The Simple Pastor
By Phil Whittall, church planter, blogger & book reviewer
RT @lukedvd: Hope his resignation from the England manager job will allow @JoelVirgo to focus on his church duties #nomorehairdye 17 hrs ago
It’s quite a headline really, when you stop to think about it. Pretty much everything these days seems to be about the environment. Climate change was one of the themes of the last decade and will be one for the next ten years too. If you’re sick of hearing about it, talking about it, thinking about it then I have some bad news for you, in all likelihood this train is only just beginning to pull.
There are massive forces at work reshaping the way our world works (and some fairly hefty forces resisting any such change), but governments (and importantly most of the big ones) are slowly changing too. Take recycling waste for example, almost everyone in the UK deals with household waste differently to ten years ago, more is recycled than ever and looking forward you’ll have increasingly less choice in the matter. Recycling will be what we all do, what we have to do.
Laws will make your cars more energy efficient, increasing numbers of electric vehicles will begin to appear, hybrids will change our petrol stations. Already incentives are available for households to generate electricity and grants available to reduce waste through insulation and new boilers. These are just a few of the ways your life is changing because scientists and governments believe our climate is changing (and not really for the better).
Tied to all of this political drive are the cultural battles taking place, those preparing for a brave new world where cars are obsolete, travel is restricted and everything gets local. It’s a back to the future kind of approach, a blending of nostalgia for ages past and a hopeful mix of new technology and thinking. At the same time a sizeable majority are appalled at the idea of not being able to buy strawberries in winter or driving to the shops in a 4×4. Development agencies are lobbying, oil companies are lobbying back. It’s grassroots against big business.
At the heart of much of the campaigning for change is the belief that our current way of living in developed nations is unsustainable, we simply can’t go on like this, goes the thinking. We buy too much, waste too much, need so little. This is mostly true. This is at the heart of consumerism. (more…)
Thanks to the BBC for this amazing image
And no I haven’t changed my mind but it is pretty cold this winter…
This short video (4 minutes) gives you an insight into the amount of work that goes into the IPCC. You might still think their findings are politically biased or scientifically in error. Even so the work done is quite remarkable.
Firstly, it’s a debate you can’t ignore. A side must be taken because, while the future of the planet is not in jeopardy, the form of human civilisation could drastically alter and as always the poorest will be hit hardest. For some of our brothers and sisters we’re not talking about paying higher energy bills we’re talking about them living or dying. So decide I must. Will the streams of justice roll or will they have dried up in western greed and apathy. I think justice demands I make my mind up.
Having decided to decide, I have to decide who to trust. I respect theologians but I don’t listen or believe all of them, same with most experts really. But I don’t dismiss them out of hand. And while not all scientists agree, the vast majority of climate scientists do. That’s a point worthy of note. Given they know more about this than I do, am I going to choose to listen to their warnings.
This group is not a small group, nor is it a group that obviously has much to profit by championing this cause. They’re not backed by big oil companies. Some may make their name, so ego isn’t to be discounted, but for the majority this argument doesn’t apply. It’s a global group – from many different countries, not just liberal, eco-friendly, tree-hugging, atheist Scandinavians. The scientific panels now have decades long body of evidence, they have been subject to scrutiny by peer review, the media, governments and public opinion.
But there are the nay-sayers. The sceptics and climate-gate has only roused them in their conspiracy theory anger. Are they right? Is this whole thing some excuse to sneak in a one-world government through the back door or worse socialism? Well maybe, so what? Anyway, here’s my conspiracy theory in reply. Doesn’t it seem odd to you that the most vocal opponents of change are the ones accused of being the most guilty? That the ones that might actually have to pay up and change are the ones fighting the hardest against it, how strange is that, how unexpected and inconsistent with human nature; wouldn’t you agree?
So here are the sceptics and the pretty robust response from the believers. (HT: Jeremy – read this post!).
