This article from the May, 2011 issue of National Geographic highlights both the costs of global warming for the world's most vulnerable populations as well as the profound hope that is found in human ingenuity - not just in our idolized technological advances but in 'low-tech/high-touch' solutions.
"More than a third of the world's people live within 62 miles of a shoreline. " This includes cities such as Miami and New York - but the article points out that the people most threatened by the rising sea level will be those in developing countries, especially Asia. The two cities which will be hardest hit proportionally by 2070 will be Dhaka and Chittagong, both of which are in Bangladesh. With the sea level predicted to rise by several feet in the next one hundred years, both of those cities may very well be underwater - and with a very large percentage of their population impoverished, as well the obstacle of an already overcrowded landmass, the effects could be devastating.
Of course, the people of Bangladesh don't have to wait 60 years to see the effects of global warming - they're living with them already. With sea levels already rising, changes in "salinity" in their aquifers, flooding rivers delivering unprecedented damage, more frequent and intense cyclones, Bangladesh has had to become a model for adaptability in the face of climate change. And a poster child for both the disproportionate effects of climate change on impoverished people (the part of the world's population that has least contributed to the causes of said climate change) and for the resilience of hope even in desperate conditions.
In this project, I hope to explore both the effects of our irresponsible treatment of the earth as well as some of the possible solutions for both prevention of future, even more devastating, effects and for adapting to those that will come no matter what we do - all from the perspective of the people of Bangladesh. At the same time, I would like to put these explorations into conversation with medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas' theology of Creation. In what ways does Aquinas speak to, warn of, and even set the foundation for our current treatment of creation? Are there things to be learned from his view of God and Creation, are there aspects to be argued with - or should the entirety of his theology be tossed out - baby and bathwater alike?
While I'm not likely to find answers to all (or even most) of my questions, I hope that it will make for an interesting journey. Or at least a passing grade ; )
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