What is biodiversity and why should Christians care about it?
The Anglican fifth mark of mission is: To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth. The integrity of creation is dependent on biodiversity – the extraordinary variety of plant and animal life in the world. However, biodiversity is under threat and so, therefore, is the integrity of creation. Our common home, God’s beautiful gift to all his creatures, is in urgent need of our prayer, action and love.
This visual guide to biodiversity was created by Elizabeth Perry for Christian Concern for One World, and has been adapted here for the Anglican Alliance. It offers food for thought and reflection…
Introduction and part 1: What is Biodiversity?
Part 2: Planet Earth, a place of astonishing variety
Part 3: We are utterly dependent on biodiversity
Part 4: Biodiversity in our faith heritage
Part 5: Biodiversity under threat
Part 5b: What’s driving biodiversity loss?
Part 6: What needs to be done, what is being done and causes for hope
- Prayers for the Earth based on the fifth mark of mission written by Anne Richards
- A Christian prayer in union with creation, from Laudato Si’, Pope Francis
Please let us know what you are doing to care for creation. Please share your stories with us so we can lift them up in the Anglican Communion.
Email us at: anglicanalliance.comms@aco.org