“The present development paradigm promoted by the developed countries is responsible for the global ecological crisis. The developed countries have to change their development paradigm using fossil fuels which is primarily responsible for the climate change,” according to Bishop Thomas K.Oommen, Moderator of the Church of South India, and Mathew Koshy Punnackadu, director of the CSI
Department of Ecological Concerns.
Talking to The Hindu here on Wednesday, they have expressed serious concern over the alarming climate change facing the modern world.
According to them, the industrialised nations, representing less than 20% of the world’s population, accounted for nearly 90% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions over the last century, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels.
According to him, CSI recommends four `R’s - Reduce the waste, Recycle the waste, Reuse the waste, and Refuse the waste coming from the developed countries. Regarding materials and resources, the Church has requested all its members to buy products which are made using material in a sustainable way and to use locally-made goods wherever possible, he said.
Dr. Punnackadu said huge church buildings were becoming a liability in the western countries and the Department of Ecological Concerns has requested the CSI Synod to formulate a policy for church
constructions.
Bishop Thomas K.Oommen said the CSI Synod was supporting the Gadgil Committee report in protecting the Western Ghats and has taken a strong stand against GM crops.
“The wrong agricultural practices are responsible for diseases, malnutrition, poverty. The Church has to promote organic cultivation and take a strong stand against GM crops. We have to build an economy that will support, not undermine, the future generations,” he said.
