Are you promoting construction, or initiating collapse? (#campusministry #dminlgp)

Last week I posted some thoughts on global warming as I considered a book I had read on the topic. This week I want to follow up on that post as I reflect on Jared Diamond's book, Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed.

Diamond presents an interesting examination of both ancient and modern societies that have, for various reasons, collapsed. Often the reasons for any one nation's collapse are multi-faceted, but Diamond recognizes five significant paths to destruction:

1. Damage done by a society on their environment
2. Climate change (not necessarily the result of human activity)
3. Hostile neighbors (related to military action, as well as economic or political activity)
4. Decreased support from friendly trade partners 
5. Lack of response to approaching societal problems

Of course, we have probably all studied the fall of the Roman Empire at some point in our education. In this example, Rome crumbled under the weight of several factors--increased pressure from hostile neighbors and a lack of a response from approaching problems to name the most significant. In a way, Rome fell as a result of its great success. Growth beyond a sustainable level occurred within an environment lacking the presence of an appropriate response to the problems that existed.

Fast forward to today, and the more I consider the consumer culture I am living in, the more problems I see for our future as we remain on this path. Is it really reasonable to conclude that we can continuously expand our economy through consumption? At some point, as the number of people on earth increase, and as resources decrease, a "collapse" (of some variety) logically must occur.

I'm forced to ponder why it is, then, that we continue along such a path.

Speaking for myself, if I am really honest, I suppose there is this thought within me that says, "It's someone else's problem to deal with at some point in the distant future...I need to get what I can get now, while the getting is good." 

Here are two conclusions I can make as a result of that statement:

First, mine is a pretty selfish stance, from any perspective.

Second, if we don't choose to address our problems, our young people will reap the consequences of our lack of response.

I talk about our individualistic society quite often in this blog, typically critiquing how it promotes selfishness and self-seeking behavior. But allow me to take another perspective today.

Our individualistic and capitalistic context has led to great technological achievements (though I'm speaking of "individualistic" as inspired and free individuals who cooperate with one another toward good ends), and modern technology has given us the ability to communicate across continents. Therefore, as Diamond suggests, we live in a time like no other in history. We actually have the capability to not only identify any impending danger on the path before us, but to communicate that danger efficiently and effectively--and to do so on a global level. This is something that past societies did not have at their disposal. They did not have the ability to understand their world as we do, and to develop responses as a global community, communicating those responses to the masses at the speed of a tweet!

Our future intrigues me. Students on our college campuses are preparing to engage a world like no other generation before has ever seen. They have incredible opportunities! Yet without encouragement and direction, I suspect they will simply follow our lead, and ignore their problems until a crisis is upon them. At that point, it may be too late.

As a leader, I must model for our young generation a selfless lifestyle--one that looks far into the future and responds appropriately. I cannot afford, in spite of what my culture allows, to be short-sighted in the way I live my life. I can choose to care about the future, and to care about others. I can use my energy and intellect to lead boldly--to promote construction rather than to initiate collapse.

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The view from my front curb (#dminlgp #campusministry)

A bit ironic, but I had just finished reading a book on global warming for my doctoral studies. Honestly, I've just never given a whole lot of thought to the topic. Al Gore visited Boise State University a couple of years ago, and a lot (no, a LOT) of students attended...but I'm pretty sure I had something else to do that day that just seemed more urgent to me than the topic of global warming (though I don't recall what that "something" was).

[Incidentally, the Midland-Odessa area is in the midst of a severe drought...no rain for about a year. Upon arrival, I complained at the state of our rental car, as it clearly had not been washed. Oops...no water for washing cars. "Bill, you need to think a bit more before opening your big mouth."]

As I was on my flight headed home last night, I thought I would take a look at what some of my study cohorts were saying about the book we had all read together, Mark Maslin's Global Warming: A Very Short Introduction. I came across Glenn Williams' blog post and thought I would share it with you.

Glenn authors an excellent blog on leadership. I've started recommending it to more and more of you who are in campus ministry. Glenn always has incredibly keen insights into the way personal virtues intersect and inspire leadership activity. His thoughts are simple, yet far from simplistic.

Case in point: He used Dr. Seuss to uncover my self-seeking attitude in this most recent post. It doesn't get much more simple than Dr. Seuss (yet he still found a way to footnote a couple of heavyweights).

I can identify with Glenn when he talks about his rather indifferent attitude toward global warming. No, I have not ignored the fact that I have a role in helping to protect the environment, but my involvement probably hasn't gone much farther than the walk to the front curb of the sidewalk on Tuesday morning to set out the recycle bin (actually, come to think of it, my wife usually makes that walk). Oh, and I did take another big step a couple of months ago by downsizing to one very fuel-efficient car, and making a commitment to drive less.

But, is that enough? No...probably not. I tend to only do simple and easy things that make me feel good, but don't get in the way of my continued comfort. Yep, there it is...that self-seeking attitude rearing its ugly head again.

As Maslin points out, the issue of global warming does have a strong scientific backing. The evidence that he points to is worth a look--if for no other reason than the potentially staggering implications on the future of our world assuming global warming is indeed a valid issue. But get ready to squirm a bit. The conversation on the topic exposes huge economic and political ramifications for our consumerist society if we really are to take global warming seriously. We live in a world that believes the pursuit of indivudual desires is sovereign--that MY desires and MY happiness is all that really matters--and I wonder if this type of attitude is conducive to addressing the global warming issue.

In the field of campus ministry we see that students are indeed concerned about their world. I'm glad that they are, and we need to provide opportunities for them to engage in the various conversations that are taking place. Honestly, the postmodern worldview contributes positively to students' thinking on this topic. There is a growing desire among the younger generations to be more community-minded. This is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate how God's desire for us, as His people, is to live in peace with others and in harmony with His creation.

This means, as leaders, we need to also do our homework and identify daily activities that will demonstrate our desire to care for the world. We need to look beyond our own self to identify how our actions impact the world around us. To change the world in positive ways is as simple as taking small steps forward each day--to the front curb of the sidewalk, and beyond.

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For more reading on this topic, check out a blog by my doctoral colleague, Russ Pierson, who is writing his dissertation on the topic of Christianity and environmentalism.

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