With raging bushfires creating devastation in so many parts of Australia and crucial water shortages caused by the long and extensive drought, it's probably a good moment to stop and take a look at what we know about caring for our environment.
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Pope Francis lead the way on this back in 2015 when he wrote and circulated his encyclical letter Laudate Si dealing with ecology and climate.
A sub-heading was "caring for our common home".
Like any treasured possession, the environment needs our constant thoughtful attention and respect.
At the moment, we have hundreds of valiant men and women tackling the fires - often at the risk of their own safety and well-being - in an effort to save lives, homes, properties and livestock as well as forests and bushland and native animals.
In spite of this tremendous effort, people have lost their lives, homes have been wiped out with all their contents and hopes and dreams have gone up in smoke.
If we are going to care for our common home, as Pope Francis describes it, we need to listen to the scientists and accept their evidence regarding a changing climate.
Without doubt, climate has a way of changing itself.
But we need to look at how much we contribute to this through carbon emissions, coal fire gas and the like. We live in the environment. We don't own it.
Lots of people have treasured possessions, and go to great lengths to ensure they are properly cared for and maintained.
Maybe it is a special car or motorbike, or even an aeroplane.
Timely and appropriate maintenance is essential for its ongoing well-being.
The same can be said for items of furniture in the home or some personal item of significance.
It doesn't take much thought to transfer this ideology to include our environment.
GOVERNMENT MUST LISTEN
If we ignore or neglect our treasured possessions, they will automatically decline in usefulness and value.
Unless we take steps to control what we are sending into our environment, then it cannot be unexpected that trouble will follow.
Such changes and programs, even if they call for dramatic alterations to what we are used to, are the only way we can go forward and prevent further devastation.
We need our government at all levels to listen carefully to the professional advice being offered.
And to take decisions based on knowledge, not simply on economy and financial outcomes.
It has been said that both the extended drought, and the horrifying bushfires are the worst in living memory.
As well as applauding and thanking all the firefighters - and the wonderfully generous people who are trying to assist at every level - we need to persuade our government to take all the necessary steps to ensure that human intervention is contributing to a cleaner and safer environment, rather than adding to the pollution that we have all helped to create.
Alongside this, of course, we need to ensure that financial assistance is granted to all the people suffering the consequences of the drought and the fires.
May God bless them all, and give them courage, strength and perseverance.
Sr Mary Trainor RSM
