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Environmental Justice
 A Position Paper of the Florida Catholic Conference

"When the ecological crisis is set within the broader context of the search for peace within society, we can understand better the importance of giving attention to what the earth and its atmosphere are telling us:  namely, that there is an order in the Universe which must be respected, and that the human person, endowed with the capability of choosing freely, has a grave responsibility to preserve this order for the well-being of future generations . . . ." John Paul II 1990 World Day of Peace Message.

   Serious environmental challenges abound throughout our nation.  Pollution of both air and water, the loss of productive wetlands, increased toxic and nuclear waste, depletion of the ozone layer, global warming and deforestation, are but examples. These and other environmental problems pose a threat to our children, families and future generations thus becoming a moral issue as well.

   Florida's natural environment is threatened more today than ever before.  With an expanding population and an influx of  tourists annually, Florida ecosystem and environmental values are being compromised.  Intimately related to these problems are the needs of people for housing, food, heat, and health care.

   Florida today has:

  • An ever increasing demand for potable water

  • Pollutants from urban and agricultural and silviculture runoff, along with leaching from land disposal and septic tanks into lakes, rivers, and streams, a major cause of water pollution and the source of potential health related problems

  • A growing number of known or suspected hazardous waste sites in Florida now at close to 2,500

  • An ever expanding list of endangered or threatened species of plants and animals

  • Continued reliance on fossil fuels and nuclear power for almost all of the energy that powers our homes, offices, cars and other needs

  • Inadequate long range growth management planning creating urban sprawl

  • Cumulative impacts to the environment causing large-scale damage and loss of important ecological functions in major ecosystems like the Indian River Lagoon, the Everglades and the St. John's River

  • Toxic chemical releases from industrial sources into our surface and/or subsurface waters and air needed for survival

   The United States Catholic Bishops in their November 14, 1991 Statement "Renewing the Earth" stated, "We urge policy makers and public officials to focus more directly on the ethical dimensions of environmental policy and on its relativity to development, to seek the common good, and to resist short-term pressure in order to meet long-term responsibility to future generations . . ."  With this in mind, the Florida Catholic Conference supports the following principles:

  • An abiding respect for human life which extends to all creation

  • A God-centered view of the universe that upholds human accountability for actions affecting the fate of the earth

  • Solidarity in working with the community at large to promote environmental justice and responsibility, while working at the same time to promote the human needs of residents and visitors

  • Judicious use of the earth's resources, with emphasis on preservation, efficiency, renewability, recycling, and reclaiming

  • An option for the poor to ensure an equitable and sustainable life, recognizing that the poor suffer more acutely from environmental and ecological decline

  • A commitment to achieving true sustainability for our future and that of generations to come

   "As citizens, each of us needs to participate in this debate over how our nation best protects our ecological heritage, limits pollution, allocates environmental costs, and plans for the future." (Renewing the Earth, 1991)
     
   At times the policies made by government fail to protect the common good which hinders the environment or its inhabitants. Advocacy and education on environmental and human justice issues are paramount in defense of all creation, as well as to help create sound social and economic environmental policies.  Funding, enforcement and incentives are also needed to assure  policies work for the common good.

   "As companions in creation, we must act in unity with our Creator and with each other to prevent further damage to our environment and further loss to our resources.  For all people, preservation of the environment is a fundamental and critical issue of our time." (Florida Bishops' 1991 Statement on the Environment:  Companions in Creation)
 

February 2003