Noted academician urges students to reduce waste, avoid excessive consumerism

Environmental spirituality is about experiencing the divine through nature and recognising the intrinsic value of the environment, said S. Ignacimuthu, rector of St. Xavier’s College, Palayamkottai, and a noted academician.

Delivering the Father Gordon Endowment Lecture on the theme ‘Environmental Spirituality’ at Andhra Loyola College in Vijayawada on Monday (April 06), Mr. Ignacimuthu, an internationally acclaimed scientist with over 850 research publications, said the current environmental crisis is largely a result of human behaviour.

He explained that all forms of life are interconnected in a ‘web of life,’ and any damage to the environment ultimately affects human existence. Stressing the spiritual dimension, he noted that all major religions regard nature as sacred and view the environment as a medium through which the divine is experienced.

Mr. Ignacimuthu called for a change in lifestyle, urging individuals to reduce waste, avoid excessive consumerism, and adopt eco-friendly practices. He cautioned that a life driven solely by materialism leads to environmental degradation, as well as physical and psychological imbalance.

The programme, held in memory of Douglas Gordon, a distinguished educationist remembered for his commitment to value-based education and social responsibility, concluded with a message that caring for the environment not only ensures sustainability but also brings inner peace and a deeper connection with the divine.