Amidst the terrifying destruction and heartbreak that has been unleashed in the Middle East this week, from Zomba I attempt to offer a small sign of hope. Not the least of the tragedy in the Middle East is that we are fighting the wrong war. The human community needs to marshall all available resources to fight the life-or-death battle against climate change and environmental degradation. Sadly this is the last thing on the mind of those firing missiles this week.
It is not, however, the last thing on the mind of the students at Zomba Theological University. Over the last two years a quiet theological revolution has ocurred in our community. Prior to that faculty and students paid scant attention to either the immediate environment or the global ecological crisis. By now this situation has changed dramatically.
There is now a very intentional effort to create a “green campus” – with extensive tree planting, creation of orchards, shrubberies and vegetable gardens. At the same time students are engaging the issues at an academic level with an unprecedented number choosing ecotheological topics for their final-year dissertations. There is also a formidable evangelistic zeal to take the message of environmental responsibility to surrounding communities.
While some faculty are supportive, it is very clear that the imagination, drive and energy come mainly from the students. When I think of how careless and exploitative my own generation has been in relation to the natural environment, I am humbled and encouraged by all these signs that the next generation will take a much more responsible approach.
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