Church Teaching God gave humans dominion over the earth, thereby making us stewards of creation as we work with Him in His continuing act of creation.
We must constantly consider how our actions glorify or harm this wonderous gift God has entrusted to us. This is a multi-faceted question, which must not be over-simplified.
With a vocation to glorify all life which includes respect for the inviolability and integrity of life, humans find themselves in the presence of all God’s other creatures. We can and are obliged to put them at our own service and to enjoy them, but our dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility. It is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God. This is a marvelous challenge to human intellect. – 112, 113, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue:
it is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.
-23, 217, Laudato Si’
The Book of Genesis provides us with certain foundations of Christian anthropology, including the meaning of human activity in the world, which is linked to the discovery and respect of the laws of nature that God has inscribed in the created universe, so that humanity may live in it and care for it in accordance with God’s will. – 37, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Climate Change
There is urgency to this issue. Every Pope since at least Paul VI has written of our need to shift to a more responsible use of the earth and its abundant resources. The Church accepts that that need is now urgent.
“A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system… Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat… at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it. It is true that there are other factors, yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases released mainly as a result of human activity. – Pope Francis, Laudato si’, –23
Energy & Resources
The good steward neither allows the resources entrusted to him to lie fallow or to fail to produce their proper fruit, nor does he waste or destroy them (Matthew 25:14-30). Rather, he uses them responsibly, for the Lord’s purposes, to realize their increase so that he may enjoy his livelihood and provide for the good of his family, his descendants, and his neighbors.
Humanity’s relationship with creation and the creatures of the earth “requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation.” – 115, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
One of the higher priority issues in economics is the utilization of resources, that is, of all those goods and services to which economic subjects — producers and consumers in the private and public spheres — attribute value because of their inherent usefulness in the areas of production and consumption… Resources in nature are quantitatively scarce, which means that each individual economic subject, as well as each individual society, must necessarily come up with a plan for their utilization in the most rational way possible, following the logic dictated by the “principle of economizing.” – 346, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Because of the powerful means of transformation offered by technological civilization, it seems that the balance between man and the environment has reached a critical point… A reductionistic conception quickly spread, starting from the presupposition — which was seen to be erroneous — that an infinite quantity of energy and resources are available, that it is possible to renew them quickly, and that the negative effects of the exploitation of the natural order can be easily absorbed… – 461, 462, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Conservation & Sustainable Development
Care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using “with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate — animals, plants, the natural elements — simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs.”
Responsibility for the environment, the common heritage of mankind, extends not only to present needs but also to those of the future… This is a responsibility that present generations have towards those of the future… A correct understanding of the environment… at the same time…must not absolutize nature and place it above the dignity of the human person himself. In this latter case, one can go so far as to divinize nature or the earth, as can readily be seen in certain ecological movements that seek to gain an internationally guaranteed institutional status for their beliefs. – 346, 461-463, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Species Diversity & Wildlife
Man and woman find themselves also in the presence of all the other creatures. They can and are obliged to put them at their own service and to enjoy them, but their dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God, who is its author. Man must discover and respect its value. This is a marvellous challenge to his intellect, which should lift him up as on wings towards the contemplation of the truth of all God’s creatures, that is, the contemplation of what God sees as good in them. Man must recognize all of God’s creatures for what they are and establish with each of them a relationship of responsibility. – 113, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
“Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness. Man must respect the particular goodness of every creature, to avoid any disordered use of things which would be in contempt of the Creator and would bring disastrous consequences for human beings and their environment.” – 339, Catechism of the Catholic Church
