Reflection - Sustainable Development
- John Scoble
- Mar 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 19
The aim of this reflection is to encourage you to think systemically about humanity’s impact on the planet and how you can influence this. I will use an example, sustainable fishing, to illustrate human impact and then propose questions for reflection.
Over the past century, human activities have significantly accelerated species extinction rates. This is often referred to as the ongoing sixth mass extinction. The loss of biodiversity poses significant threats to ecosystems and human societies, affecting services like food security, health, and climate regulation. There are approximately 242,000 known and described marine species. Many marine species remain undiscovered, and ongoing research continues to expand our understanding of marine biodiversity.
In 2021, Netflix released a film about ocean degradation called " Seaspiracy." See Wikipedia entry It highlights the impact of human activities such as overfishing, pollution, and climate change on marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on how these activities threaten ocean biodiversity. It highlights the practice of bottom scraping, or bottom trawling, a highly destructive fishing method in which fishing trawlers drag heavy nets along the ocean floor to catch fish and other marine life.
Two of its many harmful impacts are:
Habitat Destruction: significant damage to marine ecosystems, especially to coral reefs, seagrass beds, and other delicate structures that are crucial for marine life. It creates seabed “deserts”.
Bycatch: Bottom trawling is notorious for catching non-target species, including endangered species, juvenile fish, and marine mammals, which are often discarded back into the ocean, dead or severely injured, disrupting biodiversity and ecosystem balance.
In stark contrast, the Noonuccal people (Quandamooka Nation) of Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah) in Queensland, have practiced seasonal hunting to ensure that dugongs were not hunted during their reproductive season. By understanding the breeding patterns of dugongs, they could adjust hunting practices to avoid taking pregnant females or newborns, helping to ensure that the population remains sustainable. This is only one example of sustainable practices used by indigenous peoples across the globe.
Australia has established a comprehensive network of marine protected areas (MPAs) to safeguard its diverse marine ecosystems. Often called "fishing sanctuaries", they can vary in meaning and effectiveness. Some MPAs allow certain types of fishing, while others are designated as "no-take" zones, prohibiting all extractive activities. The effectiveness of these protected areas in conserving marine biodiversity depends on their management and the level of protection they offer.
Why is this important from a spirituality perspective? That depends on your worldview and your level of consciousness. Eco-theologians like Thomas Berry, Elizabeth Johnson and Pope Francis encourage us to view all creation as having equal value In God’s eyes and therefore worthy of protection now, and for future generations.
What can the individual do? It is easy to sit back and think “this is too big an issue for me and only governments can take action”. But individuals can vote, agitate, educate, raise the awareness of friends and family and so on. I am reminded of the story about a young boy who is walking along a beach where thousands of starfish have been washed ashore. As he walks, he picks up one starfish at a time and throws it back into the ocean. An older man, seeing this, approaches the boy and asks why he's bothering, since there are so many starfish on the beach that it would be impossible to save them all. The boy replies, while holding up a starfish, "I made a difference to this one," and throws it back into the sea.
This reflection is not just about sustainable fishing – it is about sustainable development in all fields of endeavour.
Non-renewable energy, rainforest land clearing, supermarket pricing, indigenous disadvantage and asylum seeker detention are other examples of systemic problems.
What systemic problems are you conscious of?
What can you do about them?
How can you personally contribute to climate sustainability?
How can you influence decision makers?
As you reflect, use the Clean Up Australia campaign as your inspiration.
FAQs: Reflection - Sustainable Development
What is the relationship between spirituality and sustainable development?
Spirituality and sustainable development are deeply linked. Research shows that sustainable development programmes designed with spiritual values – care, meaning, connectedness – tend to be more effective, equitable and lasting. In Pacific Island countries, for example, faith-informed worldviews helped NGOs align aid with community beliefs and improve outcomes. (Source: Spirituality and Sustainable Development: A Systematic Word Frequency Analysis, 2023)
Why is sustainable development under-researched in relation to spiritual practices?
Many sustainable development projects focus on technical, economic or social measures. But studies find that spiritual aspects – belief, values, rituals – are often neglected in planning and reporting. In the study of NGOs in Australia and the Pacific, over 70 % of respondents said that the spiritual dimension is under-represented in program design and evaluation. (Source: same analysis, 2023)
How can faith communities contribute to sustainable development?
Faith communities bring meaning, ritual, ethics and moral vision. They can help local people see sustainability not just as duty but as sacred responsibility. For example, churches or spiritual groups can promote environmental stewardship, encourage simplicity, support ecosystems restoration, or host educational programs that combine faith and ecology. When spiritual values are woven into daily life, behaviour changes tend to stick longer. (Source: Linking sustainability and spirituality: preliminary assessment, 2022)
What challenges do organisations face when integrating spirituality into sustainable development work?
Some common hurdles are definitional clarity, training, and cultural sensitivity. Many workers report that they are unsure how to include spiritual values without alienating secular stakeholders. There is also lack of training for staff on spiritual dimensions, and limited literature or case studies to draw from. These create barriers in designing sustainable programs that honour both ecological needs and spiritual beliefs. (Source: same studies)
How does integrating spiritual values improve outcomes in sustainability initiatives?
Integrating spiritual values often boosts community engagement, ethical commitment, and long-term resilience. In multiple studies, programs that incorporate spiritual practices show stronger social support, greater environmental awareness, and more ethical decision-making. For instance, NGOs recognized that when recipients’ spiritual worldviews were respected, trust grew and uptake of sustainable behaviours rose significantly. (Source: Spirituality and Sustainable Development, 2023)
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About the Author - John Scoble
John's journey began in the heart of a traditional Roman Catholic family in Sydney, where he was raised with steadfast faith and reverence. Now residing in the serene surroundings of St Lucia, Brisbane, alongside his beloved wife, John finds solace and inspiration in the tranquil rhythms of life. With four adult children and a cherished grandchild also calling Brisbane home, John's family is his anchor, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.
While spirituality has always been a cornerstone of his life, it was three transformative events in 2012, including a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, that ignited a profound shift in John's spiritual trajectory. Embracing retirement as an opportunity for deeper exploration, John immersed himself in extensive reading and soulful reflection.
Over the course of a decade, this journey of self-discovery has led John to reevaluate and transcend many of his traditional beliefs, embracing instead the timeless wisdom and cosmic perspective inherent in Christianity. Influenced by luminaries such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Rohr, John's spiritual evolution has been marked by a deepening resonance with the essential truths of his faith and a profound connection to the divine unfolding within and around him.
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