But even if the climate isn’t changing (and it’s not just about the planet getting warmer) there are good reasons to work with not against this movement. Here are a few:
Not so long ago, there was the brief whiff of debate on the blog about climate change. It seems to me that evangelical Christians (especially in the US) are sceptical about climate change (they don’t have a great record of trusting the scientific establishment) and here in the UK, the more reformed you are the less likely (in general terms) the issues of climate change, the environment, consumerism etc are going to be taken seriously. This is a shame and a cause of sadness. I’m convinced one of my roles is to make a contribution to that debate to bring more of the church round on this one. So I’m convinced, are you?
I don’t think he could be more wrong. I also picked up today from Peter Ould’s latest blog that he’s a sceptic, so it seems is popular Christian blogger Tim Challies and a whole host of others. Made me wonder if evangelicals are more likely to be climate change sceptics and I think that could be so.
Here are a few posts from my friend Jeremy who is convinced of man-made climate change.
For the campaigners amongst you, I was sent this information to pass on. "Join others in Coventry for our Climate Change Day of Action on 19 March.What’s in store? The day will be made up of three parts. 1. Service, Coventry Cathedral 12pm: The day will start with a joint service with CAFOD, featuring music and performances. James Hansen, the renowned climatologist, will provide a call to arms with his keynote speech, while the Bishop of Liverpool, James Jones, will explain the theological response to climate change. 2. Carnival parade 1.30pm: Then we will join with our colleagues from the Stop Climate Chaos coalition with a vibrant parade through the city centre. 3. E.ON rally 3pm: We’ll be bringing the day to a close with a rally, alongside the World Development Movement, outside the headquarters of E.ON, the company behind the planned Kingsnorth coal-fuelled power station. Join us as we say ‘No to coal!’To join us in Coventry for all or any part of the day, email campaigns@christian-aid.org or call 020 7523 2264 For more details visit:http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/Countdown-to-Copenhagen-climate-change/come-to-coventry.aspx"
“A growing band of experts are looking at figures like these and arguing that personal carbon virtue and collective environmentalism are futile as long as our economic system is built on the assumption of growth. The science tells us that if we are serious about saving Earth, we must reshape our economy. This, of course, is economic heresy.”
Read the whole thing here
HiThanks for emailing me about European action on climate change.
You’re right that some people see the economic trouble and say we should scale back what we do to tackle climate change.
But we know from the Stern report that the longer we wait, the higher the cost. And we know as well there are many ways to help both the economy and the environment, encouraging jobs in green technologies and helping households save energy.
So in European meetings and elsewhere, I’ve been arguing that Europe needs to lead, with tough reductions at home, with all sectors contributing, and with real action.
You said we should reduce our own emissions, and stick by the European target of a 20 per cent cut by 2020, and a 30 per cent cut when there is a global deal. I completely agree. Britain’s weight has been behind Europe keeping our emission commitments.
You wrote about which industries have to buy carbon permits in auctions. I have been arguing that there should be a big increase, including the whole power sector from 2013.
And on offsets, we have to show that a low-carbon economy is possible. I’ve been arguing that at least 50% of the reductions after 2012 must come from within Europe.
But because responsibility abroad is the flip side of action at home, I do believe that some foreign credits are important. They mean more money going to developing countries to help green technologies, on top of the £800 million fund that Britain has set up to support green development. This combination of government funds and money from credits, together with action from developing countries themselves, is needed to keep global emissions down.
So we’ve got lots going on. Last week I increased our legal target for carbon cuts by 2050 (you can read more about it here), and later in the year we will hear from the independent Committee on Climate Change what milestones we should meet on the way. As we manage the transition to a low-carbon economy, and agree an international deal, I’d like to stay in touch. And I’d like to thank you for making contact: a low-carbon economy can’t come about from politicians alone, but from politicians and public pressure – pressure on me, on MEPs and local authorities, and on our public services and businesses. I can’t bring about the changes we need without you.
Best wishes
Ed Miliband
Secretary of State,
Department of Energy and
Climate Change.
“Stopping climate change is not the reason we should be attempting to live more simply in the first place. The point about, say,…travelling by public transport instead of your own private car…is that such actions have their own intrinsic worth. Such green practices express a level of esteem for the world around us and the community we live in.”
