Lesson video

Hello, my name's Mrs. Rawbone, and I'd like to welcome you to this lesson on Dominion, stewardship, and environmental responsibility.

In today's lesson, you'll be able to explain views on the value of the world, including Christian and non-religious perspectives on dominion and stewardship.

Some keywords that we're going to be using today are commodity, dominion, pollution, resources, as in, natural, and stewardship.

Now, commodity is something that can be used for personal gain.

Dominion is the belief that humans have been given control or charge of the world.

Pollution is the contamination of an environment with harmful substances.

Resources are those found in nature, fossil fuels, for example, coal, oil, natural gas, plants, et cetera.

And stewardship is the duty given by God to humankind to look after the created world, and all life within it.

Today's lesson will take two parts.

We'll be looking at the Earth as a commodity, and we'll be looking at beliefs about the value of the world.

So, let's start by looking at the Earth as a commodity.

Jacob and Sofia's teacher has asked them to discuss what people mean when they say the Earth is a commodity.

"What does it mean to use the Earth as a commodity?" Jacob says, "It means using the Earth and its resources up." Sofia replies, "So that includes cutting down forests for wood or land, without thinking about how they help the environment?" Jacob replies, "Yes, and pollution is another example.

Factories and cars dump harmful chemicals into the air, water, and land" And Sofia responds, "And resources like oil and water are being used up faster than they can be replaced, as if they'll never run out." One issue facing the natural world is the use of natural resources, and here we can see a photograph showing some deforestation.

What is happening? Well, non-renewable resources like water, fossil fuels, and forests are being used faster than they can be replaced.

Why is it a problem? Well, it harms biodiversity, it depletes resources.

it creates unfairness between countries, and it contributes to climate change.

Another issue facing the natural world is pollution.

So what is happening? Well, harmful substances are released into the environment, and these include chemicals, waste, or noise.

Why is it a problem? Well, it harms human health, it disrupts ecosystems, and it contributes to global warming.

A further issue facing the natural world is global warming.

What's happening here? Well, greenhouse gases are being released into the atmosphere at a faster rate than they can be absorbed, causing the Earth's temperature to rise.

Why is this a problem? It leads to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, habitat loss, threats to food and water supplies, and worsens inequalities between countries.

Let's check your understanding.

What is meant by commodity? Take a moment, think about your answer, write your definition down, and then come back when you're ready to check.

You could have said: Something that can be used for personal gain.

Well done if you've got across the idea that it's something that you are using for your own benefits.

Sofia and Laura are discussing how we should treat the Earth.

Sofia says, "We all share this planet, and our actions affect people everywhere.

Treating the Earth like it's only there for us, ignores the impact on others and on the future." Laura replies, "If we keep using resources without thinking, they'll run out and there won't be enough for the future.

Protecting the Earth matters more than just taking from it." When Sofia says, "We all share this planet, and our actions affect people everywhere.

Treating the Earth like it's only there for us, ignores the impact on others and on the future," she's talking about global citizenship, which means seeing yourself as part of a worldwide community and taking responsibility for how your actions affect others and the planet.

What is global citizenship? Take a moment to jot down your answer, pause the video and come back when you're ready to check.

Global citizenship is the understanding that our actions impact everyone and the responsibility to care for the planet and future generations.

So well done if you mentioned the impact of our actions, and also the responsibility that comes with belonging to the planet.

When Laura says, "If we keep using resources without thinking, they'll run out and there won't be enough for the future.

Protecting the Earth matters more than just taking from it," she's talking about sustainability, which means using resources wisely so future generations can meet their needs.

It's part of global citizenship, taking responsibility for the planet to benefit everyone.

Which of the following is an example of sustainability? Is it A, using fossil fuels for energy without considering future impact, B.

Planting trees to replace those that were cut down, C, overfishing oceans to meet current demand, or D, wasting food by throwing away large amounts? Have a think carefully about which of them is an example of sustainability, pause the video, come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put planting trees to replace those that were cut down, that's just one example of a way of using the Earth in a sustainable fashion.

There are arguments in support of different points of view on the statement "the Earth is a commodity." Support or arguments for, would be arguing that, "The Earth is a resource which we can all use for our benefit." Using resources can drive business and boost economies.

Access to resources can enhance living standards.

So there are definitely benefits of seeing the Earth as a commodity.

On the other hand, a different view, an argument against, would be that, "The Earth is a shared home which should be protected." So overuse of resources can lead to pollution and to climate change, and it can also lead to inequality as richer countries exploit more of the Earth's resources, and that means that some people end up with less.

Sam and Lucas are discussing this statement, "The Earth is a commodity." Sam says, "The Earth exists to benefit humans, and we have the right to use its resources as commodities for our development and progress." Lucas says, "The earth is a shared system with intrinsic value, and humans have a responsibility to protect it, not just exploit it." Does your view align with either of theirs? If you're able to turn and talk to someone nearby, please do, pause the video, and come back when you're ready to rejoin.

