That was the theme of World Environment Day on June 5, organized by the United Nations to help people everywhere embrace the responsibility to care for the earth and act as agents of change. Churches of Scientology in cities around the world partnered with environmental organizations to host activities promoting the 2015 World Environment Day message: the well-being of humanity, economies and the environment ultimately depends on the responsible management of the planet’s natural resources. Human prosperity need not cost the earth.
At a forum hosted at the Church of Scientology in Los Angeles, the environmentally-minded learned that caring for the earth is not rocket science—but it sure does help. Dr. Joshua Fisher, a climate scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) gave a presentation on the connection between earth science and sustainability. NASA maintains a system of Earth observing satellites that collect data scientists use to gain a better understanding of the relationships between Earth’s different systems and how the planet functions as a whole.
The Scientology Ideal Organization in Tel Aviv hosted a panel discussion on raising awareness of sustainability issues in the local community. Participants included prominent Israeli educators, journalists and environmental activists. L. Ron Hubbard’s The Way to Happiness, which discusses the importance of working to safeguard the environment, was highlighted as a useful tool in outreach efforts around sustainability.
The Ideal Org in Mexico City showcased the work of painter William Vive, whose favorite subject is Mother Earth. At a reception, the artist spoke about his passion for sustainability issues and was joined by Teresa Garcia Piña, recreation chief of the Gustavo Madero district in Mexico City. Piña discussed The Way to Happiness campaigns her department carries out in local schools to teach kids the importance of taking care of the environment.
Environmental crimes and the role of special interests were the theme in Rome, where Athos De Luca, president of the city’s Commission for the Environment, was keynote speaker. De Luca shared some good news too, discussing projects he’s leading to reduce pollution, beautify public beaches and clean up the Tiber River, which runs through Italy’s capital city.
‘Waste’ was the word in the U.K., where a variety of presentations on the long-term environmental impacts of wastage were presented at a symposium hosted by the Scientology Ideal Org in London. Waste can be regarded as an entirely human problem, because in nature there is none: waste products created by natural processes and organisms quickly become the raw products used by other processes and organisms. The presence of waste is an indication of overconsumption, so solutions presented focused on bringing consumption patterns in line with what the planet can sustainably provide.
