy such as wind, solar, and water energies. Such sources are renewable and do not pose significant challenges to the global climate.
Conclusion
The essay discusses carbon emissions in the modern world through the lens of Catholicism. Burning of fossil fuels, including natural gas, oil, coal, and petroleum products, causes the release of carbon dioxide. Since most carbon emissions result from human activities, actions to reduce their release can be effectively taken. Christianity teaches its followers to take care of the environment since it represents God’s creation.
References
Dall’Oglio, C. (2020). Ecological Initiatives of the Global Catholic Climate Movement. Studia Ecologiae et Bioethicae, 18(1), 61–72. https://doi.org/10.21697/seb.2020.1.07
Lelieveld, J., Klingmüller, K., Pozzer, A., Burnett, R., Haines, A., & Ramanathan, V. (2019). Effects of fossil fuel and total anthropogenic emission removal on public health and climate. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences, 116(15), 7192-7197. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1819989116
Orellano, A., & Chuvieco, E. (2022). Examining the Relationships between Religious Affiliation, External and Internal Behavioural Factors, and Personal Carbon Footprint. Religions, 13(5), 416. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel13050416
Perera, F., & Nadeau, K. (2022). Climate Change, Fossil-Fuel Pollution, and Children’s Health. New England Journal Of Medicine, 386(24), 2303-2314. https://doi.org/10.1056/nejmra2117706
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