In May 2002 the UN Development and Environment Programme published a book called The Global Environment Outlook in preparation for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in August 2002. The message of the report was chilling for everyone, especially young people. It stated that unless we change our destructive ways there will not be a bright future for any succeeding generation because we already are beginning to see the Death of Life.

It is estimated that within 30 years one quarter of the world’s mammals will have become extinct. Over 11,000 species of plants, and 1,200 species of birds are also heading over the abyss of extinction. This is the sixth largest extinction spasm in the 3.8 thousand million years of life on earth and it is a direct result of humans’ activity in destroying the habitat for other creatures. Such destruction raises serious questions for our faith tradition which celebrates life and the author of life.