Greening the Globe for Sustainable LivingCSI Synod Dept of Ecological Concerns

JEREMIAH 31: 31 – 34 speaks about the New Covenant that, God would make with His people. He says, “ I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each one teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

Today, we who are gathered here on this first day of the ‘Season of Creation’, listen to a ‘Green Covenant’ from God, where He writes 10 Green Commandments with our heart.

1. I AM the Lord your God, the Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer of all the creations. Know that you are not to dominate, but to tend and take care of the air, water, earth, plants and animals. You are called to be the priests of my creation.
2. KNOW that you are not to be‘pantheistic’, worshipping any other images or idols, but to be‘pan-en-theistic’, seeing me in every creation. Respect the integrity of all creations.
3. STEAL NOT from the posterity. Remember that you have not inherited the earth from your ancestors, rather borrowed from your Children.
4. Teach your generations to worship the Creator and ‘work-ship’ with His creation. They shall toil with their hands, not only to survive but also to sustain each other through mutual inter-dependence.
5. REMEMBER that humanity cannot recreate the life that has been destroyed. I have given you limited resources. You have everything for your need, but not for your greed. Learn to care. Learn to share.
6. STUDY my Word and commit your lives towards eco-justice, so as to prevent impending catastrophes. Remember, I have taught not only not to kill humans, but also not to cut trees.
7. THROW out all arms and technology which cause irreversible destructions of the foundations of life.
8. REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE resources, so that the earth and all that in it shall live long.
9. FIGHT for the rights of earth, never compromising with the values of the state and empire. I, the Lord am with you.
10. REMEMBER that you are not the owner of the land, merely its guardian. You are accountable what I have entrusted you. Be free! But be responsible!

We who are gathered here on this day 1st September 2017 at the EDEN Eco-Spirituality Centre, Othera, for the ‘World Day of Prayer for the Creation’, pledge to honour and obey this ‘Green Covenant’, as we continue to be the Creation of the Creator God. Amen.

The third training for the teachers of the Church of South India (CSI) Schools was held on 29th July 2017 at the CSI Synod Centre, Chennai. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Hon. director of the ecological concerns of CSI Synod, explained the significance of the Green School Programme to the participants. He said that the target before the CSI Synod is to convert 1000 Schools of the CSI to Green Schools within next five years and to improve the overall academic quality of the students by involving them in the Green School Programme. Dr. Narasimhan, an eminent ecologist, explained the philosophy behind the Green School Programme in his keynote address. Ms. Nisha Jacob took a class on the Green School Programme of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi, and demonstrated through the web on how to register online at the CSE Green School Programme. Dr. Regina, Associate Professor of Newbegin College, explained how the questionnaire to be filled by the teachers and the students before and after the Green Audit. Seventy teachers from five southern states of India participated in the training. Rev. Asir Ebeneser, director of SEVA, Rev. Maxcin John, director of Mission and Evangelism, and Rev. Sunil Raj Philip, director of communications, from the Synod Secretariat offered greetings. Ms. Augustina and Mr. Anish K Mathew, staff of the ecological department of the Synod, coordinated the programme.

Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad

Hon. Director of Department of Ecological Concerns of CSI Synod.

We, the delegates from the twenty four Dioceses of CSI attending the National Workshop on ‘Sustainable Values for a Green Church’ from 19thto 20th July 2017 at Kanyakumari request the CSI Synod to support only the development that fulfils the requirement of the present without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs. The present development paradigm which is being promoted by the developed countries is responsible for the global ecological crisis. We request the developed countries to change their present development paradigm using fossil fuels which is primarily responsible for Climate change.

As we are living in a global world any action of the developed countries will affect the entire universe, hence we must think globally and act locally. Though climate change is a global problem, all people are not equally responsible for it. The industrialised nations, representing less than 20% of the world's population, account for nearly 90% of annual GHG emissions over the last century, mainly through the burning of fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas). Hence, we make a distinction between the ‘luxury emissions of the rich' and the ‘survival emissions of the poor'. Hence, we condemn the move of US president to withdraw from the Paris agreement.

