An advertisement for an upcoming talk grabbed my attention because it had two of my favorite, most used words (at least 5x a day?)-- sustainable agriculture. Here is an excerpt from the blurb on Michael Braungart's talk "Cradle to Cradle and a Sustainable Agriculture":
Michael Braungart, author of "Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things," states "When we focus on the 'efficient' use of materials and resources, we are burying our heads in the sand. I argue that we need a conscientious approach to design, so that everything we take from nature either goes back to nature (in a biological cycle) or is up-cycled into further products (the technical cycle). There is no such thing as 'waste' in this picture - only resources which we can redeploy forever. The human consumption becomes good for the planet." Braungart's talk will apply these principles to agriculture and the "production of food."
Many thoughts came from this blurb! It is good to be reminded of the concept of cradle to cradle (looking at the entire life cycle of something). For one, it makes sense because while "waste" goes out of sight-- therefore out of mind-- it doesn't actually leave. It still exists in some form. Braungart argues that there is not such thing as waste. Thinking through this is kind mind blowing, and calls for a systemic change in the way we view (and live) our lives. (i.e. my trash that my garbage man takes and burns or puts in a land fill-- why am I producing any? what about clothing that I give away-- why am I do that? How can I make choices so that nothing IS thrown out or given away?)
Secondly the idea of "Human consumption becomes good for the planet" is also mind blowing from an environmental perspective (mainly because so much of what we hear and study relates to pollution and destruction and harmful modification of the environment!) Although humanly it is normal to think of things in terms of good and bad, God said "let humans have dominion over ....all" (Genesis 1:26-27). Therefore if God instituted this dominion, this rule, this stewardship, this care... it is for a PURPOSE.
Consumption is inherent in this dominion, and therefore it is good. But all aspects of our lives, it is tainted. Sin has tainted consumption and dominion over creation, so that "all of creation groans...waiting for the revealing of the Sons of God" (Romans 8).
We groan, and creation groans, because of the sickness and suffering and injustice and war and death of this present age! In the present age we have a sense that things are not as the "should" be. When we consume, there is waste. When we dominate, there is destruction. (This is so negative and hopeless-- and it is without Christ! Praise God for Christ who will restore all things! I eagerly await the day when this will not be so.)
But for now, I want to work toward restoring the God-given mandate to rule and steward and care for creation through loving Christ and my neighbors. One such way will be to take away the idea of "waste" and think holistically AND Biblically about consumption.
