Administration Of Genesis 1:27 today

Outreach, an LGBTQ Catholic resource that offers news, essays, resources and community for LGBTQ Catholics, their families and friends, and those who minister to them in the Catholic church worldwide, has recently published some articles that may help us see that God’s plan for human sexuality is more than we may have previously considered.

Listening and care

Father Charles Bouchard, O.P., Dominican friar and the senior director of theology and sponsorship at the Catholic Health Association of the United States, suggests that the U.S.C.C.B.’s Administrative Committee may have wanted to say as little as possible. They urge that we employ “all appropriate resources to mitigate the suffering of those who struggle with gender incongruence.” This tells us to focus on what we can do for trans patients. 

We can listen, we can promote scientific research, we can provide pastoral and spiritual care and we can care for families. (It is noteworthy that the document uses the term “gender incongruence” while other parts of the Note seem to suggest that it is not a real medical condition that requires intervention.) 

Trans people are teaching us that human sexuality is more varied and complex than we might feel comfortable admitting. The bishops’ Note may open the door for serious discussions of the questions transgender experience raises. It may help us see that God’s plan for human sexuality is not entirely binary after all. Maybe we will discover that God is glorified by creation in more ways than we thought possible. (Bouchard, 2023)

Father Richard J. Clifford, S.J. , a leading Old Testament scholar, founding dean of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry and the former dean of the Weston Jesuit School of Theology from 1983 to 1987, concludes that the expectation that this single verse (Genesis 1:27) can adjudicate modern controversies about gender is thoroughly misguided. There is no hint that the ancient author knew anything about the modern issue of gender identity. And the text gives no hint either. To use “male and female he created them” against (or for) contemporary discussions of gender is to read into the biblical text rather than read the biblical text.

Genesis 1 responds to the community’s doubts about their future by showing how God arranged that all animate beings would continue through their offspring. The text does this, in a strikingly original way, by affirming that God implanted in every living creature a seed (in Hebrew, zera‘) from which future generations will come. The word “seed” appears six times in the text, all occurrences referring to plant and animal life in Genesis 1.

God’s generous commitment to support human life is the proper context for interpreting “male and female he created them.”

For humans, however, the text uses an alternate expression to make the same point, “male and female he created them.” “Male and female” thus means that humans, by divine will, share the life-potency of other life forms on earth. God’s generous commitment to support human life is the proper context for interpreting “male and female he created them.”

In its context, it means that human beings have the same “seed mechanism” that assures them they will continue by begetting descendants to replace the generations that have gone before. Genesis 1:27 assures every human being, not only Israel, that God has implanted in them the means for continuing the future existence of the human race. (Clifford, 2023)

Pope Francis, in the encyclical “Laudato Si”, urges us to adopt a kinship relationship with nature.

Preference for Kinship

Our scientific study helps us to better understand the complex and wonderful role we have in the understanding and supporting all of Creation.

References

Bouchard, C. (2023, April 24). Catholic ethicist on U.S. bishops' directive: Transgender people teach us that human sexuality is "varied and complex". Outreach.faith. Retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://outreach.faith/2023/04/catholic-ethicist-on-bishops-directive-transgender-people-teach-us-that-human-sexuality-is-varied-and-complex/ 

Clifford, R. J. (2023, June 25). Richard J. Clifford, S.J.: Using "Male and female he created them" to adjudicate gender controversies is "thoroughly misguided". Outreach.faith. Retrieved June 25, 2023, from https://outreach.faith/2023/06/richard-j-clifford-s-j-using-male-and-female-he-created-them-to-adjudicate-gender-identity-controversies-is-thoroughly-misguided/ 

Engineering Climate Change for a just transition

Engineering is a discipline, based on science, that works to achieve realistic outcomes for deploying technology to solve problems within boundaries set by deadlines and economic constraints.

Engineering Discipline and Climate Change

 

Following the science to the low carbon world is best implemented by engineering professionals.

Professor Susan Krumdieck, a New Zealand engineering academic, is currently Professor and Chair in Energy Transition at Heriot-Watt University, where she leads the academic programme of the Islands Centre for Net Zero. Her research and teaching since 2000 at Canterbury University in New Zealand focused on developing the engineering methods and innovative technologies for adaptation to reduced fossil fuel production and consumption.

