THE GARDEN OF EDEN WITH THE NEW JERUSALEM AS MODEL FOR BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION: IMPLICATIONS FOR PUBLIC HEALTH IN AFRICA
Biodiversity, which refers to the variety and multiplicity of life forms in the universe, is often endangered by human industrial activities. The growth in human population, the advancement of scientific technology and industrial activities, unplanned urbanisation, resource wars, poverty, human migration, environmental refugeeism, deforestation, desertification, climate change, global warming, etc all bring about destruction of plants, animals, organisms and other life forms as they happen. Take, for instance, the issue of a warming climate. As the climate warms, some organisms cannot cope with the heat, and so they die out. The creation of more human habitation and industries means more natural places have to be cleared, and in the process, animals and birds have their habitation destroyed. This paper argues that the divine creator, by creating the Garden of Eden and even when Eden was lost, promising a new heaven and a new Jerusalem, has provided a model for all life that he created on earth should be conserved and managed. The paper also shows the implications of environmental conservation for public health and the entire biotic well-being. The paper uses critical biblical hermeneutics and analysis to examine the issues above. The paper discovers that biodiversity is facing destruction and extinction. The paper concludes that the conservation of biodiversity can help to promote public health and biotic well-being on earth.
Keywords: Africa, Biodiversity, Biotic, Conservation, Eden, Environment, Garden, Jerusalem, Health, Public, Well-being.