It is a responsibility that must mature on the basis of the global dimension of the present ecological crisis… This perspective takes on a particular importance when one considers, in the context of the close relationships that bind the various parts of the ecosystem, the environmental value of biodiversity, which must be handled with a sense of responsibility and adequately protected… – 466, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Green Party of Manitoba The party states, as matters of principle, that:
– it believes that human beings are a part of nature, and not separate from it. Whatever humans do to the web of life, we do to ourselves
– the evolutionary creativity and continued productivity of Earth and its regional ecosystems require the continuance of their key structures and ecological processes. Pollution of air, sediments and water, along with exploitive extraction of inorganic and organic constituents, weaken ecosystem integrity
The party further states that:
– the province stands at a moment of crisis. The latest reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have stated in no uncertainterms that we must act immediately if we are to have any chance at mitigating the worst effects of climate change
– Manitobans want to embrace a clean, green economy without delay, with realistic planning decisions that prepare us for the carbon-free future. They are looking for a party they can trust to take action
– its climate strategies are integrated into every area of our platform. It seeks to promote a shift in consciousness and guide Manitobans towards practices that promote the flourishing of people a swell as the planet
– through innovative policy, Manitoba can be positioned for an energy future that is robust, sustainable, clean and affordable
In order to address the climate crisis, the party advocates:
– creating greenhouse gas reductions to be achieved by 2030, 2040, 2045 and 2050, taking into consideration input from stakeholders and the public
– incorporating climate targets into budget reporting to ensure that climate policy goals and budget policy goals work together
Energy & Resources
The party advocates:
– to support the transition away from fossil fuels, investing in Green energy, transportation and agriculture
– protecting and managing provincial natural ecosystems in ways that reduce overall emissions
Sustainability
The party states, as a matter of principle, that:
– it promotes the precautionary principle – look before you leap — economic regulatory activity should considerthis adage when reviewing a practice or product which potentially posesa significant threat of harm to human health or the environment
To strengthen industry regulations and support sustainable commercial development, the party advocates:
– supporting only commercial development and operations that demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving and protecting ecosystems
– strengthening and enforcing regulations that serve to stop pollutionfrom all sources, with a focus on mining and fossil fuel operations
– improving the Made-in-Manitoba Climate &Green Fund and the Expert Advisory Council, by (i) refocusing the priority of the Made-in-Manitoba Climate & Green Fund on funding climate mitigation and adaptation measures; (ii) providing the Expert Advisory Council with specific year-end greenhouse gas reduction targets to achieve; (iii) esnuring that the advisory council develops the most cost effective measures to achieve year-end targets; and requiring the advisory council to release a report every second yearon the progress being made to reach the targets that have been set
To promote sustainable energy and efficiency, the party advocates:
– increasing the energy efficiency of homes and other buildings by: (i) establishing incentive programs to ensure that Manitoba’s existing buildings are properly insulated; (ii) changing building codes to ensure that all new buildings meet super-efficiency insulation standards, and include small-scale renewable micro-generators; (iii) halting the expansion of natural gas services for residential heating; and (iv) exploring alternative, renewable options to natural gas heating, such as geothermal and electric
Conservation
The party states that:
– Manitoba’s natural ecosystems have been taken for granted for many years, and their existence has become threatened as a result. For example, 70 percent of Manitoba’s wetland habitats have already been drained,damaged or destroyed as a result of agricultural and urban development
– failure to conserve wetlands has resulted in increased flooding, greater greenhouse gas emissions,and more nutrient run-off into our waterways
– the province’s natural ecosystems are a vital part of its infrastructure that protects against flooding, mitigates climate change, and sustains the provincial economy
To ensure that Manitoba’s ecosystems are preserved for futuregenerations, the party advocates:
– preventing further pollution to Manitoba’s lakesand rivers, by: (i) working cooperatively with the City of Winnipeg and the federal government to upgrade Winnipeg’s sewage treatment system to prevent diluted raw effluent from being spilled into the Red River; and (ii) mandating strengthening and enforcement of manure management regulations for hog barns, chicken barns and feedlots in the Red River Basin to eliminate manure run-off
– restoration of Manitoba’s wetlands and protection of the health of provincial waterways, by: (i) creating a grant program for farmers to move ponds and wetlands around their land for convenient farming, as long as the water is retained; (ii) using tax incentives to encourage the replacement of the natural water retention capacity where potholes and sloughs have been removed; (iii) protecting government owned wetlands and prohibit further wetland drainage; and (iv) ensuring that all public right of ways, including ditches, road allowances, lagoons and drainage ditches, preserve as much natural wetland habitat as possible
