Gem ppt

1. PPT-33
Green Earth Movement
An E-Newsletter for the cause of Environment, Peace, Harmony and Justice
Remember - “you and I can decide the future”
WANT TO
PROTECT
PLANET?

2. A Change in Lifestyle
Fr Lancy Pinto, courtesy: Examiner, Aug. 15, 2015
Fr Lancy Pinto is the Chairperson of the Justice and Peace Commission, Mumbai.
We need to bring
about changes in
our lifestyle if we
want to protect
our planet.

3. This year the historic encyclical of Pope Francis -
Laudato si' - has created a deep impact not only
in the minds of Catholics,
but among people of all
faiths. This encyclical has
touched the heads of the
nations. Some of them
have acclaimed it, and as
usual, there are some who
have subjected it to
criticism.

4. Well, one could reflect deeply on every
page of the encyclical, but I would prefer
to restrict my thoughts to the whole
attitude of consumerism that the Pope
speaks about. A
change in our
mindset could
definitely affect
the climate.

5. Is consumerism a bane or a boon? This question will
be highly debatable because one could view it from
different perspectives. For the economist, it could be
considered a boon, precisely because the more you
consume, the greater the demand, leading to an
enhanced growth in economy and creation of more
job opportunities.

6. However, from an environmentalist's point of view,
this would surely be a bane, because a consumerist
world creates tremendous pressure on the
environment, denuding its natural forests and finite
mineral resources.

7. Consumerism may lead to greed for more
and more, resulting in a tremendous waste.
Technology has made most things cheaper.
Computers, printers, mobiles and other
electronic gadgets that were expensive just a
few years ago are easily
affordable today, and at
a much cheaper price.
Today's modern
technology has turned
the tide.

8. In one way or another,
all of us fall prey to
consumerism. The
feeling of emptiness
from within leads us to
have a desire. "The
emptier a person's heart
is, the more he or she needs
things to buy, own and consume." (LS 204)

9. This consumerist culture often entices us to
buy/consume more than we need, only because it
was cheap or had some other benefi t like: "Buy one,
get one free." We tend to
buy things that we do not
need at all. Why do you
buy things you don't use? I once
asked my friend who used to
frequent malls here on his
annual visit to Mumbai. "It is
quite simple,“ he answered,
"Things are much cheaper here,
and I just buy it because I don't feel the pinch.“

10. We are caught up in this
web of consumerism
because "The market
tends to promote
extreme consumerism
in an effort to sell its
products. People can
easily get caught up in a
whirlwind of needless buying and spending.
Compulsive consumerism is one example of
how the techno-economic paradigm affects
individuals." (LS 203)

11. Pessimism will not get us anywhere near a solution. We are
people of hope and we need to work against all odds. Things
can change if we are ready to do our bit in this society. The
Pope believes that though the situation on is grim: "Yet all is
not lost. Human beings, while capable of the worst, are also
capable of rising above themselves, choosing again what is
good, and making a new start, despite their mental and social
conditioning. We are able to take an honest look at ourselves,
to acknowledge our deep dissatisfaction, and to embark on
new paths to authentic freedom. No system can completely
suppress our openness to what is good, true and beautiful or
our God-given ability to respond to His grace at work deep in
our hearts. I appeal to everyone throughout the world not to
forget this dignity, which is ours. No one has the
right to take it from us." (LS 205)

12. One begins to wonder whether changing one's
lifestyle could really bring any change. What
changes could we bring in our lifestyle? There
are a host of things we could do.
Maybe I could mention on a few of them, and I
am sure you will find many more:

13. 1. Use public transport: It is much easier to travel by one‘s
own car or a two-wheeler. But if we use public transport
instead, we will be doing less
harm to the environment, and
at the same time, you will be
able to save some money.
Walking to the bazaar or short
distances will also add value
towards your good health. On
Sundays, a walk to the church
as a family will help you enjoy
the walk and offer quality time with your family. When taking
your children to school or going to your workplace, create a
car pool with your colleagues or neighbours.

