Is the pandemic related to the destruction of natural ecosystems happening around the world? More and more pieces of evidence are bubbling up that the answer is yes. The last century has witnessed the wanton decimation and over-exploitation of land and water ecosystems in every continent. For example, in our country, we have lost about 15 million hectares of rich tropical forests since the 1900s. That’s half of our total land area.
As global forest cover shrinks through human activities, thousands of plants and animal species are displaced and threatened with extinction. The increasing proximity of wildlife and human settlements has led to higher chances of animal-borne microorganisms infecting humans. Indeed, scientists have been noticing a rising frequency of epidemics occurring in various parts of the world. Covid-19 is simply the worst fear of health experts and conservationists coming to life, bringing our way of life to a halt.
Christians are called upon to be wise stewards of the planet’s natural resources. After creating our first parents, “The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Humans are responsible for “working and keeping” the planet. Nature is God’s creation providing the platform for human creativity and culture.
More significantly, Christians should seek to glorify God through the way they manage and conserve natural ecosystems. Indeed, all of nature, especially at its best, point us back to the Creator. Thus, the Psalmist declares, “O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Psalm 104:24).
Alas, the intrusion of sin affected how people relate to nature. Instead of being its protector and sustainer, humans saw nature as merely a means to satisfy his desires. Human greed, selfishness, and ignorance have conspired to decimate most of the world’s ecosystems. Experience should have taught us by now that we upset the natural balance to our peril. True, it’s now always easy to define where the balance lies. That is why scientific exploration is necessary.
At the very least, we should tread carefully. We cannot sacrifice the rest of creation in the ruthless pursuit of material wealth and comforts. Nature has a way of striking back. We ignore this at our peril.