– preserving and restoring Manitoba’s boreal forests, by: (i) in consultation with Indigenous communities having claim to territory through traditional occupation and/or use, identifying areas to be preserved and protected for hunting, fishing and gathering purposes; requiring that all woodland operations, including logging, be done in a way that ensures the regeneration of the affected forest; ending clear-cutting in provincial parks, and promoting healthy reforestation projects
– banning harmful resource extraction methods, including: (i) the mining of peat lands, which are the filter for Lake Winnipeg; (ii) fracking, in order to prevent contamination of ground waterwith toxic chemicals; and (iii) uranium mining and exploration
Manitoba Liberal Party The party advocates
– harnessing Manitoba’s potential as a world leader in fighting climate change through implemention of a “Carbon Payment Plan” – funding projects that improve reductions and storage of greenhouse gases – planting trees, wilderness, efficiency projects, with the goal of making Manitoba Carbon neutral within a decade and carbon negative after that
The party has provided no official statement regarding its policies or positions regarding:
– species, diversity or wildlife
– energy & resources
– sustainable development
Manitoba New Democratic Party Climate Change
The party states that:
– the climate crisis, which is the defining issue of our time, with far-reaching globabl consequenes and real effects here at home, also introduces economic and health challenges
– the consequences are already affecting all Manitobans, in the form of floods, wildfires, and droughts
– but in Manitoba, climate change is also a great opportunity. While oil-rich provinces face tough choices between jobs and the environment, in Manitoba things are different. The province is rich in hydroelectric power, which is cleaner, healthier, and more reliable energy
– it is more sensitive now to the human costs of Hydro developments, and plans to actively address that legacy in a positive way
– because demand for hydro will continue to grow, even while companies and countries around the world phase out gas-powered vehicles and replace them with electric ones. Thus there are many opportunities for Manitobans to come out ahead financially, and for the economy as a whole to benefit, while taking serious action on climate change
The party advocates:
– committing to meet climate targets of the Paris Accord with science and evidence-based policies, including the banning of oil and gas subsidies and fracking
Sustainable Development
To build good jobs and sustainable growth, the party advocates:
– returning Manitoba Hydro to provincial control, and using it to generate more green jobs with expanded broadband
– installing geothermal and solar energy systems using Hydro expertise, and begining to transition Hydro into a renewable energy company
– supporting mining jobs in northern Manitoba by granting multi-year mining permits
Progressive Conservative Party of Manitoba The party states that:
– as a matter of principle, it is committed to environmental leadership through responsible management of resources, conservation and a commitment to both present and future generations
– since it formed government in 2016, it launched the “Made-in-Manitoba” climage and green plan to reduce emissions, including investment of $100 million in green infrastructure through an innovative Conservation Trust Program, to help preserve and protect the environment for future generations
– as part of a new ‘Five-Point Guarantee’ during the prior election, it commited to continuing implementation of the Made-in-Manitoba green plan to provide environmental solutions that work for Manitoba
Climate Change
The party states that:
– the federal government has unfairly imposed its rising carbon tax on Manitobans, after rejecting its Made in Manitoba Climate and Green Plan that would have reduced more emissions than the federal carbon tax
– it filed a motion challenging the federal carbon tax and the special deals and exemptions it has granted to other provinces, and expects that Ottawa must respect the province’s billions of dollars in clean Manitoba Hydro investments
Sustainable Development
In support of the global focus on reduction of plastic waste, which has put a spotlight on the need to improve waste management and recycling, the party advocates:
– inorder to reform Recyclable Waste Regulations, (i) banning landfilling of materials in recycling programs; (ii) expanding recycling programs to include more materials, including organic waste; (iii) including commercial and industrial waste in recycling programs; (iv) working with cities and municipalities on consolidating landfills; and (v) setting ambitious targets regarding the share of municipal waste prepared for reuse and recycling to be met by 2025
– strengthening green retrofit programs by developing a $25 million/year retrofit program, delivered through Efficiency Manitoba, to grow Manitoba’s green economy by offering financial incentives for specific renovation products and services to encourage use of new energy-saving products and technologies in homes, farms and businesses, such as smart thermostats, envelope renovations (insulation, windows, doors) and high efficiency furnaces. The party expects that at full implementation, this will achieve natural gas savings targets of 0.75% of annual domestic natural gas consumption, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 135,000 tonnes in three years while growing Manitoba’s green economy
