Building an economy and society that honours God’s Creation

By Dr Marlene Attzs, Economist.

Email: marlene.attzs@gmail.com

On Saturday, May 24, I had the opportunity to participate in the launch of the Franciscan Institute’s Reforestation and Livelihoods project.

This initiative, in commemoration of the 800th anniversary of the Canticle of St Francis and the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si’, started at Mt St Benedict with the planting of bougainvillea and involved a cross section of persons committed to the project including schools from the area, Sisters from the Franciscan Order, Abbot John Pereira OSB and pilgrims from the Mount and surrounding communities.

This reforestation project also is a powerful reminder that ecological restoration and economic empowerment can—and must—go hand in hand.

During the short programme at the start of the tree-planting ceremony, Psalm 104 was read. Psalm 104 is a poetic and awe-filled celebration of God as Creator and Sustainer of the natural world.

The psalmist paints a majestic picture of the universe: God stretches out from the heavens, forms the Earth’s foundations, provides water for the fields, and ensures that every creature —from birds to beasts—has food and shelter. The sea teems with life, the sun and moon move according to divine rhythm, and even the winds serve God’s purposes.

Through it all, the psalm emphasises God’s wisdom, order, and generosity in creation. It ends with a call for continued praise and a plea that creation may rejoice in its Maker—underscoring humanity’s responsibility to live in reverence and harmony with the natural world.

Pope Francis’ landmark encyclical Laudato Si’, subtitled ‘On Care for Our Common Home’, is not just a document for Catholics, but a global call to everyone to recognise that the Earth is our shared home and that it is in grave danger.

Drawing inspiration from St Francis of Assisi, Pope Francis reminded us that nature is not something separate from us. We are part of it. “Our very bodies,” he writes, “are made up of the earth’s elements, we breathe her air, and we receive life and refreshment from her waters.”

Climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss, and water scarcity are not just environmental issues—they are moral ones. When we poison the Earth, we are harming the poor, displacing families, destroying livelihoods, and robbing future generations of their inheritance.

Creation groans under the weight of human carelessness. Forests are being cut down, oceans are filling with plastic, air is thick with smog, and animal species vanish daily. What was created in beauty is now being disfigured in greed. As people of faith and conscience, we must ask: what kind of stewards have we been?

Psalm 104 speaks to the deep harmony in nature—a balance designed by God. But that harmony is being disturbed. Laudato Si’ calls this the “throwaway culture”—a mentality where everything, including people, is disposable. We buy, we use, we discard—without a second thought.

But there is hope. The same hands that damage can also heal. Around the world, individuals, businesses and even governments are beginning to realise that sustainability is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.

Solar energy, reforestation, clean water initiatives, and eco-friendly farming practices are all signs of a growing shift. Young people are especially taking the lead. They understand that the time to act is now.

This is the essence of sustainable development—building economies and communities that meet today’s needs without compromising the needs of tomorrow. It means using resources wisely, reducing waste, and ensuring that no one is left behind—especially the poor, the vulnerable, and those most affected by environmental degradation.

Laudato Si’ has challenged us to rethink our current economic models—those driven by unchecked consumption, fossil fuels, and short-term gain. Instead, it calls for an economy of care: one that respects planetary boundaries, values human dignity, and is rooted in justice. This is where faith and economic development intersect.

This is what real, rooted sustainable development looks like: creating green jobs, supporting ecological resilience, and nurturing a sense of purpose among youth. It echoes the Psalmist’s vision—one where every creature has a place, every life has dignity, and every act of care ripples through creation.

Sustainable development is not just about policy. When we truly see Earth as a gift—not a possession—we begin to treat it differently. We stop taking more than we need. We stop turning rivers into dumps and trees into profit margins. We start to live more simply, more consciously, and more compassionately.

In the Caribbean, we feel the effects of climate change intimately including stronger hurricanes, droughts, and coral bleaching. Our islands are on the front lines. We must shift from being masters of the Earth to being stewards.

Let us care for our common home, so that one day, when the next generation reads Psalm 104, they won’t have to imagine its beauty—they will be living in it, caring for it and prospering from it.

That’s my point of view!