Transition Engineering is an emerging field where engineers in all disciplines use a standard methodology to change unsustainable practices through innovating and carrying out “carbon shift projects” that achieve the deep 80% downshift in fossil fuel use, while increasing long-term real values, reliability and wellbeing… There are thousands of carbon shift changes that stop fossil carbon from being extracted and reduce the risk of runaway global warming..1

Six Areas where Transition Engineering can apply established methodology to determine the most suitable path to reduce fossil fuel production and consumption are:

1. OIL, GAS AND COAL PRODUCTION
2. TRANSPORT
3. ELECTRICITY
4. CAPTURING AND BALANCING EMISSIONS
5. AGRICULTURE
6. POPULATION

OIL, GAS AND COAL PRODUCTION

Deep and rapid reduction of emissions requires deep and rapid reduction of fossil fuel extraction and production and engineering analysis to inform international and national policy energy transition to low carbon.

 

TRANSPORT

Transport Transition Engineering is paramount for reduction of automobile production, decommissioning of fuel depots and service stations, growth of electric rail, urban trams and coastal shipping, and particularly in innovating ways to adapt for freight logistics and airline travel.

 

ELECTRICITY

Electric Power Engineering experts will work with Energy Managers, Energy Engineers, and Building Services to develop demand-side participation innovations that marry up the supply and demand. Engineers work with politicians and the public to determine the potential energy supply, costs and power grid stability.

 

CAPTURING AND BALANCING EMISSIONS

Engineers in coal and gas power generation, fertiliser production and steel production will be honest with politicians and the public about the possibility to engineer the transition to 80% less emissions with Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), and begin immediately to either install such systems or engineer the transition in some other manner.

 

AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Transition Engineering to achieve economically effective downshifting of fertiliser use, water consumption, and ruminant stock numbers.

 

POPULATION

The Transition Engineering ethos of preventing what is preventable leads engineers to work on problems that have not previously been the purview of engineering.

 

The training and experience of engineers needs to be applied to the transitions required by climate change. In this way, expertise in the deployment of technology according to a plan that calculates the requirements for a just and economically feasible outcome, can result in career opportunities for technologists, technicians, and tradespeople in the low carbon world necessary for our best lives in the coming decades.

 

References

  

1 (2021, June 18). The Role of Engineering in Addressing Climate Change - Panmure .... Retrieved November 20, 2021, from https://www.panmurehouse.org/perspectives/articles/the-role-of-engineering-in-addressing-climate-change/

Science and Care of our Grandchildren

Scientists continue to study and report on the environmental and health risks that we must confront with serious action now.

Our grandchildren need us to act

 

A report in the Guardian in 2019 noted that Pope Francis believed that numerous studies tell us it is still possible to limit global warming. He added that to do this we need a clear, far-sighted and strong political will, set on pursuing a new course that aims at refocusing financial and economic investments toward those areas that truly safeguard the conditions of a life worthy of humanity on a healthy planet for today and tomorrow.

He put particular emphasis on the role of young people, who “show a heightened sensitivity to the complex problems that arise from this emergency. We must not place the burden on the next generations to take on the problems caused by the previous ones.”1 

The David Suzuki Foundation in an article by David Suzuki observes that we have become the impatient species, too busy to let nature replenish itself and too puffed up with our own sense of importance to acknowledge our utter dependence on its generosity. Instead, we steal from our children and future generations by extinguishing so many species that could have been here for them too.

We have many reasons to change our destructive ways, to show greater respect to nature. Above all, we have to think of the world we’re leaving to our children and grandchildren and those yet to be born. We must do it for love.2

 

The “boomer” generation took us from the social consciousness of the sixties to the indifference, “throw away culture”, and greed of our current time. We need to prevent our grandchildren from suffering the consequences of our poor decisions and inertia to face the facts we increasingly witness in the world around us.

 

References

 

1	(2019, December 5). Climate crisis is 'challenge of civilisation', says pope .... Retrieved December 5, 2019, from https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/05/climate-crisis-is-challenge-of-civilisation-says-pope
2	(2021, December 7). We have to stop squandering our brief time on Earth - David Suzuki .... Retrieved December 13, 2021, from https://davidsuzuki.org/story/we-have-to-stop-squandering-our-brief-time-on-earth/

 

Engineering Climate Change and Planning Skilled Work

Engineering professionals are experienced in energy system calculations, ROI economic calculations, determining skilled worker requirements for projects, and analysing scientific reports on climate changes.

