This paper presents a Toulmin-structured argument for Christian environmental responsibility. It opens by identifying the claim that biblical mandate requires Christians to care for the environment, despite common objections within Christian communities. The grounds section surveys pressing environmental problems — particularly global warming and air pollution — and their consequences for human, animal, and plant life. The warrant and backing sections draw on scripture and scholarship to argue that Genesis grants humans dominion over the earth while simultaneously obligating them to steward it wisely. The paper also addresses qualifications, noting that Christian environmentalism neither worships nature nor elevates it above human needs. It concludes by rebutting the view that earthly concerns are irrelevant to Christian life.
Although Christians are tasked with stewardship of God's creation, many believe that it is not their responsibility to care for the environment or show concern over environmental problems. Many reasons exist for this belief. Some Christians believe that Christ's return will transform the world anyway, so caring for the environment is simply a waste of time. Others may be concerned with the attitudes of many environmentalists — attitudes that place creation above the Creator. Still others may simply assume that anything "of this earth" should not be prominent in the lives of Christians. These people often assume that Christians should occupy themselves with the things of heaven, paying little attention to the world's concerns. Perhaps this group believes that if non-Christians see Christians paying attention to earthly matters, those non-Christians will assume that Christians have nothing to look forward to. This same argument is often used to justify Christians staying out of political processes and other topics of community concern.
Even though these arguments are prevalent among Christians, biblical mandate and responsibility command Christians to care for the environment.
Now, more than ever, environmental problems are plaguing the earth. Most of these problems could have serious consequences if they are not addressed soon. One of the most widely publicized is global warming. Global warming, also called the greenhouse effect, occurs when gases are trapped near the surface of the earth, much as heat is trapped in a greenhouse. The fact that global warming is occurring at an accelerating rate concerns many scientists. These scientists have developed a variety of models that study the effects of global warming over time. Because global warming increases temperatures, it poses a danger to polar ice caps. The ultimate effect on those ice caps is melting, which would raise sea levels and eventually submerge some islands and low-lying countries, forcing their inhabitants to relocate and causing congestion in an already overpopulated world.
Other issues that our environment faces today include air pollution, radiation, acid rain, and toxic chemicals seeping into water and soil. Although global warming may be the primary focus of environmentalists today, these problems are similarly severe. Air pollution, for instance, is a serious environmental problem with consequences for humans and animals alike. One of the most notorious consequences of air pollution is acidity, most commonly known as acid rain. Air pollution causes chemicals to build up in precipitation, making water polluted and harmful to fish and aquatic plants. Humans who consume affected fish and plants are similarly harmed. Furthermore, buildings can become corroded due to the high acidity of polluted water. Air pollution also leads to the depletion of the ozone layer, a protective screen against harmful UV rays. Without the ozone layer, humans are more susceptible to skin cancers, and certain crops can be damaged.
Thus, the range of environmental problems currently affecting the earth is vast. Of these, global warming and air pollution are two of the most serious, carrying significant long-term and short-term consequences for animal, plant, and human life.
Because these environmental problems can be both caused and solved by humans, Christians have a responsibility to act in accordance with scripture and take care of God's creation, as well as to make the world a better place for their fellow humans to live.
Many organizations have suggested that human actions can significantly reduce environmental problems. According to the World Wide Fund for Nature, even small lifestyle changes can have a meaningful impact on the environment. Recommended changes include saving water, recycling, and turning off electrical equipment when it is not in use. Because humans contribute to environmental problems by neglecting these precautions — and because adopting them can help reverse the damage — Christians bear a responsibility to act.
"Stewardship does not mean worshipping or subordinating humans to nature"
"Genesis mandate and witness rebut Christian indifference"
Always verify citation format against your institution’s current style guide requirements.