As the CSI is committed in protecting the integrity of creation, we do believe that Green protocol should be reflected in the life and ministry of the Church. We do believe that the Church should respond prophetically or lament like Jeremiah when big multinational companies exploit natural resources and consequently the whole creation is being crucified. The Church has to express solidarity with the groaning creation. God the creator, designed the universe as interdependent and as a living organism and therefore the harmony of the universe will be preserved only by the dynamic balance between all its components.

We will resist the claim that anything in creation is merely a resource for human exploitation, species extinction for human benefit; consumerism and harmful mass production; pollution of land, air and waters; all human activities which are now leading to rapid climate change; and the policies and plans which contribute to the disintegration of creation. We conserve Energy and water; educate the congregation to ensure that energy is used efficiently and wherever possible reduce its use; encourage the increased use of renewable energy; use water efficiently with care and avoid pollutants entering the drainage system.

Regarding Waste, we recommend four R’s as the policy of CSI- Reduce Waste, Recycle waste, Reuse Waste and Refuse waste coming from the developed countries.

Regarding Materials and Resources, we request all the members of the CSI to buy products which are made in accordance with the principle of using material in a sustainable way and to use locally-made goods wherever possible. Also, to take into account the lifetime costs of materials while repairing, altering or rebuilding premises; maximise the proportion of paper used from sustainable sources and recycled materials; offer electronic communication as an alternative to paper for those who are suitably equipped; show concern for the environmental quality of food production systems and the equitable global distribution of food

Regarding Natural and Built Environment, we request the CSI Synod to utilise opportunities to conserve and enhance the natural and built environment, promote and encourage eco friendly constructions. As huge Church buildings are becoming a liability in the western countries, we request the CSI synod to formulate a policy for Church Constructions. At present 80% money is being spent on constructing tower of the Church. We speak and fight against the exploitations of natural resources by multinational companies and we use natural resources extravagantly for the construction of Church buildings. Huge luxurious church building should not be permitted in the CSI. In future, various denominations in an area should think in terms of sharing Church buildings.

During travel, we have to make every effort to reduce air pollution and energy consumption; avoidance of unnecessary travel and the use of energy efficient vehicles; explore undertaking the ministry of the Church in ways which reduce the need for travel particularly by car and encourage the use of public transport, cycle and by foot; to car pool wherever possible ;to support the expansion of good quality public transport, the provision of improved facilities for cyclists and pedestrians and local Green Travel Programmes.

Agriculture is a serious issue which the Church must address. The wrong agricultural practices are responsible for diseases, malnutrition, poverty etc. The Church has to promote organic cultivation and take a strong stand against GM cultivation in agriculture. Encourage parish members to plant saplings outside their boundaries. We request each parish to honour poor farmers during Christmas season. The CSI Synod is supporting the Gadgil committee report in protecting Western Ghats and has taken a stand against the GM Crops in Agriculture. Fossil-fuel based, automobile-centred, throwaway economy is not a viable model for the world. The alternative is a solar/hydrogen energy economy, an urban transport system that is centred

on advanced – design public rail systems and a comprehensive reuse/recycle economy. We have to build an economy that will support, not undermine, the future generations. Therefore, we commit ourselves to be members of both the living community of creation in which we are but one species, and members of the covenant community of Christ; to be co-workers with God, with a moral responsibility to respect the rights of the future generations; and to conserve and work for the integrity of creation both for its inherent value to God and in order that justice may be achieved and sustained.

Kanyakumari declaration is the outcome of the first workshop organized by the CSI (Church of South India) Synod Department of Ecological Concerns as a prelude to the implementation of Green Protocol in CSI. The Rt. Rev. M Joseph, chairman of Ecological Committee of CSI Synod, Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Hon. Director of CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns, Mr. K. Paul Thomas (MD and CEO of ESAF Bank), Mr. Sridhar Radhakrishnan (Thanal), Dr. Sankaranarayanan Paleeri and the eco leaders of all the Dioceses of CSI enriched the workshop with their comments and views. CSI has a membership of 45 lakhs of people spread all over south India and Srilanka comprising of 24 dioceses. CSI has initiated projects like rain water harvesting, waste management, afforestation, renewable energy, planting saplings in all the dioceses in addition to publication of resource materials and eco educational programmes.