Engineering Climate Change Mitigation

 

Many articles appear in social media suggesting changes and transformation in our energy production and use, transportation infrastructure, and building design and construction to reduce the warming effect these systems are having on the planet. Techniques to reduce our carbon footprint are particularly important in the light of the recent “red alert” from the IPCC. How are we to decide on which of these many transformation and transition projects we should prioritize to achieve the greatest temperature reduction in the shortest period of time? The experts best able to plan and organize this massive effort are engineers. These professionals work with science, technology, skilled workers, and economics as daily components of their practice. “Following science” with “practical and economical” solutions is the path that requires engineering expertise. Some recent ideas from social media underline the large engineering role to achieve the benefits we need.

 

An article in The Economist explains why curbing methane emissions will help fight climate change. It is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, and should be easier to control. 

 

Carbon dioxide remains the heart of the climate problem. Exploring the possibilities, practicalities and dangers of solar geoengineering remains a good idea. But it is on methane emissions that progress can be made most quickly. And the world is getting ever hotter. Methane should be given priority on the agenda at the cop26 climate summit this November.1

Oliver Milman, writing in the National Observer, reports that  ‘Blue’ hydrogen may pollute more than coal according to new research at Cornell University and Stanford University.

This means that the production of this hydrogen actually creates 20 per cent more greenhouse gases than coal, commonly regarded the most polluting fossil fuel, when being burned for heat, and 60 per cent more than burning diesel, according to the new paper, published in the Energy Science & Engineering journal. “It’s pretty striking, I was surprised at the results,” said Robert Howarth, a scientist at Cornell University who authored the paper alongside Mark Jacobson, a Stanford University researcher. “Blue hydrogen is a nice marketing term that the oil and gas industry is keen to push but it’s far from carbon free. I don’t think we should be spending our funds this way, on these sort of false solutions.”2

Blaine Brownell reports in Architect Magazine on designing an air conditioner that doesn't heat the earth  thereby reducing the contribution of AC to the climate crisis.

For example, the engineers at Gradient, a San Francisco-based startup, want to revolutionize the window unit. Gradient’s founders aim to marry the high performance of heat pump technology with the installation convenience of a conventional window unit. The Gradient unit resembles a bench with two thick supports that you hang over a window sill. The clever design means the unit doesn't obstruct the view out the window and places the noisier components on the outside. The company claims a 75% reduction in carbon footprint compared to conventional A.C. systems when used year-round for cooling and heating. Furthermore, the device relies on a reduced-footprint refrigerant to generate more energy-efficient variable conditioning.3

The US Office of Nuclear Energy is suggesting three ways to make nuclear power plants faster and more affordable to build.

For advanced nuclear energy to realize its potential, we have to make it more affordable and scalable. Only then can it meaningfully contribute to our energy, security, and environmental imperatives. That’s why NRIC will be working with GE-Hitachi Nuclear (GEH) and other key stakeholders on the first project of the Advanced Construction Technology (ACT) initiative. The goal of this cost-shared public-private partnership is to help demonstrate several technologies that, when combined, could reduce the construction costs of building new reactors by more than 10% and significantly lower the scheduling risks and uncertainties associated with them.4

Zachary Shahan, reports on the CleanTechnica web site that carbon capture & storage (CCS) and hydrogen paradises are fossil fuel delay tactics.

The smoke screens of CCS and hydrogen create two big problems. First of all, they are money dumps, sucking up government funding that could be used for truly helpful improvements and solutions — faster deployment of solar power, wind power, and EV charging stations; procurement of electric vehicles for governmental fleets; greater incentives for consumers to install energy efficiency, renewable energy, or electric vehicle technologies. Secondly, both CCS and hydrogen hype tell people, “We don’t really have to change much. We can just capture the carbon and bury it. [No, it’s not that easy, and it’s also bloody expensive.] We can stick to a fuel-based transport system rather than switch to charging at home, work, and destination. [The latter is often actually more convenient, not less convenient, but don’t let that secret get out.]” The message with both is basically to not worry about anything, not do anything, and leave it to some obscure experts to solve all our problems for us in a few years. I can see why that’s tempting, but it is definitely misleading and counterproductive. Looking at it most cynically, the people who push so hard for CCS and hydrogen as our saviors could be specifically trying to delay the cleantech transition. Well, some of them no doubt are.5

The complexity of the claims by different sources about what is a priority in addressing the climate emergency is an opportunity for engineering analysis to plan a course of action that considers GHG effects, economics, skilled worker requirements, and relevance of scientific studies.

