Caring for the Waters of Life : Reflections from the Columbia River Basin
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article30490
- Author
- Beresford, Eric B. (Eric Brian), 1957-
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican World
- Date
- 2003 Trinity
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican World
- Date
- 2003 Trinity
- Issue
- 110
- Page
- 46-47
- Notes
- "Water is the cradle and source of life. Without it, biological life is, quite simply impossible". "Availability of water is a defining characteristic of any ecosystem, but in addition to this, the availability of water is one of the most severe limiting factors on the sustainability of our ecological practices". Water is becoming an increasingly scarce and desired commodity as agricultural practices have strained world resources. "Under the terms of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, water is a commodity, and water hungry nations of the global north have begun to look towards more water rich parts of the world as sources of water for bulk export. When water must be traded freely and at market rates under international trade agreements the result will be that water will go to those who have the greatest need, making an already difficult situation potentially catastrophic." The Columbia River System on the border between British Columbia and the Pacific northwest of the United States is one of the most heavily dammed rivers in the world. The result has been the devastation of salmon species, unable to swim upstream with the consequent loss of the commercial fishery and traditional way of life of indigenous peoples. The water system has also been polluted with agricultural and industrial run-offs. The author, an Anglican priest and the Anglican Communion Advisor on Ethics and Technology, feels that the issue of water and water conservation has not been adequately addressed by secular or religious society but notes that this is particularly surprising in that "water is not just a resource, it is a symbol. Water is a religious image that evokes and brings together many of the central themes that shape the Christian religious and moral imagination." "Water has a symbolic even an ethical significance that is quite extraordinary. Yet, water has rarely been the focus of sustained Christian environmental reflection. There [are] hopeful signs [however]. The Roman Catholic bishops of the Columbia River basin region published reflection and study materials on the situation there. Anglicans too need to be involved in their communities and in their region. What does it mean to us to be stewards of the waters of life ? How does this affect our attitudes to water, and to the need for water that all God's creatures share ?"
- Subjects
- Water - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Water-supply - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Ecology - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Ecology - Religious aspects - Christianity
- Dams - Religious aspects - Anglican Communion
- Location
- General Synod Archives