[Letters] Environmental and human ecology

Currently, there is much talk about ecology and protection of the environment, especially after the international debate in Copenhagen. We might say that ecology is the study of the relationship between living organisms and their environment. We can make a clear distinction between natural and human ecology. Environmental ecology leads us to the protection of nature in all its facets. We are saddened when forest fires destroy the natural beauty and economic assets of forests and when plastics, cans and other waste are thrown on the streets.

Environmental care is one of the high-priority challenges that humanity faces, and it highlights global warming and the scarcity of energy resources. In Africa and in other countries, there are serious problems with erosion and desertification of large tracts of land. Our selfishness and materialistic mentality are components of environmental aggression. That leads us to see humanity as the absolute owner of nature. We might say that human selfishness hurts creation.

Human ecology refers to the protection of the human being who is a part, together with the environment, of all of creation. A human being is attacked when its dignity and freedom are despised or when human life is destroyed, either before birth (abortion) or at the end of life (euthanasia).

When the Berlin Wall fell and the reality of communist countries became well known, the great assault on the dignity and freedom of the people and the assault on nature through the pollution of water, land and air were revealed. The denial of God of the Marxist regime led to a denial of human freedom and respect for creation. Respect for man is the most important aspect of ecology because man represents the noblest creature in the universe, as St. Thomas Aquinas said. If we want a world with more peace and justice, we must protect nature in its environmental and human aspects as well.

by Arturo Ramo Independent Forum of Opinion, Spain