Students, Bible and the Environment

Over the years, students across the nation have played a pivotal role in nation-building. They have graduated into leaders, impact-makers, and have strived for excellence in their respective fields. It may sound like a fantasy, but it’s true—our nation wouldn’t have grown so rapidly if students hadn’t matured into individuals of influence. Along the way, we have also impacted the environment—sometimes positively and, at other times, negatively. We’ve cleaned city streets and installed dustbins on college campuses, yet we’ve also wasted electricity and paper on a large scale. Haven’t we?

The Bible’s very first mandate to humankind was to act as caretakers of the created world (Genesis 1:28). God granted us the power to rule over and subdue the environment, which can be understood as the sum total of the created world entrusted to us. However, with this great power came great responsibility (Luke 12:48—yes, even Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben echoed this truth!). Unfortunately, human pride and greed distorted this relationship, transforming it from one of care to one of exploitation. We sought resources, grabbed them, and moved on, ignoring the consequences.

Acts of injustice cannot remain hidden for long. God has a mysterious yet incredible way of exposing our false righteousness. In the Old Testament, He used prophets to confront societal sin. Today, His creation itself testifies against our misuse of environmental resources. The world is beginning to acknowledge the damage we have caused to the environment. But what about us? Have we truly been mindful of this aspect of God’s kingdom?

The answer is a mix of yes and no. Growing up as a student, I witnessed examples from both sides. I’ve travelled with students who picked up litter left by their friends, but I’ve also seen countless sheets of paper strewn around college campuses after events—printed, used, forgotten, and discarded. This article aims to highlight practices we’ve done well and identify areas where we need to improve.

As a student in Kolkata, I noticed we were taught to conserve water and electricity. We ensured lights and fans were switched off when not in use—a habit we need to continue. Cleaning up after events was another practice instilled in us by our seniors, which I hope continues as a legacy. Some teachers and students went a step further, collecting badge holders and other reusable materials after programmes to avoid wastage. One mentor of mine carries a bag on train journeys to collect not only his own garbage but also that of others, creating awareness and reducing waste on railway tracks.

One particularly inspiring initiative was the use of recycled decorations. During a Christmas programme, students in Kolkata creatively reused old boxes and bottles to craft beautiful decor. These decorations were even reused at other events. I’ve also seen students in Shillong make paper bags from old newspapers—a creative and eco-friendly alternative.

However, not everything has been rosy. I’ve seen hostel rooms left with fans and lights running unnecessarily. While we are mindful of electricity use at home, we often neglect this in public spaces like classrooms, hostels, and libraries. Another issue is the overuse of printed materials—flyers, programme orders, and song sheets are often used once and discarded. While some printing is necessary, we should reflect on its necessity and reduce it wherever possible. Did you know that paper accounts for 25% of landfill waste and 33% of municipal waste?

The modern-day "use and throw" culture is another significant challenge. It’s easy to buy and discard products, but do we truly need so much? Every item we own contributes to our carbon footprint in some way. By reducing, reusing, and recycling, we can make a meaningful difference. Let’s not be quick to discard things—consider giving them away instead.

When was the last time you paused to enjoy God’s creation? In our fast-paced lives, we often overlook the beauty of the natural world. While many of us enjoy nature during vacations, we neglect the parks and green spaces in our cities. We’re becoming increasingly disconnected from the environment we inhabit. I hope we can spend more time outdoors, appreciating and caring for God’s creation.

What’s the point of raising leaders involved in nation-building if they fail to care for God’s creation? The demands of modern life may push us towards work-centric lifestyles, but they do not excuse environmental neglect. We must continue good practices and improve in areas where we fall short. Every action we take impacts the environment, whether in private or public life. Let’s reflect on our habits and commit to reducing, reusing, and recycling. It may seem like a small step, but it makes a meaningful impact on God’s creation.

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Shashank S. Rawat hails from the city of Joy and works with the Union of Evangelical Students of India.