What has influenced your view on this? Continue your discussion if you can with someone nearby, or you can talk to me, pause the video, and come back when you are ready to rejoin.

For Part 1 of Task A, the Earth as a commodity, I'd like you to complete the table below and set out the positives and negatives of treating Earth as a commodity.

We have some keywords that you can use, climate change, economies, exploit, inequality, living standards, pollution,, and use of natural resources.

So take some time to think about how you can draw out the positives and negatives of using the Earth in this way.

Pause the video and come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said for the positives: It leads to business growth and boosts economies.

It improves living standards by providing access to goods and services.

It encourages new ideas and technology.

For the negatives you could have said: It leads to pollution and environmental damage.

The overuse of natural resources can lead to climate change, and exploiting resources harms poorer countries and leads to inequality.

Well done if you manage to include any of those points.

For Part 2 of this task, I'd like you to decide whether the positives or negatives matter most when you are thinking about whether to treat the Earth as a commodity, so this is your chance to work out your thinking on this.

First of all, you're going to choose the strongest positive or negative, and use it as an argument to support the statement, "The Earth is a commodity," or to support a different point of view.

Then, I'd like you to explain why this is a strong argument.

Here are some suggested sentence starters that you could use.

One argument is.

So that will be your opener, and then you could follow it with, this argument is strong because.

This is compelling because.

The argument is powerful as it.

Or, this argument is convincing because.

So take your time to think about which argument you're going to choose, whether it's a positive or a negative, and then how you are going to emphasise the importance of that argument, and why it is a strong one.

Pause the video, and come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

Let's have a look at what you could have said.

You could have said: An argument against treating the Earth as a commodity is that exploiting resources harms poorer countries and leads to inequality.

And for Part B of the task you could have said: This argument is convincing because it shows how richer countries often take more resources, leaving poorer countries vulnerable and disadvantaged.

Now your answer might look very different from mine because it depends on which argument you chose to write about, but have a look at this example, and see if you have managed to explain why the argument is convincing or strong.

Well done if you have been able to do that.

For the second part of our lesson, we're going to be looking at beliefs about the value of the world.

Christians try to answer questions such as, "Is the earth ours to use as we see fit?" By consulting sources of authority such as: The Bible and church teachings.

They might also use their conscience and reason, which they see as God-given gifts, to work out what they should do.

They might interpret the sources differently, or they might emphasise one more than another.

Let's have a look at Bible teachings on the value of the universe.

Genesis 1:28 says, "God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

'" So this suggests that God has given humanity authority over creation.

It could be seen as permission to use the Earth's resources as a commodity, which would be dominion, or it could be seen as a call to care for and protect creation, which is known as stewardship.

"God saw that it was good." Now, this phrase is repeated throughout the creation story.

In Genesis 1:31, it actually concludes the story with, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." So if God sees creation as good, it means that everything has value and purpose.

This suggests creation has worth not because it's a commodity, but because God made it with care.

"You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet." This is from Psalm 8:6.

This confirms that God has given humanity authority over creation.

We're going to check out understanding again.

So is this statement True or False? The Bible says that humans are rulers over the Earth.

Take a moment to think about the answer, but also to think about why you have come to that answer, pause the video, and come back when you're ready to check your work.

Well done if you put True.

Now, why is it True? Well, the Bible says that humans are rulers over the Earth, as stated in Psalm 8:6, "You made them rulers over the works of your hands." Genesis 1:28 gives humans authority over creation.

"God blessed them and said to them, 'Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.

'" Most Christians understand this as meaning that humanity has a duty of stewardship, which is the call to care for and protect creation.

Now, some Christians understand this as meaning humanity has dominion, permission to use the Earth's resources as a commodity.

The Christian Declaration on Nature, Assisi 1986, was part of an interfaith initiative led by the Worldwide Fund for Nature to highlight religious responsibility for environmental care.

The Assisi Declarations on Nature said that, "Nature is God's creation and human must care for it.

That stewardship means responsible care, that greed and consumerism damage creation, and that environmental damage affects the most vulnerable." Most Christian denominations agree on the value of creation and the importance of stewardship, which is caring for creation.

Evangelical Christianity teaches that stewardship is key to Christianity in the Evangelical Declaration on the Care of Creation.

Roman Catholic teaching is that stewardship is caring for God's gift of creation, and this is found in Laudato Si.

Orthodox Christianity teaches stewardship is a sacred responsibility, found in Environment and the Orthodox Church.

And the Anglican church teaches stewardship on behalf of future generations, from the Anglican Communion, The Five Marks of Mission.

Let's check your understanding, what is stewardship? Is it A, the belief that humans have power over the Earth, B, the God-given duty to humankind to look after the created world and all life within it, C, the belief that humans have the right to use the Earth however they wish, or D, the belief that the Earth has no value beyond human use? Take a moment to think about your answer, pause the video, and come back when you're ready to check.

Well done if you put, B, the God-given duty to humankind to look after the created world and all life within it.

Tia attends a Methodist Church, and she's been asked about her views on global citizenship and sustainability.

