The Balance of Stewardship and Progress: A Christian Perspective on Environmental Responsibility – by Dan Janzen

Throughout history, the earth has experienced natural climate variations, from the Medieval Warm Period to the Holocene and Roman Warm Periods. Scientific data, such as tree rings and ice core samples, confirm that warming and cooling cycles have always been a part of Earth’s history. Yet, modern climate alarmism often disregards historical context, pushing policies that may do more harm than good.

Addressing True Environmental Hazards

Rather than focusing on reducing CO2 emissions at an astronomical financial cost, we should prioritize immediate environmental concerns that directly affect human life. Indoor pollution from cooking and heating fuels kills millions annually due to respiratory infections and heart disease. Contaminated water and inadequate sanitation are responsible for the deaths of 1.6 million children each year, while malaria remains a preventable killer of up to two million people annually. Meanwhile, China’s rare earth metal extraction processes, which is directly correlated with the rare earth metal demands of wind turbine and solar panel production, cause severe environmental and health hazards, polluting entire regions with toxic waste.

Economic and Agricultural Realities

Despite fearmongering about climate catastrophe, agricultural production continues to expand and CO2 produces a fertilizer effect. Global wheat production, particularly in India, is rising, thanks to advancements in CO2 levels, better crop varieties, and improved fertilizers. Yet, misguided environmental policies, such as Sri Lanka’s ban on synthetic fertilizers, have led to economic collapse and widespread hunger. The Chipko Movement in India serves as another example of well-intentioned but ultimately destructive environmental activism.

The Cost of Climate Policies

Danish statistician Bjorn Lomborg estimates that reducing global temperatures by 0.3 degrees Celsius by the century’s end would cost over $100 trillion. Even climate activists like Al Gore acknowledge the limited impact of current environmental policies. These regulations often serve elite financial interests, allowing them to shift investments and profit from policy changes while imposing economic hardships on the general population.

A Christian View of Stewardship

A biblical perspective calls for responsible management of resources rather than radical, counterproductive policies. Stewardship means using God’s creation wisely, ensuring prosperity for future generations. This approach contrasts with extreme environmentalism, which often views humanity as a blight on the earth. Instead, a balanced, conservation-focused model promotes sustainable resource use while allowing economic and social progress.

The Role of Agriculture and Innovation

Practical solutions exist for responsible resource management. For example, sustainable forestry, as seen in the U.S., allows for repeated tree harvesting and replanting, maintaining both productivity and environmental health. Similarly, no or minimum-till farming techniques improve soil health and crop yields. Agroforestry, the strategic integration of trees into agricultural systems, offers a way to enhance land use efficiency, particularly in developing nations. It can help bring the gap between starting with what you have to increasing profit and investing in more modern farming techniques.

Global Impact and Christian Responsibility

Christian stewardship extends beyond environmental management to fostering human flourishing. The missionary movement has historically transformed societies by addressing both physical and spiritual needs. A biblical worldview prioritizes helping the poor while promoting free markets and innovation. True sustainability comes not from restrictive environmental policies but from leveraging economic opportunities to lift people out of poverty.

Conclusion: A Path Forward

To address global challenges, we must balance conservation with progress. Instead of succumbing to alarmist narratives, we should focus on real, solvable issues—clean water, proper sanitation, and sustainable agriculture. By promoting policies rooted in both sound science and biblical stewardship, we can ensure a thriving future for both humanity and the environment. Dan invites you to help increase the spread of the blessing effect of Christian worldview and the pushing back against extreme environmentalism with is oppressive to farming and profitability. Contact Dan at 6166766684 or email at dan@fcfi.org. Dan sees the oppressive nature of environmental regulation overreach that Europe and western states in particular, are encountering and would be interested in rallying the farming community and others together to focus on policy improvement that maximizes blessing.