I have been re-alerted to the issues and re-energised regarding our responsibility to care for God’s creation – especially in the face of global warming.
I had the privilege recently to attend “Clearing The Air” and Vision Network-organised conference for church leaders. There we heard from world-class New Zealand scientists and leading sceptics on the issue of global warming.
Given that there have been considerable tensions, and the proponents are certainly not reconciled, this was a courageous move by Vision Network and required courage from those involved. Nevertheless, it allowed for dialogue which, I understand, has been rare anywhere in the world.
On the one hand, some will claim that the science is settled and the facts of global warming (that it is happening, that it is caused by humans...) are irrefutable. On the other hand, some claim that the science if flawed and more about politics and that the human contribution is negligible.
I knew far too little about it. I am much better informed than I was and more persuaded that there is, at least, a major risk. There certainly seems to be considerable consensus among scientists (although I know that there are other, very reputable scientists who take a different view) and I struggle to believe that they are all wrong or all fooled by some conspiracy.
There is little doubt that we all have a responsibility to care for God’s creation. On that level alone, I am persuaded to be more proactive in fostering the wise use of resources and awareness of the carbon issues. However, if the science is right, we face a major crisis that requires a more focused and radical response. It can be argued that if the whole thing is a beat-up then we should not be asked to make the massive investments that the climate change proponents seek. However, given the strength of the scientific opinion, it requires of us that we at least understand the issues and make a commitment to the required action. When there are things we can do, why not do them? There may be a cost but there are also benefits for the environment even if climate change turns out to not be as big as issue as is suggested.
It is not only about caring for God’s creation; it is also about loving our neighbour. It was pointed out numerous times at the conference that it is the poor who will suffer most and who have the least capacity to adapt to climate changes. We also have a responsibility to future generations rather than to simply maintain our preferred lifestyle but leave them a world in trouble.
I find it strange that I am saying these things. I am concerned that in many ways, our churches have focused on these sorts of issues to the point of forgetting our primary mission – making disciples. I still hold that view but that is not to say that we give no attention to caring for the creation. We need to do that too.
The outcome of the conference was to gather together many of the resources that churches have already produced on the climate change issue and make those available along with the input that we received at the conference, as an educational/study resource for churches. If we don’t know enough about it or we feel that the jury is still out and we need more time and information, then we should take advantage of the work of Vision Network in coordinating and making available resources. We need to know about this stuff and we need to decide our own response.
I am not sure when it will be made available but check out the Vision Network web site. And let’s do what we can for a cleaner, safer world for ourselves and for others.
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