She says, "Global citizenship and stewardship go hand in hand, as the teaching, 'fill the Earth and subdue it', shows that we have a duty to protect the Earth.

I reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible, and I also support eco-friendly companies.

My church is working with the Christian charity, 'A Rocha,' and, as an eco church, we are cutting our energy use and supporting biodiversity.

I believe treating the Earth as a commodity goes against our role as stewards." Why doesn't Tia treat the Earth as a commodity? Pause the video, have a reread of what she said, and then come back when you're ready to move on.

It's because she believes it goes against stewardship.

What is 'A Rocha'? Is it A, a Christian charity focused on protecting biodiversity and the environment, is it B, a political movement aimed at reducing pollution in urban areas, is it C, a business that promotes eco-friendly products and services, or is it D, a government organisation dedicated to managing national parks? Take a moment to think about your answer, pause the video, come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you put A, a Christian charity focused on protecting biodiversity and the environment.

Danielle is a Roman Catholic.

She has been asked about her views on global citizenship and sustainability.

She says, "Creation reflects God's goodness, and we are its stewards.

As global citizens, we should think about the poor and vulnerable who are most affected by environmental damage.

Caring for the environment is a way of putting Jesus' teaching to 'Love your neighbour' into to practise.

I reduce waste, recycle, conserve energy, and support environmental initiatives to protect the Earth.

Doing this is our duty as stewards of creation." Why does Danielle think caring for the Earth means caring for people too? This is a really important connection for many Christians, so pause the video, have a reread of what she said, and then come back when you're ready to see the reason.

It is because in her view, caring for the Earth shows love for the poor who are most affected by environmental damage.

Rachel is a Plymouth Brethren, and she's been asked about her views on global citizenship and sustainability.

Rachel says, "I see the Earth as a gift from God, not a commodity to exploit.

We should be mindful of how we use natural resources and avoid polluting the environment, as this reflects our respect for God's creation.

In my daily life, I try to live sustainably by tending for my vegetable garden, but my faith comes first.

Any efforts to reduce pollution or consumption are done to honour God, balancing respect for creation with my spiritual growth." So why isn't living sustainably Rachel's top priority? Pause the video, have a look at what she said again, and then come back when you're ready.

So well done if you notice that she thinks spiritual matters are more important.

Diane is a humanist, and she's been asked about her views on global citizenship and sustainability.

Diane says, "I believe we must care for the Earth as we are global citizens and treating it as a commodity harms the environment and vulnerable communities.

As a member of Humanist Climate Action, I advocate for policies that reduce pollution, promote renewable energy, and encourage sustainability.

I reduce my carbon footprint, support ethical businesses, and push for change.

Sustainability ensures future generations can thrive." How does Diane show she's a global citizenship? Pause the video, have a look at what she said again, and then come back when you are ready.

Well done if you noticed that she tries to live more sustainably, and that she's a member of Humanist Climate Action.

So what do Christians and humanists agree on in regard to the value of the world? Is it A, they believe the Earth is a gift from God, B, they believe they have dominion over the Earth, C, they believe God has given them stewardship over creation, or D, they believe we should be careful about how we use the Earth's resources? Look carefully at the question, look carefully at the options, pause the video to make a note of your answer, and then come back when you're ready to check.

So well done if you noticed it was D, because this one is something they can agree on, that we should be careful about how we use the Earth, they would not agree that God has given us that power.

For our practise task, for Beliefs about the value of the world, Sam is explaining part of what she might write in answer to the question, "Describe why religious believers consider it important to care for the Earth." She has made some mistakes and I would like you to rewrite her explanation so that it is correct.

Sam has written, "Most Christians consider it important to care for the Earth because Genesis 1:28 gives humans dominion, which means we can take whatever we want for ourselves.

We don't need to worry about the Earth's well-being because it was made for our benefit and God's declaration that creation is good, doesn't require us to protect it or consider the needs of other living things." So pause the video, take your time to reread Sam's answer and to rewrite it with corrections, so make it accurate.

Come back when you're ready to see what you could have written.

You could have said: "Most Christians would disagree with the statement because Genesis 1:28 gives humans stewardship over the Earth.

This means they have a responsibility to care for the Earth and protect it, rather than a licence to use it however we please.

They would say that because God said creation was good, humans should look after the Earth and make decisions that reflect a care for the well-being of the Earth and all its creatures.

So well done if you notice that Sam's main mistake was to emphasise dominion, whereas for most Christians, they emphasise stewardship.

In today's lesson, we have learned that global citizenship involves taking responsibility for the planet and ensuring its sustainability, that most Christians support stewardship, while some fundamentalists prioritise spiritual work over environmental issues.

That Genesis 1:28 is mainly seen as a call to stewardship, but some interpret it as granting dominion, that pollution, resource depletion, and global warming contribute to global inequality and result from treating the Earth as a commodity, and the actions to reduced environmental impact include reducing waste, using renewable energy, and supporting eco-friendly companies.

Thank you so much for your hard work today, well done for all of your efforts!.