Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
Open Access

Abstract

In this conference, we seek to address the phenomenon of climate change and its repercussions from the field of anthropology, in order to propose a sustainability ethics that we believe to be decisive. For an extension of the general perspective on such a complex phenomenon, we think that the contribution of stratigraphic research should not be overlooked, as it observes, from a geological scope, the succession of variations in the climatic conditions that have taken place in our planet along its long history of 4.6 billion years. Both the stratigraphic and the fossil records provide evidence of major climatic changes taking place in our planet in the past. In the present change, an endogenous multifactorial causality seems to converge with specific anthropogenic factors. We therefore agree on the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs). Since some environmentalist views exclude the human being in their consideration of the ecosystem, and if anything they accommodate man in their approaches as a variable always distorting and deteriorating the environment, we believe that a fundamental rethinking of the question is needed from the perspective of an integral environmentalism. Our position does not exclude the human being from this multifactorial equation, but also considers man as the fundamental, modifiable variable in that process. We thus consider the environmental problem in the broader framework of integral ecology, where the human being takes a central place, understood as a free person and a moral subject, responsible for his actions and a key element in any consideration and review of the process. In this context, the concept of sustainability emerges as a key concept, a concept that must guide human action, and from which it is possible to appeal to the ethical and ecological responsibility of the human being. Man is called to do right in all orders. When he does not respect this orientation, so implicitly embedded in his own conscience, he becomes denatured and suffers the consequences in himself and in the environment where he lives. We believe that it is a priority to seek the foundations of the existence of God, analyzing the theistic theory, a foundation of sustainability for the good of man himself and the planet.

Biography

Jose Luis Sanchez Garcia is a Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Catholic University of Valencia St Vincent Martyr since 2004. He directs Fides et Ratio Chair and exercises the technical direction of the Chair of Theology of the Saint Thomas of Villanueva Charity. He is the Director of Socio-economic and Political Observatory of the Catholic University of Valencia. He has previously held other academic and executive positions at both the Catholic University and the University of Valencia. He is an Expert in Anthropology, Philosophy, Theology and Development of Human Capacities. He holds a Doctorate degree in Philosophy from the Pontifical Lateran University (Rome) and Philosophy and Education Sciences from the University of Valencia. He holds a degree in Theology from the Lateran University and in Philosophy and Letters from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. He is the Director of permanent work and research line "poverty, hunger in the world and emerging foods" which brings together more than 50 researchers.