 

References

 

1	(2021, August 14). Why curbing methane emissions will help fight climate change | The .... Retrieved August 14, 2021, from https://www.economist.com/leaders/carbon-dioxide-is-by-far-the-most-important-driver-of-climate-change/21803535
2	(2021, August 12). 'Blue' hydrogen may pollute more than coal, new research finds .... Retrieved August 14, 2021, from https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/08/12/news/blue-hydrogen-may-pollute-more-coal-new-research-finds
3	(n.d.). Designing an Air Conditioner That Doesn't Heat the Earth | Architect .... Retrieved August 15, 2021, from https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/designing-an-air-conditioner-that-doesnt-heat-the-earth_o
4	(2021, July 8). 3 Ways to Make Nuclear Power Plants Faster and More Affordable to .... Retrieved August 15, 2021, from https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/3-ways-make-nuclear-power-plants-faster-and-more-affordable-build
5	(2021, August 13). (CCS) And Hydrogen Paradises Are Fossil Fuel Delay Tactics. Retrieved August 17, 2021, from https://cleantechnica.com/2021/08/13/carbon-capture-storage-ccs-and-hydrogen-paradises-are-fossil-fuel-delay-tactics/

Covid-19 and Prudent Politicians

David Cloutier reminds us that the common good, as defined in Gaudium et spes (26), is not an aggregate; rather, it is a set of conditions for shared flourishing.

Dan Horan, OFM, explains Laudato Si https://youtu.be/TzyYPJLhZjc?t=18 

His article is subtitled “In the Face of Uncertainty, Our Leaders Need Prudence”.

Margaret Atkins OSA has connected the classical virtues of Thomas Aquinas to related virtues that may help with ethical decisions connected to climate change.

 Her table of related virtues can be applied to political decisions that impact the common good1

Thomas Acquinas Cardinal Virtues	Margaret Atkins OSA Related virtues	Connection to Climate Change
temperantia	moderation, frugality and abstinence.	moderate use of material goods to include the consumption of energy
justice	generosity, compassion, respectfulness, peaceableness and humility.	Effect of GHG gas production by wealthy nations on the large populations of the poor nations
prudentia, or practical wisdom	attentiveness, good judgement, studiousness, thoughtfulness, creativity, independence of thought and honesty	an effort to understand the basic issues of climate change
Courage (fortitude)	determination, hopefulness, industriousness and patience	Promote virtuous approach to climate change in conflict with policy that puts profit before people.

 Political prudence would recognize that any aggregate numbers—about health or economics—cannot capture what the common good really is. We have a bad habit of equating the common good with a simple aggregation of individual goods. Our choices are thus framed as individual conflicts: the economic survival of the small business owner versus the actual survival of potential victims of the virus.2

Cloutier writes about the response of the New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo, to Trump’s “aspirational” announcement that the country might reopen in time for Easter.

https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/sites/default/files/styles/article_full/public/20190903T1223-2047-CNS-ABUSE-PREVENTION-NY-SCHOOLS.jpg?itok=GjX_DTTl

Gov. Cuomo rejected the simplistic deaths-versus-dollars framework in favor of fine-grained judgments about how to balance various public goods. This was a step forward.

 Cuomo paid attention to the data, starting his presentation with numbers and charts, but he also made it clear by the nuances of his discussion that this was about more than data. At another press conference, he acknowledged a consideration that cannot be quantified: how we are living now does not promote flourishing. “This is not the human condition,” he said, “this is all unnatural.” These are the social and psychological realities of the shutdown, and they too need to be taken into account. The costs of stay-at-home orders are not only economic.2

Prudent politicians listen with all due humility to those who have spent their lives studying infectious disease and public health. They learn as much as they can about the facts, and then, with all due caution, they make decisions for the common good. The application of the ethics of Thomas Aquinas to the existential challenge of climate change is discussed in this blog article.

References

1	(2008, January 28). Passenger pigeons and polar bears: the ethics of global .... Retrieved January 28, 2020, from https://www.thinkingfaith.org/articles/20080128_1.htm
2	(2020, May 28). What the Experts Can't Tell Us | Commonweal Magazine. Retrieved June 6, 2020, from https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/what-experts-cant-tell-us