Resilience of Planet Earth:

A call for degrowth and rewilding

Abstract

This paper examines the urgent need to restore Earth’s resilience through integrated strategies of degrowth, rewilding, and a renewed ethical framework grounded in faith-based values. It critiques the dominant growth paradigm and advocates for a shift towards sustainable living that respects ecological limits and promotes biodiversity. Drawing on theological, ecological, and economic insights, the study emphasises the role of faith communities in fostering a culture of care and responsibility. It concludes that only through systemic transformation and a collective reorientation of values can humanity avert ecological collapse and ensure a flourishing future for all life on Earth.
Emphasis is placed on the growing concern regarding Earth’s resilience over the past century. It explores the necessity for degrowth, rewilding, and a new ethic to restore Earth’s biodiversity. The study highlights the role of faith-based organisations and the significance of a shift in cultural norms and values to tackle the ecological crisis. By advocating for degrowth, the paper challenges the conventional growth paradigm and promotes a vision of a sustainable future where human activities are harmonised with the natural world. Rewilding serves as a crucial strategy for restoring ecosystems and enhancing biodiversity, thereby strengthening the planet’s capacity to withstand and recover from environmental shocks. The research underscores the interconnectedness of ecological and social systems, emphasising that true resilience can only be attained through holistic approaches that integrate environmental, economic, and social dimensions. As explored later, faith-based organisations play a pivotal role in mobilising communities and fostering a collective ethic of care for the Earth.
This study hypothesises that combining degrowth, rewilding, and a new ethic rooted in faith-based principles can effectively address the ecological crisis and restore the Earth’s biodiversity.