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Planet in Peril
And, behold, it was very good,” was the Creator’s assessment of His majestic and wonderful works at the close of Creation week (Genesis 1:31). While His earlier reviews received the rating of “good,” the newly completed earth now represented the highest level of perfection possible. What a sight it must have been! The grandeur and beauty that was actually spoken into existence on the brand-new Planet Earth was nearly beyond the imagination. Green velvety grass fully carpeting all of the grounds; lofty, majestic trees crowning the entire planet; pure, untainted air correspond-ing with a perfect climate; the bluest of skies; magnificent and picturesque views of delicate, breathtaking flowers and shrubbery at every turn; fertile soil that produced luxurious fruit and vegetation; perfectly shaped hills and mountains; lovely lakes and stately rivers positioned with precision; animals of the gentlest nature; and, of course, the special ones for whom Planet Earth was created—made perfectly in God’s own image—human beings. Unmistakably, the newly created planet exceeded both utopia and paradise, and was assuredly beyond what could ever be compared to its current state.
Periling Conditions
Biblical accounts (Genesis 1:1; Psalm 33:6, 9; Psalm 104:5; Hebrews 11:3) indicate that God is indeed the Creator of all that exists, and that the foundations of Planet Earth were laid by Him in such a manner that they should not be removed. Yet, alarms related to the planet’s instability are almost overwhelming. In fact, many believe the planet is now endangered due to its steadily increasing temperatures, widely referred to as global warming. This condition is described as resulting primarily from humanly induced climate changes due to excess greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane that follow some human activities such as the burning of fossil fuels, vehicle emissions, forest clearings, and if you can believe it, cow burping. While the scientific explanations for the planet’s preindustrial age temperature increases are mostly related to humanly induced activities, those opposing this position believe the current warming trend is the result of natural variability in which the planet goes through phases of warming and cooling with minimal human contributions. In either case, the effects are overtly evident with melting glaciers, increased flooding, and unpredictable weather patterns. Alaska’s sea ice, for example, has decreased over the past few decades, creating immense challenges for approximately 4,700 polar bears that live and thrive on, and just beneath, its surface.1
More concerns with the earth’s ecosystem center around the diminishing Amazon rainforest, having decreased one-fifth its size in the past three decades because of deforestation. Covering nearly 70 percent of Brazil, and producing approximately 20 percent of the entire earth’s oxygen, the Amazon rainforest contributes immensely to the planet’s climate control.2 The cause for concern seems legitimate.
Overpopulation has additionally been cited as one of Planet Earth’s periling detriments. China, the most populous nation in the world with 1.3 billion people, is also considered by Netherlands’ Environmental Assessment Agency as the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide. Plummeting car usage and increased coal-powering industries seem to be the primary contributors. The Chinese government’s intervention with a controversial law that permits only one child per family has not prevented this nation’s alleged contributions to the planet’s perils.3
Overpopulation occurs when a population’s density exceeds the capacity of its environment to supply individual health requirements, with the worst case scenario being a lack of fresh, clean water. Naturally, if the water goes, human life is soon to follow. While it is known that water covers 70 percent of the earth’s surface, less than 1 percent is considered fresh water that we can actually use. Central Africa’s Lake Chad, once the sixth largest lake in the world, bordering four countries: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, and Nigeria, could be an early example of the planet’s diminishing water supply. Having shrunk to half the size of Rhode Island over the past 45 years, this once abundantly resourceful lake is now only 10 percent of its earlier size. Yet it remains the major water supply for approximately 20 million people. Scientists believe that water diversion and drought are the main contributors to the shrinking lake levels.4 The major concerns with the planet’s availability of water, competition for water, and accessibility to water are related to its anticipated population growth to approximately 9 billion people by 2050. The exceptional population growth prediction presents equal concerns with waste management, particularly in rapidly growing urban areas. For some, the periling conditions have triggered mind-boggling questions regarding the future of Planet Earth and its inhabitants.
Definitive Causes and a Hopeful End
In consideration of the widely held belief that nature has reacted to humankind’s interference, scientific explanations represent man’s best attempt to account for the drastic demise of the earth’s original beauty and resourcefulness. The Scriptures, on the other hand, make it clear that the periling conditions on the earth are a sure and direct result of the fall of Adam and Eve, and of the entire human race since their time. It should not be a wonder that Planet Earth is in peril. The planet is cursed! Three times now, a dreadful curse has been pronounced upon the earth because of disobedience: First, upon the posterity of Adam and upon the earth (Genesis 3:17, 18); next, upon the ground after Cain slew his brother Abel (Genesis 4:11, 12); and, of course, the most dreadful curse from God upon the earth, to date, came at the time of the Flood when both the earth and its inhabitants were destroyed (Genesis 6:11-13). Without a doubt, it has been the sins of man that have brought about the earth’s periling conditions. The cyclical, continuous, and intensifying transgressions of humankind deserve full credit for the earth’s tainted, corrupted, and stricken state. As a matter of fact, the Bible records that all of creation is now groaning or suffering, and has continued in this troubled state since the first sin: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). Yet this daunting state of the earth is not presented without hope as it also anticipates a joyful deliverance. Christians can rely fully on the Scriptures to explain the perceived perils of the earth. The Bible reveals that the pangs of the earth’s travail point us forward to a better day for the planet: “Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13). God further promises to “destroy them which destroy the earth” (Revelation 11:18). Oh yes, those who choose to permanently align themselves with Satan, destroying the earth both physically and spiritually, will themselves be destroyed. But living a life of faithfulness and obedience produces an equally fitting reward: eternal life, residence in heaven, and on a brand-new earth. God promised it (Isaiah 65:17; Isaiah 66:22; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1), which means it is true. The earth will be fully restored! Thank God there will be no fierce winds, no droughts, no restless seas, no melting glaciers, and best of all—no more sin!
JOYCE JOHNSON, Ph.D., is an educator in higher education and leadership consultant currently residing in Hagerstown, Maryland.
References
1www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/alaska.html
2www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/brazil.html
3www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/china.html
4www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/planet.in.peril/cntrlafrica.html
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