The ecological crisis is becoming more and more evident. Air pollution, deforestation, severe droughts, floods, and the extinction of endemic species are clear evidence of severe environmental damage. We live in an era known as the Capitalocene, a term coined by James Moore to describe the era of extractive capitalism in which nature is viewed as an unlimited resource. In this era, the environment is the victim of human desire to accumulate unlimited profits, thus creating increasingly sharp ecological and social inequalities. On the other hand, the development of artificial intelligence (AI) presents great opportunities, but also brings significant ecological challenges. According to a National Geographic report by Charley Locke, the energy and water consumption required to operate AI data centers is enormous. For example, technology companies in 2022 will use 34% more water than other sectors. As a result, a single question asked to an AI like ChatGPT requires the equivalent energy of turning on a 4-watt LED light for one hour. This raises the question, does this technological innovation contribute to sustainability or does it actually worsen the ecological crisis?
The ecological crisis in the Capitalocene era is inseparable from the social crisis. In Hariati Sinaga's view (2024), production that focuses on the accumulation of profit has shifted the values of sustainability and ecological justice. The main challenge is how we change the paradigm from mere sustainability to ecological justice that involves religious, social, economic, and political dimensions.
Psalm 104 provides a deep theological perspective on the relationship between humans and nature. In verses 1-9, God is described as the Creator who continues to care for His creation. Nature is not treated as an object to be exploited, but as an entity that has intrinsic value. The depiction of creation in this Psalm invites humans to reimagine an equal and interconnected relationship between humans and nature. Different from the narrative of Genesis 1-2 which arranges creation chronologically, Psalm 104 describes a dynamic and integrated creation process. Nature has a distinctive role, from the springs that flow in the valley to the clouds that become the tent of the sky. This perspective rejects the anthropocentric view that positions humans as the center of everything, and invites us to appreciate God's presence reflected in every aspect of creation.
Psalm 104 emphasizes the concept of environmental stewardship, in which humans are called to manage nature wisely and responsibly. The challenges in the Capitalocene era require cross-sector ecological solidarity. Intersectional responses from various disciplines—religious, social, political, and economic—are needed to create a balance between ecological sustainability and social justice.
How can our role as humans in the Capitalocene era reflect true ecological responsibility, so that every action we take is not only oriented towards profit, but also respects the intrinsic value of creation?
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