Your Opinion: The Sunday that changed my life

Dear Editor:

You may think I found religion. That is a good guess, but I have been Catholic all my life. Instead, I attended a program where I learned every major world religion teaches us to care for the earth and all creation. The spirituality of Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Confucians and Native Americans have one thing in common: they all tell us to be good stewards of the earth and its resources. Native American tradition teaches using the earth's bounty wisely so it will last for seven generations. If we use our gifts wisely, our children and theirs will have what they need to be happy and healthy.

Unfortunately, we do not care for creation as we are called to do. Burning fossil fuels is the main reason the last three years have been the hottest ever worldwide. Glaciers are melting at an alarming rate, causing oceans to rise. We hear about polar bears' plight, but changing climate and habitat loss threaten wildlife around the world. You might not think it is significant that a rare frog ceases to exist, but what if that rare frog held the cure to cancer? We would have missed a chance to find a cure.

We can ensure a much brighter future if we follow what all religions teach and care for the environment. Energy from wind and sun do not pollute our air and water, nor do they heat up the atmosphere. We do not own the land; we are stewards of it for our children. So let's care for the earth and its creatures by keeping the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Water Act and the Environmental Protection Agency intact.

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