From a short article in Faithworks magazine (summer 2008) p9. Catherine von Ruhland is the author of Living with the Planet: Making a difference in a time of climate change
If you want the opposite view on climate change read this. Can’t say I agree, but we must read the views of the doubters…
“Love does no harm to its neighbour, says Paul in the book of Romans, yet accidental damage from our high consumption lifestyles is harming our poorer neighbours who are facing unpredictable rains and increased droughts and floods.”
Here’s a question for you, if I accept the link that Tearfund and others make, that our lifestyles in the west are unsustainable and are contributing to climate change that affects the poor the most, then if I know all that and do not change, can I still call that an accident? Even if it is an accident (‘I didn’t mean to run them over Officer’) we do still remain liable. Doing nothing will soon become unacceptable…
I’m always impressed by web wizards and I caught this site from John Allan’s latest web round up in Youthwork magazine.
Breathing Earth is a simple and clever site that shows you how often countries emit 1000 tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere and also how often someone is born or dies. That’s it. But if you want a graphic illustration of carbon emissions – this is a great site to show people.
Fortunately you can get away with that on blogs from time to time. I’ve just been wondering what is THE battle, THE issue to which I should commit my energy and efforts. Poverty? Climate Change? Consumerism? Simplicity? Evangelism? Politics? Youth? Discipleship?
As you can tell from the number of question marks there are few issues that buzz around my head and of course many overlap and are not at all mutually exclusive. It helps to have a clear enemy, consumerism is a bit amorphous – who is your enemy? Shops? Shoppers? Capitalism?
Again who’s the enemy with Climate Change? Sceptics? Airlines? Tourists? 4×4 drivers? Energy companies? It’s fortunate there’s a vast array of campaigners on all these fronts because the enemy is equally vast and generally infinitely better resourced.
Perhaps this lack of real threat, of real enemy and real danger is what keeps many of my generation focused on just one thing: themselves….
Well, apologies for the waffle, with a bit of luck more focused thoughts will return to me soon…
This little 32 page booklet is a good one to give to people who are just beginning to think about the issue of climate change from a Christian perspective. Clearly from it’s size it is a first word not a last word on the subject. It asks good questions and helps people think biblically for themselves about the subject and leaves lots of room for further study.
While it does leave room for those less than convinced about the need or priority it does also point people gently in the direction that Christians should respond on the basis of what our Scriptures teach us. Recommended and well produced little booklet.
There are lots of complicated and expensive solutions because the simple and money-saving one of consuming less is passed by.
Should we, for the sake of the planet, give up flying? The Environmental Pharisee has to say yes, but I’m not so sure but then I want to go to Cuba. And enjoy it. We can always justify whatever it is we do can’t we. Flying is the fastest growing form of carbon emissions but it is far from being the largest – that belongs to cars I think. Does the environmental cause now require us to return to the islands we were born on and never leave unless on horseback and by sail?
Anyway I had an enjoyable Sunday reading The Observer, turns out they have a regular ethical living section, good for them and the Monday Guardian is weighing in with comment on Fairtrade Fortnight as does the BBC today although the Beeb questions it’s value. Still the more mainstream it becomes the more the debate raises the profile of the issues. The direction is good and if only I could give up travel we might get there faster….
Well I’m off to hug a tree. You wait for ages for supermarkets to do something responsible then two come along at once. If Marks & Spencer’s green announcement wasn’t enough then Tesco have followed suit with this package of green measures. The only thing is do I trust big business enough to believe them? I mean there must be a catch somewhere right? Who is going to pay and who is going to lose out? I bet it won’t be Tesco
For more info on supermarkets (like em or loathe em) click here
I believe Jesus when he said 'life does not consist in the abundance of our possessions'. I believe he offers something better. This blog is mostly about that search.
I'm also a husband, a father, church planter, keen runner, reader, and motorcyclist. These and a few other things make guest appearances from time to time.
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