Thanks to Joe Furphy, ECI’s Presbyterian representative, for writing the following thought-provoking article:
Over the past twenty years or so much has been written on the subject of climate change. Many views have been expressed, some suggesting that it does not exist, some that is going to do great damage to our environment, others that it will be of benefit to us. While a number of views are based on scientifically-proven facts, others have been emotional reactions, expressed in good faith.
The committee also states that the effects, if unchecked, will get worse and furthermore will last for many centuries. In response to the report the US Secretary of State, Jim Kerry, stated “Those who deny the science or chose excuses over action are playing with fire.” As churches, the grave seriousness of this report should lead us to seriously consider its implications and approach our response in a Biblical manner.
First, we must acquaint ourselves with the facts. Not only does the IPCC report provide a most valuable assessment of the situation, but several other recent publications set out the reality and options. While many have a secular agenda, it should be noted that one of the most respected authors, Sir John Houghton, one time chairman of the leading UK committee on the subject, is a Christian. But we should also examine the cases made against the scientific advice in order to properly equip ourselves to reach balanced decisions.
Secondly, no matter what our views are on the actual causes of present-day climate change, we must accept that it is happening, and that it is going to have effects worldwide – and that includes Ireland – which will be either beneficial, benign or devastating. Some of these effects are already being manifested through recent extremes of weather conditions, through the melting of the polar icecaps and also through desertification, particularly in parts of Africa. We need to encourage our politicians to take serious cognisance of this and of the many steps which can be taken to alleviate the human distress and environmental degradation which will follow. Courage will be required, as inevitably many decisions will not meet with general public approval. It will involve persuading all of us to be less wasteful generally, to use fossil fuels less, and to be generally more environmentally aware.
Thirdly, we must follow Christ’s example and show compassion. Where people are already suffering adverse effects of climate change, as in areas which have been flooded, suffered forest fires, drought or sea-level rise, we should make every effort to provide assistance in whatever way it is needed. We should be aware of potential disasters – such as the likelihood of even a relatively small rise in sea level causing the abandonment of thousands of homes in the Ganges delta – and make preparations to provide shelter and opportunities to restore family life and dignity. Because we in Ireland may not experience such extremes this should not be a reason to fail to assist those who do suffer. As an example of what can be done – the New Zealand government has repatriated inhabitants of some of their dependencies in the Pacific where rising sea levels have rendered certain islands uninhabitable.
Above all, as churches we should be leaders of concern and reason – we should be willing to accept that there are environmental and social difficulties resulting from climate change both now, but particularly in the years ahead. We should be positive in stressing the need for all in authority to follow our lead in compassion, to look beyond short-term planning, and to be fearless in taking unpopular decisions whose benefits will only be seen many years hence.
As Christ’s people, we should follow His example in showing love and concern for those who are suffering. We should be stressing the need for justice in all our activities – we should not be seen to be adversely affecting the lives of our fellows, wittingly or unwittingly, by action or inaction. We must pray for guidance as to how to proceed in the challenging task of striving to properly steward the world God has give us to inhabit and to manage to His glory. Psalm 24 – ‘The earth is the Lord’s’.