Some of them are naturally occurring chemicals, but are being released in unprecedented quantities. For example, in the Exxon Valdez oil spill, nearly 11 million gallons of oil were spilled into the waters of Prince William Sound. Many other chemicals are synthetic, never having existed naturally on this planet. These chemicals are causing myriad problems in the environment. There has been an increasing awareness and understanding on the part of scientists of the kinds of damages that man is inflicting on the environment in recent years.
Most scientists now believe that the situation is becoming critical.
In recent years, ethicists and theologians have also become increasingly involved in a dialog on our obligations for taking care of the environment. Many people feel that the Bible has little to say on this subject. Others feel that the Bible is replete with insight on the stewardship of creation. Over the last few decades, many Christians have looked askance at the environmental movement. Because Earth Day and other environmental activities arose during the sixties, a period when many of society's conventions were challenged, many have come to the conclusion that these movements are anti-Christian in nature.