Damaging the Environment: At What Point Does it Become a Sin?

For the last couple of weeks my mind has been occupied with the issue of Environmental Justice.

Given the release of Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment titled Laudato Si, I'd like to contribute my two cents on this very timely and important issue.

Societal Sin Vs. Individual Sin
As a community organizer I am trained to see societal issues as systemic issues, and much of our labor is focused on changing unjust systems that, we believe, are oppressing individuals.

Under this frame of thought, Environmental Justice can be seen as a systemic issue, and the way to fix the issue would require a change of the systems, the way we day-to-day business.

Under this frame of thought, personal responsibility can at best be recognized as a secondary issue, or at worst be completely disregarded and ignored.

Indeed, some would claim that a call for personal responsibility, in the context of Environmental Justice, is nothing more than a distraction, as our personal contributions (both positive and negative) to the environment pale in comparison to the gargantuan contributions of juggernaut corporations.

This is the dilemma I find myself in: How much personal responsibility do I own in damaging the environment? At what point does it become a sin for me to continue damaging the environment? Does the fact that my personal contribution to the environment is so minimal, compared to our collective carbon addicted systems, mean I'm off the hook?

200 Years from Now, We Will Look Back in Horror to What We Did to the Environment
I believe that 200 years from now we will look back in horror to what we did to the environment in the same way we (hopefully) look back in horror to issues like slavery.

200 years from now, questions will be asked of us, questions like "What were you guys thinking?!" and "How could you be so blind to the consequences of your actions?" and "Why did you wait so long to decide that enough was enough?"

We will look back and question our apparent complacency to systems of unsustainable carbon consumption. We will look back and see that we did a lot of talking, and yes, maybe participated in some actions and protests to change the system, but overall we will be horrified at the irony that we still drove our SUVs or flew in a plane to our environmental justice rallies.

We will look back and marvel at our hypocrisy, for we still drove to our grocery stores, we still bought cars, and we felt good about ourselves for owning a hybrid.

We will look back and realize that more radical action was needed.

As a Christian, what is required of me as I maneuver the two horns of seeking systemic change and personal responsibility? In this context, what does God require of me?

Be the Message: Avoiding a False Dichotomy
I have reached the conclusion that this is a false dichotomy. Seeking systemic justice should not be used as a way out of personal responsibility.

Yes, big corporations and other systems contribute more to damaging the environment.

Yes, even if I and other idividual reduced our carbon footprints it would not be enough to offset the tremendous damage that powerful systems are making to the environment.

But all of this doesn't take away the fact that these systems depend on our active participation to survive and thrive.

I think the solution has to be twofold: we have to embody the message we are proclaiming. We have to live lives that perpetually protest and speak truth to power. We must make changes that may look too radical, and perhaps too inconvenient. And we must do all of these things at the same time that we demand systemic changes.

Would you have trusted, 200 years ago, a self-proclaimed abolitionist who owned slaves?

How is this world to believe us, and how can we dare speak truth to power, unless our lives reflect the change that we demand?

If we work purposefully to not only reduce our own consumption, but to make radical changes in how we contribute negatively to the environment, then our lives will be a much powerful prophetic witness against the powers that be.

Our demands for change will have not only the power of our voices, but will carry the feared power of our character and integrity.

We should make these changes not because our personal choices alone will solve the issue, but because the changes themselves will serve as a prophetic witness to the world around us.

We have to be the message before we proclaim it.

Note: I was planning this post before the horrific events in Charleston, SC. I am grieving this terrorist act along with the nation, but don't have the words to speak to it at this moment. If you'd like to revisit my personal thoughts on racism in this country click here.