03/09/2023
Up the climate change creek without a paddle …?
Dear Friends,
Over recent months we have seen extreme weather events happening in different parts of the world. From dangerous heat – think of the wildfires in Southern Europe this summer - to drought (e.g. in the Horn of Africa) to flooding and heavy rainfall, there is growing evidence that human activity is raising the risk of some types of extreme weather.
The climate data-analysis website Carbon Brief has estimated that more than 70% of extreme weather events across the globe are “made more likely or more severe” by human-caused climate change.
Earlier this year, scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) issued a “final warning” on the climate crisis in a report calling for immediate action to limit carbon emissions. Temperatures are already about 1.1C above pre-industrial levels, the IPCC found. If we surpass the 1.5C mark - which we are on course to do in the early 2030s - efforts to bring the global temperature down will be far harder to achieve.
Is our world up the proverbial creek so far as climate change is concerned? The IPCC report makes it clear that while we are facing a climate change crisis, we still have a paddle.
We know what needs to be done – the question is whether there is the collective will to act for the common good. This month is kept by a growing number of churches as the Season of Creation (https://seasonofcreation.org) - a time to reflect on how we might find better ways of caring for this planet.
One of the five Anglican marks of mission is "To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth." This reminds us that those who follow Jesus Christ are called to care for this world because it is God's world - the world Jesus came to save by overcoming the power of sin and death, and by opening the way to new life with God.
There are so many ways in which you and I can make a difference in caring for God’s creation. For example, as individuals and communities how can we encourage the generation of energy from sustainable sources; the reduction of methane emissions; the switch to electric vehicles; the planting of more trees; the development of emerging technologies that artificially remove CO2 from the atmosphere; the honouring of promises to give financial aid to help poorer countries move towards greener energy….?
The Church of England Diocese of Leicester is committed to becoming an Eco Diocese, and aims to achieve a "net zero carbon" emissions target by 2030 (more information is on the Diocesan website www.leicester.anglican.org).
It is a huge challenge, but by acting together we can play our part in bringing fresh hope to planet earth, our common home.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector
