Re-envisioning Ecological History
September 28, 1997
The first page in the history of saving the Black Sea from ecological devastation has been written. Intentions have been sensitized; however, mechanisms are now invited to be put into practice. The baton has been passed, and each of us returns to his or her own main occupation. This does not mean an abandonment of the problem. It means watchfulness with preparedness for every assistance.
The account of the transactions and their conclusions will not occupy our Modesty at this present festal closing session. Instead, we wish to turn our attention within, to ourselves. For, as human beings, we are both the reason for the various ecological problems and the receiver of the results from these. Yet, it ought not to escape our attention that we are ourselves an “environment” for our fellow beings. Each of us, as a dweller in the wider ecosystem, is in this respect an environment for our fellow human beings. Human, it is true, but an environment. As a result, it is not sufficient that we secure the best terms for the natural ecosystem, which surrounds humankind, and with which we usually concern ourselves. Instead, it is imperative that we secure that human behavior, which is the best for human symbiosis as well. Unfortunately, the ecological problems relating to the natural environment are usually provoked by human actions, but despite the fact that this is serious, it is frequently of less importance in comparison with all the ills that humanity directly provokes against its fellow human beings.
Re-writing the Ecological Story
Ecological adulteration is an imminent danger, a danger threatening both nature and humankind. Unfortunately, however, it is human beings who by means of other human beings are frequently not simply a danger threatening them, but the cause of a catastrophic event. History overflows and our days are equally full of persecution, oppression, genocide, execution, destruction and plundering of man by man. Thus, it is not just the damage to nature, resulting from greed and indirectly harming the members of human society, which is a serious problem. It is also the direct harm brought upon human society, resulting from various inhumane motives and developing within diseased and fanatical souls, which should be the focus of our attention. Consequently, we ought to turn our interest to these people as forming the environment of the rest of our fellow human beings and as creating for them good or, occasionally, unbearable conditions of life, and to investigate in what ways we are able to improve the conditions of man’s dwelling alongside one’s fellow man.
With full awareness, we have sidestepped the issue. However, if we do not change within ourselves the attitude of our heart towards our fellow human beings from an attitude of indifference or even enmity to an attitude of friendship, cooperation and acceptance, then we will achieve nothing in the confrontation of the ecological problems of worldwide interest.
Having the hope that the heavy clouds of conflict among people will be dispelled, and daily offering fervent prayers for this cause, with gratitude and paternal love we bid farewell to the beloved participants of this symposium. And we entreat the Lord to protect and shield them all during their return journey and throughout all the days of their life that lies before them.
