CHAPTERONE
WHAT ISHAPPENINGTOOURCOMMONHOME
17.
Theological and philosophical reflections on the situation of humanity and the world can sound
tiresome and abstract, unless they are grounded in a fresh analysis of our present situation, which is in
many ways unprecedented in the history of humanity. So, before considering how faith brings new
incentives and requirements with regard to the world ofwhichwe are a part, Iwill briefly turn towhat
is happening to our common home.
18.
The continued acceleration of changes affecting humanity and the planet is coupled todaywith
a more intensified pace of life and work which might be called “rapidification”. Although change is
part of the working of complex systems, the speed with which human activity has developed contrasts
with the naturally slow pace of biological evolution. Moreover, the goals of this rapid and constant
change are not necessarily geared to the common good or to integral and sustainable human
development. Change is something desirable, yet it becomes a source of anxietywhen it causes harm
to theworld and to the qualityof life ofmuchof humanity.
19.
Following a period of irrational confidence in progress and human abilities, some sectors of
society are now adopting a more critical approach. We see increasing sensitivity to the environment
and the need to protect nature, alongwith a growing concern, both genuine and distressing, forwhat is
happening to our planet. Let us review, however cursorily, those questionswhich are troublingus today
andwhichwe can no longer sweep under the carpet. Our goal is not to amass information or to satisfy
curiosity, but rather to become painfully aware, to dare to turnwhat is happening to the world into our
own personal suffering and thus todiscoverwhat each ofus can do about it.
I.
POLLUTIONANDCLIMATECHANGE
Pollution,wasteand the throwaway culture
20.
Some forms of pollution are part of people’s daily experience. Exposure to atmospheric
pollutants produces a broad spectrumof health hazards, especially for the poor, and causesmillions of
