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Africa - Atlas of Our Changing Environment
A new book, Africa - Atlas of Our Changing Environment, was launched yesterday after a two-year project by the United Nations Environment Programme. It shows over 300 “before and after” satellite images that provide a sobering assessment of the damage caused to the natural environment in less than four decades. Most of the photos are also available on the UN website: http://na.unep.net/AfricaAtlas/AfricaAtlas/site_images.php.
The principle cause of damage is the enormous increase in Africa’s population and the unsustainable use of resources (check out some of the photos of the city size increases), but many believe climate change will likely aggravate the situation. Africa’s population grew to 0.9 billion people in 2005, and land available per capita has fallen from 13.5 hectares per person in 1950 to 3 today, and likely to 1.5 by 2050. Yes, it’s good for populations to grow–but we need to learn how to sustainably use resources, too. Some of the problems Africa now faces: massive deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and erosion.
Many of the problems can be addressed and reversed, and this would be a great way to bless Africa. The Church needs to be part of this effort, considering God gave mankind a command to care for and steward the Earth’s resources which has never been revoked.
So here’s a ministry opportunity: go to Africa, live in a place, become part of its culture, and help solve some of these problems in a way that is sustainable and improves the quality of life for Africans. Wouldn’t such a life be a witness that says “God loves you” and “Good News: the Kingdom of Heaven is near”? How many opportunities would that sort of life open up for talking about Jesus?
I wonder if that’s something Chinese Christian businessmen would be interested in doing!
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