It reflects the belief that humanity has an innate duty to care for the natural environment. This concept was highlighted in high-level dialogues, such as the "Faith and Science: Towards COP26" meeting at the Vatican , where religious leaders stressed that we are guardians of a planet with the moral obligation to cooperate for its preservation.
The phrase is a central tenet in modern environmental movements, particularly those with a spiritual or ethical foundation:
In academic and archival studies, such as those from the University of Turin , being a "custodian" implies a civil responsibility to ensure historical records and artistic heritage are passed down intact.