– reducing transportation emissions, by: (i) making Manitoba’s biofuel standards the cleanest in Canada with an ethanol requirement at ten per cent and the biodiesel requirement at five per cent in 2020, inorder to reduce carbon emissions from internal combustion engines, (ii) displacing fossil fuels, so as to reduce emissions by displacing 375,000 tonnes over three years, the equivalent of taking 75,000 cars off the road or planting 25 million trees; (iii) seeking advice from the Expert Advisory Council on the expansion of electric charging infrastructure to enable the transition to electrification of transportation, including public transport; and (iv) supporting tree planting through the Conservation and Grow Trusts
Species, Diversity & Wildlife
The party advocates:
– in order to improve both safety and wildlife welfare, ending night hunting, which is a dangerous and sometimes deadly activity, by (i) implementing the Safe Hunting and Shared Management Act; (ii) enhancing enforcement and prosecution of fish and wildlife offenses; and (iii) disclosing the names of indivuals charged for night hunting and fish wildlife offences
– in order to end suffering in provincial fish and wildlife populations due to fragmented management regimes and unsustainable harvest resulting in local conservation closures, implementing shared management to bring all of those who care about fish and wildlife management together to work collaboratively towards sustainable fish and wildlife populations, by (i) continuing to advance a meaningful and respectful shared management framework for wildlife and fish resources; (ii) launching additional shared management boards to advise on the management of regional fish and wildlife populations; and (iii) building on steps taken to date, better managing harvest, working with commercial fishers and anglers to sustain fish populations in Manitoba’s great lakes
Energy & Resources
The party states that Manitoba would benefit from better land and water planning to guide drainage and water retention efforts and make the provincial landscape more resilient in light of our changing climate
The party advocates development of a Provincial Water Management Strategy for:
– conservation of wetlands and enhanced water storage
– better drainage of high quality soils
– improved flood protection
– water quality improvements and carbon sequestration (emission reductions) through reservoirs (wetlands) holding and filtering water
– improved downstream water quality in our lakes and rivers
– enhanced biodiversity
– sustained agricultural production
Lake Winnipeg
The party advocates:
– enhanced conservation of Manitoba’s wetlands to protect the water quality of Lake Winnipeg, provide habitat for multiple species, store carbon, nitrogen and phosphorous, and mitigate the effects of flood and droughts brought on by climate change
– investing an additional $50 million in the Growing Outcomes in Watersheds (GROW) Trust Fund to raise our total commitment to $200 million, complementing the $154 million already invested in the Conservation Trust and in the GROW Trust Fund, such that both funds will provide stable and perpetual funding for the country’s most comprehensive green stewardship programs, focusing on threatened and temporary wetlands, complementing regulatory protection of permanent and semi-permanent wetlands under the Sustainable Watersheds Act
Parks
The party advocates a renewed parks strategy, to compensate for demands for maintaining municipal services, which has caused the ability to invest in other infrastructure to decline. The strategy would include:
– promoting enhanced visitor experiences and better integration of parks with local communities
– achieving a more sustainable financial model for Manitoba parks
– partnering with other organizations on capital investment requirements and delivery of an improved parks experience
– developing opportunities for corporate/private sponsorship investment in parks including sponsorship and naming rights
– developing agreements with municipalities and First Nations to develop cottage lots, expand campgrounds, and operate and maintain these areas providing new tax, lease or fees revenue opportunities
– creation of dedicated funds/revenue accounts for provincial parks, which will allow private donations to flow to specific projects and parks
– maintaining and improving provincial trail networks, including (i) the Great Trail, which stretches 1,555 kilometers across the province and has been the object of approximately $9 million in investment, (ii) working to keep provincial trails accessible for hikers and bikers and provide Manitobans with more opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, even in winter months; (iii) partnering with 22 volunteer trail groups across the province to continue investing in and expanding the trail network; and (iv) working with Snoman and ATV Manitoba to further develop and maintain a trail system for snowmobiles and ATVs
The party has provided no official statement regarding its policies or positions regarding:
– climate change
– species, diversity or wildlife
– energy & resources
– sustainable development
Points to Ponder Points to Ponder: Stewardship of Creation
Consider discussing the following questions with your local candidates, elected officials, and the parties, and with your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow parishioners:
Many voices, including scientists, the Vatican, and the United Nations, agree that in order to avoid catastrophic global heating, with resulting unpredictable increases in the number and severity of extreme weather events, loss of agricultural land, particularly in the poorest countries, and collapse of ecosystems, global average temperature increase must be limited to 1.5 degrees Centigrade; and that to achieve such a limit, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide must be cut in half by 2030 and brought to zero net increase by 2050. Canada is currently committed is to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, relative to 2005 levels, by 2030, but according to the federal auditor general is not on track to meet that goal.