14. 2. One can easily opt to become a 'green
consumer'. While purchasing, prefer buying
things which are environmentally friendly.
Purchase those goods that come in recyclable
packs. If purchasing electrical goods, look out
for energy savers.

15. 3. If you want to save and invest in
banks or companies, choose and
promote those who are
environmentally conscious and are
green consumers.

16. 4. Make best use of leftovers from the kitchen.
Food could be recycled creatively.
5. If you go to a restaurant, request for your
excess food to be parceled so that wastage is
eliminated.
6. Cook only what can reasonably be consumed.
(LS 211)

17. 7. Make best use of natural
sunlight.
8. Save every drop of water.
Recycle water and whenever
possible, promote water
harvesting in housing societies.
9. Plant trees where possible.
Stop deforestation. Every tree
helps to maintain and restore
the balance in the ecosystem.
10. Say 'no to plastics.

18. 11. Share resources in terms of knowledge,
skills and your methods of intervention on in
dealing with consumerism.
12. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi
suggested energy
saving practices like
switching off
streetlights on
full-moon nights and using bicycles at least once
a week. This could go a long way in saving
energy and our planet from heating.

19. 13. Form environmental groups in the
vicinity and find creative means of
re-using or recycling various things.
“A change in lifestyle could bring
healthy pressure to bear on those who
wield political, economic and social
power. This is what consumer movements accomplish by
boycotting certain products. They prove successful in
changing the way businesses operate, forcing them to
consider their environmental footprint and their patterns of
production.
When social pressure affects their earnings, businesses
clearly have to find ways to produce differently. This shows
us the great need for a sense of social responsibility on the
part of consumers. (LS 206)

20. Longing and waiting for things to change will
only be a futile dream, but persevering efforts in
making things change will make the dream a
reality! Let's do it together! Praise be
the Lord!

21. This educational PowerPoint Presentation (editable) is
prepared by GEM Team (courtesy: internet).
For other similar GEM PowerPoint Presentations on
various environmental issues see next slide.
These PPTs may be downloaded from our website
www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
The GEM PPTs can be creatively used for various
groups like school/college students, NGOs,
government officials, Church groups, SCC groups,
housing society members and so on.

22. 1. Twenty Simple Tips
2. Solar Energy
3. Junk Food
4. Plastic – a boon or bane?
5. Green Passion
6. Zero Garbage
7. Soft drink – A Health Hazard
8. Waste to energy
9. Rain Water Harvesting
10. Eco-friendly Religions
11. Happy Green Diwali
12. Climate Change
13. The future of Biodiversity
14. Genetically Modified Foods
15. Waste Water Treatment
16. Body, Organ, Tissue Donation
17. Organic Farming
18. Waste to cooking gas
19. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
20. Protect Mangroves
21. Say NO to Bottled water
22. Save Lakes and Ponds
23. Forests are green lungs
24. Coal Mining and Ecology
25. Sin of Food Waste
26. Climate change and Poverty
27. Stop Water Pollution
28. Carbon Footprints
29. Parks and Open Spaces
30. Rising Sea Levels
31. Laudato Si – Pope’s Encyclical
32. Air Pollution
33. Life Style Changes
34. Water Pollution
35. Sand Mining
36. Bees and Environment

23. Also visit
www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in
Click RESOURCES section
for various resource materials including Quiz on
BIBLE, FAITH, LITURGY, CHURCH,
ENVIRONMENT etc.
ALSO JOKES, PUZZLES etc FOR CHILDREN
AND YOUTH

24. For Free GEM E-Newsletters visit –
www.infantjesusjogeshwari.in. Go to GEM
section,
click GEM E-NEWSLETTERS

25. Questions for sharing
1] As a priest, leader of the community how can you be a role
model by your simple life style without compromising on the
comforts you need for your ministry?
2] In this all pervading consumerist culture how will you
convince your parishioners to change their life style? Share
your strategies.
3] As a concrete follow up on today's session and to act on
Pope’s encyclical on environment, can we have a 10 minutes
slot in each deanery meeting to share on various projects
taken up in your parishes and institutions?