05 environment

THE ENVIRONMENT

Lesson 5

The theory of evolution says that our environment is the result of a series of coincidences, without any sense or purpose.

The Bible says that God created everything around us as the ideal environment, so that we could have full life.

How did our environment

arise?

God created the ideal

environment for man.

Light

LightWater

LightWater

Vegetation

LightWater

VegetationSun, moon and

stars

LightWater


starsBirds and fishes

LightWater



Land animals

LightWater



Land animalsSabbath

SABBATH AND ENVIRONMENT

God ended His creative work by giving us the gift of Sabbath. During its sacred hours, we can rest and enjoy our relationship with Him, our Creator.

“In the minds of the children the very thought of the Sabbath should be bound up with the beauty of natural things... Happy the father and mother who can teach their children God's written word with illustrations from the open pages of the book of nature; who can gather under the green trees, in the fresh, pure air, to study the Word and to sing the praise of the Father above.

In pleasant weather let parents walk with their children in the fields and groves. Amid the beautiful things of nature tell them the reason for the institution of the Sabbath. Describe to them God's great work of creation. Tell them that when the earth came from His hand, it was holy and beautiful. Every flower, every shrub, every tree, answered the purpose of its Creator... Show that it was sin which marred God's perfect work; that thorns and thistles, sorrow and pain and death, are all the result of disobedience to God. Bid them see how the earth, though marred with the curse of sin, still reveals God's goodness”

E.G.W. (The faith I live by, September 25)

Man started to dominate the creation in a despotic way.

THE DECLINE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Sin affected the environment, and it started to deteriorate. Thorns and thistles grew.

Death appeared among animals and vegetation, not only among men.


The changes the sin introduced have become worse through our history.

Nowadays we can see the terrible effects of the deterioration of the environment.

Atmospheric pollution. Destruction of the ozone

layer. Exhaustion of fresh water

and acidification of water. Water and land pollution. New and fearful illnesses. Climatic changes. Deforestation and

desertification. General deterioration due to

toxic industrial and nuclear waste.

Disappearance of animal and vegetal species.

Thaw of glaciers. …


Man has not only damaged the environment, but also has corrupted the Creation day, when we are supposed to praise our Creator. Man has replaced it with another day to praise the created things (the sun’s day)

SABBATH AND ENVIRONMENT (2)

“They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” (Romans, 1: 25)

Use low energy light bulbs; they save about a 75% of energy. If you want to save energy, changing your traditional light bulbs it’s a good idea.

Don’t forget to turn off the light when you go out a room or there’s enough day light.

If you have central heating, adjust the temperature to 20 ºC (68 F) and wrap up warm when you’re inside. Every additional degree results in an increase of 7% of energy consumption.

Wrapping up warm is a valid tip for any kind of heating. If you use wood, make sure it doesn’t come from any species in danger of extinction: it would be great if you collect fallen branches to use them.

Run full loads in your washing machine; you will save water and electricity.

CARING FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Here you have some advice to improve our environment.

Using electricity

Don’t waste electricity, boil only the necessary water.

Use pressure cookers.

Put the lid on your pots; water will boil faster and it will reducethe gas consumption in a 20%.

Clean the burners in your kitchen on a regular basis; if they are blocked they will consume a 10% more than they should.

Check your water heater once a year.

Defrost your refrigerator; frost creates an isolation that can lead to an increase of the 20% on your electric consumption.

Buy food of the current season and produced in your town, if possible. They are cheaper in transport and refrigeration.

Prefer organic food. Intensive production farms loss four times more land that organic farms do.

Generate less garbage; recycle, reuse, repair. Paper is one of the main sources of methane. Share your subscription to newspapers and magazines with your friends, use the newspapers to clean glasses and mirrors after reading them, and take them to recycling centres.



In the kitchen

Don’t use the toilet as a trash can, don’t release water if it’s not necessary; a wrongly adjusted toilet can waste up to 200,000 litres (53,000 gallons) of water a year.

A fast shower uses less hot water than a full bath (and it saves energy, too).

Don’t leave your faucet opened if it’s not necessary.



In the bathroom

At the office

Shut down your computer if you’re not using it; a standby device can represent a 70% of your daily consumption.

Recycle your printing paper as many times as necessary. Use double-sided paper.

Don’t throw your mobile phones and batteries in the trash can. Take them to technical companies specializing in recycling them.

Walk whenever you can, ride your bicycle or use public transport, instead of using your own car. You will contribute to lower the use of oil.

“The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great—and for destroying those who destroy the earth” (Revelation, 11: 18)

“Behold, I will create new heavens and a

new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor

will they come to mind.”

Isaiah, 65: 17

ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life?

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05 environment