Stewardship, Ocean Plastic, and Laudato Si’ Notes

Stewardship

Taking care of the environment as a gift from God, viewing ourselves as caretakers of nature.

The Common Good

Decisions about the environment should ensure the well-being of all people and the health of the planet, looking beyond just personal or business interests.

Everyday Stewardship

Making choices like using less, wasting less, protecting animals, and supporting environmentally-friendly practices.

Stewardship

Taking care of the environment as a gift from God, viewing ourselves as caretakers of nature.

What are the core human responsibilities toward other people?

human responsibilities toward other people are respect, dignity, and compassion.

What are the core human responsibilities toward animals and other living things?

• Reduce Pain: Minimize distress and cruelty for sentient beings.

• Provide Care: Ensure humane treatment for all domestic animals.

• Protect Species: Respect the survival rights of different creatures

What are the core human responsibilities toward the natural environment?

• Use Sustainably: Protect finite natural resources from wasteful exploitation.

• Lower Pollution: Reduce toxic waste and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Save Tomorrow: Preserve healthy ecosystems for future generations.

Give two examples of stewardship in everyday life

Recycle: Sorting household waste into correct recycling bins.

Save Energy: Turning off running taps and unnecessary lights.

Why is stewardship more than just not littering?

Active Management: Stewardship requires actively preserving resources for tomorrow.

Passive Avoiding: Not littering is simply avoiding a mess today.

What does "everything is connected" mean in the environment?

Chain Reactions: One ecological change alters the entire system.

Example: Deforestation destroys birds, boosting pests that ruin crops.

Why is environmental care an issue of justice?

The core issue of environmental justice is that poor people and people of color face more pollution and health risks than rich people

What environmental responsibilities do Christians have?

Christians have the environmental responsibility of creation care, acting as stewards who protect, sustain, and tend to the Earth on behalf of God.

How do misleading photographs affect public understanding?

Misleading photographs effect public understanding by creating false beliefs, triggering strong emotional reactions, and reinforcing inaccurate stereotypes or narratives.

What is the difference between a real environmental problem and its representation

The Reality: The actual scientific data and physical damage.

The Representation: The biased media narrative or selective headlines.

What percentage of ocean plastic comes from the fishing industry?

86%

What does personal stewardship mean?

Personal stewardship means taking careful and responsible charge of your own life, time, health, and resources as a trusted manager rather than an ultimate owner.

What does systemic responsibility

Systemic responsibility means an entire group, organization, or system shares the duty for a problem or outcome, rather than just one single person

Why might removing ocean plastic cause another environmental problem?

Harming Wildlife: Skimming nets accidentally catch surface-dwelling marine life.

Food Chain Ruin: Clearing plastic kills plankton, starving larger creatures.

Explain the phrase "systemic forces"

Systemic forces are large, hidden rules, pressures, or structures within a society or organization that shape events and push people in certain directions, rather than just individual choices.