Contact: Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad, Hon. Director, CSI Synod Dept. of Ecological Concerns. csi.oikos@gmail.com

The Anglican Communion Environmental Network has added its voice to those condemning President Donald Trump for deciding to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement.

President Trump said the agreement, which was reached in October 2015, would hurt the American economy, cost American jobs and put the US at a disadvantage with rival economies such as China and India.

In its statement, the Environmental Network expressed its sorrow at the decision. The statement continued:

“Although the agreement fell far short of what we need to halt the progression of climate change, it was a huge step in the right direction, especially because for the first time almost every nation on the planet agreed to work together.

“The Anglican Communion Environmental Network connects Anglican and Episcopalian Christians around the world. We know that our brothers and sisters on every continent are already experiencing the damaging and sometimes catastrophic effects of climate change.

“Coming out of the Paris climate conference a senior USA State Department official said this: ‘The faith community has been essential in making the case that confronting climate change is our moral responsibility. The Christian community has led that effort, helping to push for a strong agreement that protects vulnerable and threatened communities’.

“We call on fellow Christians and all people of faith in the USA to hear the voices of their brothers and sisters who are already impacted by climate change. Our faith calls us to feed the hungry. Today, this means halting those actions which are causing hunger and starvation. We know that climate change means water change – less rain in some areas, devastating flooding in others and sea level rise which threatens our coastal areas and small island states. Without rains, the crops fail and there is famine. Where there is famine people leave their land and end up as climate refugees, which leads to further suffering, social devastation and the risk of increased violence.

“We do not want our legacy to be the world where the waters have been polluted, the air is foul, and the creatures we love have become extinct. As people of faith, we dream of a better world for our children and grandchildren, where energy is renewable and clean, where we are not poisoned by our food, and where no child goes to bed hungry.

“We do not despair. We are encouraged and inspired by the example of the people of South Africa, who lived under a denialist president. In the face of a devastating AIDS pandemic, President Thabo Mbeki denied that HIV causes AIDS; he included AIDS denialists in his National AIDS Committee and promoted pseudoscience. He refused to embrace antiretrovirals and many people died as a result. But the effect of his denialism was the rising of civil society movements. People came together as never before and pushed for change. As a result, South Africa ended up with one of the best HIV programmes in the world. We hope and trust that President Trump’s stance will mobilise civil society in the USA and around the world in a way that has never been seen before.

“We stand in solidarity and prayer with the people of the USA. We pray that you will find ways to work for a just transition to green energy and, hearing the cry of the Rust Belt, that jobs will be created in the renewables sector for those who have lost hope. We pray that you will find ways to protect the incredible beauty of nature that God has put into your care. Come and join your brothers and sisters in the rest of the planet as we work for a better future for all.”

Under the Paris agreement, countries agreed to keep global temperatures well below 2C above pre-industrial temperatures. Richer nations also committed to helping poorer ones financially to enable them to adapt to climate change and switch to renewable energy. But under the terms of the deal, the United States cannot pull out until 5 November 2020 – which is also a day after the next US presidential election.

Signed by Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackad,
(Hon.Director of CSI synod Department of Ecological Committee), Member of Anglican Communion Environmental Network Steering Committee

Please find the attached pdf file of the Environment Sunday Holy Communion Worship Order prepared by the Ecological Concerns Department of the Church of South India Synod. Please feel free to use it in its fuller form, parts of it, or adapt it.

Prof.Dr.Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon.Director
CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

Please find the Worship Service Order for the Environmental Sunday in English in PDF attached here. Please do feel free to use them in your churches/organisations/institutions.

Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon. Director,
CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

Please find the Worship Service Orders for the Environmental Sunday in Tamil and Malayalam in PDF attached here. Please do feel free to use them in your churches/organisations/institutions.

Prof. Dr. Mathew Koshy Punnackad
Hon. Director,
CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns

The Department of Ecological concerns of CSI Synod is anguished to learn from the media that theGEAC (Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee) of the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, has recommended the commercial release of the genetically modified (GM) mustard,namedDhara Mustard Hybrid 11 (DMH11), developed by theCentre for Genetic Manipulation of Crop Plants (CGMCP), University of Delhi South Campus(UDSC),New Delhi.

