From 31 October to13th November the COP26 summit will take place in Glasgow. World leaders will gather to accelerate the action towards the goals of the 2015 Paris agreement.
Excessive amounts of gases, such as carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane, are increasing in our atmosphere. This is causing a catastrophic greenhouse effect. It is heating up the earth at accelerating rates. These gases are mainly caused by the human activities of:
- Fossil fuel burning
- Animal livestock
- Agriculture
- Deforestation
- Waste and recycle pollution
Because of our lack of action, we need a miracle to stay below an average increase in temperature. 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. This is essential to reduce the most severe impacts of climate change. Already the average global level has increased 1.1°C. Between 2021 and 2030, global fossil fuel production needs to decrease year-on-year to limit global warming to 1.5°C. However, the UN Environment Programme has found governments’ plans and projections indicate an average of 2% annual increase for coal, oil and gas.
We are losing biodiversity in nature. The seas are becoming acidic because of their warming caused by extra carbon dioxide. Any loss in the animal kingdom causes a domino effect amongst other species including ourselves. I am sure you have seen reports of in recent David Attenborough TV programs. Furthermore, 400 billion tons of ice in the Arctic and Antarctic regions melts each year. More water adds to the oceans causing their levels to rise and slowing currents.
As you can see, we are not on a good path for continuing to sustain all aspects of life. This is consequently a growing poverty issue due to the climate crisis already wrecking the lives of millions of people. Those who did the least to cause the problem are the worst effected. The frequency of extreme weather conditions such as floods, droughts, cyclones, heatwaves and wildfires are increasing to unprecedented levels. People in poorer countries are particularly at least four times more likely to be affected by extreme weather conditions than those in rich countries.
We all have a part to play – and we must act now. Some actions most of us can participate in individually are:
- Walk, cycle and use public transport. Car share whenever possible. or switch to an electric car.
- Improve home insulation.
- Change your energy supplier to 100% renewable.
- Divest all savings and bank accounts from fossil fuels.
- Use energy efficient lightbulbs.
- Turn off electronics or lights when not using them.
- Eat less meat – or no meat at all.
- Eat more local and organic in-season foods.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle.
- Spread your knowledge and concerns of climate change.
Although we are the problem, we can also be part of the solution.
As Christians God calls us to be ‘good stewards’ of His creation. There is a helpful bible study available by Internationally renowned Christian climate scientist, Katharine Hayhoe. Find it on the Tearfund website (link below) to help us change our way of thinking about our relationship with the rest of creation.
Saltash Baptist is establishing a small ‘Creation Care’ team to assist us in becoming an Eco Church. We will be using the resources provided by Rocha UK to help us ‘go green’. By taking part in the challenge we demonstrate that we care for God’s earth. In the coming months there will be an increasing amount of references to this initiative in our worship services.
Useful links:
Eco Church
Tearfund
Green Christian
Christian Climate Action
“Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it.”
Genesis 2:15
“He who tends the fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who cares for his master will be honoured.”
Proverbs 27:18