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Principles of a Water Ethic
The six presenters at the workshop began the process of social analysis and spiritual reflection as recorded in the previous articles in this magazine. Workshop participants considered these lessons, and began their own directed reflection towards a new social vision. This was crystallized as: "We dream of a viable, sustainable future in a nation, a continent, and a world of economic stability, ecological integrity, and local, regional, and national sustainability; a place where all people are treated justly. Although this dream may not be immediately practicable, it is something we can build toward."
The following principles developed by workshop participants present a crossing over from spiritual reflection, based on Catholic social teaching, to a social vision based on a Christian water ethic.
Human dignity: Each person is made in the image of God. This commands a consistent respect for human life and all creation.
• Access to water and sanitation are basic human rights.
• All people should have sufficient, quality water.
• The dignity of humans should be the priority when distributing water. Water should not be used as a tool of oppression.
Preferential option for the poor: A fundamental question for Christians is, how do human actions affect the most vulnerable among us?
• Small farms and ranches should have access to affordable water.
• Openness, transparency, and strong public regulatory oversight are fundamental requirements when public responsibility for providing quality water is shifted to private entities.
Common good: Each person should act on behalf of the good of all. This sets the direction for progress and the limits of material growth.
• Water should be held in the public domain, as a common good.
• Nations should not go to war over water. Political boundaries should not hinder access to water.
• Care for water should be a priority in federal, state, and municipal government budgets.
• Water resource management should be based on the perception of water as an integral part of the ecosystem, a natural resource, and a social and economic good.
Solidarity: Everyone is called by God to self-transcending love. We affirm the ethical significance of global interdependence and the common good.
• People should work together in the design, planning, provision and monitoring of water and sanitation services.
• People should be educated to understand the sacredness of water.
• People should not take water for granted.
Stewardship of creation: The created order is one whole, and each being has its own worth. This inspires a God-centered and sacramental view of the universe.
• Science and technology should be applied to help assure water supplies that are clean, safe, and abundant.
• People should be good stewards of this sacred trust. Surface water ecosystems and groundwater resources should be re-established and maintained, and pollution prevented.
• The impacts of climate change on water supply and distribution should be studied and heeded.
Universal destination of goods: Private ownership has a social mortgage. This demands fair and equitable use of the earth’s resources.
• Nonproductive consumptive use of water should be minimized.
• Livestock should not be concentrated in large numbers.
• Water-use productivity should be continually improved.
• Bottled water should not be sold as a commodity unless locally needed because of short-term contamination.
Subsidiarity: No higher power should deny lower levels freedom to self-governance. This ethic promotes cooperation and sharing in the world community.
• All parties affected by water management decisions should be involved in the decision-making process.
• People should accept responsibility for care of water and understand the connection between environment and human rights and the physical, cultural, and spiritual needs of people for the future.
• Landscaping of homes and recreational areas should use native plants and plants with minimal water requirements.
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