We object the introduction of the GM mustard on the following grounds:

Introduction of anherbicide-tolerantcrop
1. The proposed GM Mustard engineered with three genes is an herbicide tolerant (HT) crop and has not been evaluated for its impact. Herbicide tolerance trait has been problematic world over due to its negative impact on ecology, the creationof unmanageable super weeds and deleterious impact on rural health. In the Indiancontext, this will also affect rural livelihoods.

Impact on honey bees and honey trade
2.Mustard is a major forage crop for honey bees. Honey from GM crop fields will be rejected by consumers, both within and outside the country, thereby devastating the honey trade. In addition, honey bees are adversely impacted by GM crops, which may not only decrease the honey production but also crop yields in mustard and other crops.

Genetic Use Restriction Technology (GURT)
3. This GM mustard contains three genes of which two are for creating male sterility and restoring male fertility. This is GURT technology.India’s Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Act describes GURT as a technology that is injurious to the life or health of human beings, animals or plants and the Act does not register any such varieties.

Safety trials and transparency of regulators
3. It is reported that the multi-location trials were conducted under the aegis of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. While the BRL I trials (Biosafety Research Level I) took place since 2010 in Rajasthan, the second year trials of BRL Iwere stopped by the Rajasthan State Government. It had asked for the destruction of trials fields in one of the trials.

4.Quite contrary to recommendations from varioushigh-levelcommittees, field trials of GM mustard were conducted without making the regulatory system fool-proof. Additionally, when the same

inadequacy prevails in the regulatory system as at the time of declaring a moratoriumon GM crops in 2010, permission is being sought for commercial release of GM mustard!

5.It is quite perturbing that the proponents of the GM mustard (Delhi University) have refused to put out thebiosafety reports on the trials made so far.

6.The impact of GM crops on the therapeutic values of the particular vegetable or seed must be assessed before taking any decision on GM mustard, as mustard is one of the important items in the Ayurveda treatment, especially for rheumatism, skin diseases, cholesterol, blood circulation and cancer.

7.Since plants form the base for Ayurveda medicine, if they are genetically modified,it wouldcertainly haveadverseimpact on the Ayurveda treatment systems and medicine, especially in Kerala where Ayurveda is a major industry attracting a significantamount of foreign exchange.

?High-levelreports and recommendations against GM crops

8.It must be recalled that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Agriculture in its report submitted to the Parliament on 9 August 2012, on examination of the pros and cons of the GM thoroughly and on wide consultations, unequivocally recommended the banning of even fieldtrials ofGM crops for various reasons.

9.It may also be noted that India is a centre of diversity of mustard having 9720 varieties. Once the GM mustard is released, there is every chance of these being contaminated and lost. Irrecoverably.

10.In the case of Bt brinjal,Dr.Swaminathan, India’s tallest agriculture scientist, recorded his apprehensions quite clearly against it.

Denying Farmers’ Rights
11. Farmers’ worry about the fate of various mustard varieties developed by them over decades in the context of commercialisation of the GM mustard is quite genuine. It has to be recalled that Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Act, 2001, ensuring Farmers’ right to save, use, exchange and sellfarm-savedseeds still prevails.The introductionof GM mustard, for that matter any GM crop, will jeopardise them all, beyond the shadow of any doubt.

Irrationalhaste in introducing GM crops
12.What is beyond comprehension is that when the world itself is debating over the GM issues, and many countries who introduced them are banning it progressively (in Europe itself, 18 countries have banned it till recently), why is this tearing hurry to introduce the same technology in India, that too without making a proper impact study?

The Department of Ecological Concerns of Church of South India Synod seeks to create awareness among all people aboutenvironmental andecological concerns. Itendeavours toencourage people to refrain from abuseof nature’s resources and to strive to keep the earth a habitable place for all. CSI is the only Church in India, recognised by UNDP with an eco Award, in 2009

Department of Ecological Concerns of CSI Synodpleadsthe Government of India to reject out-rightly the recommendations of the GEAC and declare India as GM free.

Prof.Dr.Mathew KoshyPunnackad
Hon.Director,CSI Synod Department of Ecological Concerns