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to live their life in freedom. We have no ownership of Nature. Our responsibility is to have a respectful relationship with Nature. That is the basis upon which we honour the rights of nature as we honour the rights of humans.
Image by David Mark from Pixabay
This is why the ecologically inspired Jains are campaigning for the reduction of meat production around the world. The practice of factory farming, the keeping of huge numbers of animals in cruel confinement contributes to the climate crisis. Large scale monoculture to provide grain to feed animals and meat production causes 30% of carbon emissions and creates climate catastrophe. We Jains are actively involved in the promotion of a plant-based diet for reasons of compassion and non-violence to address the crisis of climate change.
In Jain science, there is no separation between Nature and humans. We believe in the absolute integrity of life. The etymological meaning of the word Nature simply means birth. Everything born is Nature. Humans are born, so humans are Nature too. The dignity of diversity is rooted in the unity of life. Unity and diversity are two aspects of one single reality.
The world is facing the climate crisis because faith has been disconnected from science. Science and technology have been used by commercial interests in pursuit of unlimited economic growth and industrial development largely dependent on fossil fuels. So, in the long-term interest of climate stability and the sustainability of the living earth science needs to be wedded to spiritual values. As Albert Einstein said, science without religion is blind and religion without science is lame. science and religion always need to act together. Scientists need to commit themselves to a future where their scientific research will not be used for harmful purposes. As doctors take the Hippocratic oath: “First Do No Harm,” scientists need to take the same oath to do no harm, to refuse to engage in research and development which may harm people or harm our perfect planet Earth. Similarly, economists, Industrialists and politicians need to take the Hippocratic oath to avoid harm to biodiversity and to the integrity of our biotic community and our eco-system. We need to learn from this climate crisis and resolve that in future we will not engage in activity which may produce other disastrous consequences, similar to the climate catastrophe. Faiths need to embrace science. Particularly climate science. Without science faiths, religions and spirituality can become dogmatic and fundamentalist. There is much that scientists can teach faith leaders and vice versa. We need to come together in humility and mutual respect.
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