– Are the recent massive forest fires from British Columbia to Nova Scotia linked with climate change? If so, what measures can and should Canada, Manitoba, and individual Manitobans take to combat climate change?
– What can or should federal, national or provincial, and municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, families, and individuals do, if anything, to help prevent irreversible and possibly catastrophic damage to the earth’s atmosphere?
– How can or should the national or provincial government help guide Manitoba toward a sustainable, adaptable, and resilient economy and life style, in order to protect future generations and those who live in other parts of the world, while enabling Manitobans to work at materially-sustaining and spiritually fulfilling jobs?
In March 2023 the Auditor General of Manitoba issued a follow-up report (https://www.oag.mb.ca/audit-reports/report/follow-up-of-previously-issued-recommendations-2/) pertaining to a number of recommendations it had made to the Legislative Assembly and to responsible provincial authorities in 2020. Nineteen (19) of the recommendations related to oversight and the safety, including licensing and monitoring, of drinking water systems across the province. Of the 19 recommendations, six had been implemented or otherwise resolved.
– The Church has declared that access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right. Whose responsibility is it to ensure that that right is realized? What expectations do individuals and communities have of provincial and local governments charged with responsibility for safe drinking water?
– What can or should national, federal, and local governments, the Church and other private agencies, and individuals do to ensure that safe drinking water is available to all
The same report reviewed fifteen (15) recommendations related to irregularities in financing for and management of a provincial Quarry Rehabilitation Program. Of the 15 recommendations, none had been implemented.
– Is the failure to implement measures intended to facilite the rehabilitation of quarry mines consistent with provincial goals regarding sustainability and care for the environment?
– if not, what can be done to promote implemenation?
Some candidates and parties have expressed doubt concerning the extent to which human activities are adversely affecting the climate. Many authorities, scientific and academic, including the Vatican, have disagreed, suggesting that there is broad and relatively close agreement among qualified environmental scientists that human are having an effect, and that in order to avoid catastrophic global heating, with resulting unpredictable increases in the number and severity of extreme weather events, loss of agricultural land, particularly in the poorest countries, and collapse of ecosystems, global average temperature increase must be limited to 1.5 degrees Centigrade; and that to achieve such a limit, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide must be cut in half by 2030 and brought to zero net increase by 2050.
– The US National Space and Aeronautics Administration has recently published the following charts. What if anything to do they tell us about climate change, or consensus among scientists?
According to the Canada Energy Regulator (https://www.cer-rec.gc.ca/en/data-analysis/energy-markets/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles/provincial-territorial-energy-profiles-manitoba.html):
- Manitoba’s GHG emissions in 2020 were 21.7 megatonnes (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e). Manitoba’s emissions increased 19% since 1990 and 6% since 2005.
- Manitoba’s emissions per capita are 15.7 tonnes of CO2e– 11% below the Canadian average of 17.7 tonnes per capita.
- The largest emitting sectors in Manitoba are agriculture at 34%, transportation at 31%, and buildings (residential and service industry) at 14% of total emissions (Figure 7).
- Manitoba’s GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector in 2020 were 0.89 MT of CO2e, attributable to crude oil production and oil and gas transmission.
- Manitoba generates virtually all its electricity from renewable sources. As such, it emits less than 0.1 MT CO2e emissions from electricity generation, or 0.1% of total Canadian GHG emissions from power generation.
- The greenhouse gas intensity of Manitoba’s electricity grid, measured as the GHGs emitted in the generation of the province’s electric power, was 1.1 grams of CO2e per kilowatt-hour (g of CO2e/kWh) electricity generated in 2020. This is an 89% reduction from the province’s 2005 level of 9.7 g of CO2e/kWh. The national average in 2020 was 110 g of CO2e/kWh (Figure 8).
– Manitoba can take pride in its energy production processes. Yet emissions continue to increase. What more, if anything, can or should be done to reduce emissions, and who should do it?