Some scientists believe that we are living in an era that is at the brink of extinction. Their hypothesis is validated by the loss of biodiversity that is caused by pollution, deforestation, climate change, and natural disasters. This unequilibrium in our biodiversity results in the loss of numerous species, which results in zoonotic diseases, such as COVID-19. In simple words, our planet is dying and what affects our planet, affects us. Our life is sustained by our planet. If our planet dies, we die with it. Our life depends on the numerous species with which we share our planet. When they go extinct, we go extinct too. The loss of biodiversity will, in the future, result in drastic climate change, zoonotic diseases, and unsustainability of life sustaining resources, such as water, oil, food, etc.

Saint Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict, and Pope Francis, in their pontificate, has emphasised greatly on ecological theology. Prior to that the Church did not mention much about ecological theology and that’s because we never had to deal with climate change ever before, in the evolution and history of mankind. We are living in a perilous time; however, the gospel brings us the ‘good news’, and irrespective of the crisis we face. We are now living in a time of great grace. We are living in a time, when God is with us, we are not alone.

Therefore, everything is not doom and gloom, because of all that the Lord has done for us. Yes, our planet will eventually wither away. Despite our best efforts, we cannot reverse the anthropogenic impact on our planet. However, we can slow down the process of extinction of our valuable species and our planets. Some of the measures we can take to protect our planet are as follows: we can recycle, plant trees, stop overconsumption, stop pollution, reduce waste, protect wildlife and their habitat, stop fossil fuel consumption, use renewable energy, etc.

It, thereby, becomes our responsibility to take care of our planet, because the future generations will suffer greatly by drastic climate change, zoonotic diseases such as Covid-19, and depletion of natural resources. Now, it is the poor who are dying due to lack of food and clean drinking water. However, it won’t be long when the entire human race will face this crisis.

Ecological theology, thereby, takes a prime focus in our salvation now as it is a mortal sin if we do not take care of our planet or exploit our planet in any way. It, therefore, becomes our responsibility to take care of our planet. This also draws us to the urgency of our salvation, as we read the signs of times, such as melting glaciers, bleaching corals, deforestation, extinct species, climate change, rise in zoonotic diseases, and loss of biodiversity. Our planet will disappear one day and along with it all forms of life. As we look ahead of what we are about to face, we need to focus all our attention on God who alone can save us from all that is about to enfold, and who alone can lead us to eternity. There is an urgency in saving our planet and we all need to shift our focus and all our attention to saving our planet and saving our soul. Everything else is useless and will be worth nothing. Therefore, save the planet and save your soul.

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