Last month scientists delivered a final warning on the climate crisis. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published its last report on 20th March after hundreds of scientists completed their eight year study. The message of the 85 page report boils down to one simple message: we must act now In order to prevent disaster.
There is no doubt that the climate crisis is worsening. Whilst the temperature of the Earth has fluctuated over time, the current warming is happening at a rate not seen in the past 10,000 years. The impact of global warming is already being felt, particularly in less developed areas of the world. In South and Southeast Asia, typhoons and cyclones have been stronger and more frequent. The Pacific Islands, Central America and the Caribbean have suffered devastation in recent hurricanes. Even here in the UK, climate change has caused more extreme weather such as heatwaves and flooding.
The extent of the crisis can seem overwhelming. The task ahead of us is a huge one and includes the whole of humankind. As Christians we have an important part to play as care for creation was part of the first command given to humanity (Genesis 1:28, 2:15). Indeed, caring for creation is the Fifth Mark of Mission of the Anglican Communion: ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’ In line with this the General Synod of the Church of England has pledged that the whole of the Church of England should be carbon neutral by 2030.
As a diocese, we have taken on this pledge and are working towards being carbon neutral by 2030. Every church in the diocese is encouraged to sign up to Eco Church, the national Christian environmental awards scheme run by A Rocha UK . We are proud to be a bronze level Eco Diocese and are working on achieving the silver award. We are also encouraging churches to complete the Energy Footprint Toolkit which will tell your church what your "carbon footprint" is, based on the energy you use to heat and light your buildings. In order to become Net Zero many churches will have to think about changes to their buildings. There are resources and webinars on the Church of England website looking at ways you might do this. Also, the Church Buildings team in our diocese is here to help.
As well as making changes in our churches, we can also make changes in our homes and to our daily routines. If everyone made small changes, these could have a big impact. The UN lists 10 actions people can start with to help limit climate change. These include, saving energy at home; walking, cycling and using public transport; eating less meat and dairy; taking fewer flights, and reduce, reuse, repair and recycle. They also acknowledge that we cannot just rely on individual action so they encourage people to speak up and appeal to local, national and world leaders on why they should be doing more to protect the planet from the climate crisis.
We are fast approaching a point of no return in the climate crisis. However, we should not be overcome by fear or feel too overwhelmed and become complacent. As Christians we should lead the way in protecting the Earth for “The Earth is the Lord′s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters” (Psalm 24:1-2).