Dear Friends
Summer is here! As I write we are about to experience two of the hottest days in the UK’s history. If anyone ever doubted that climate change is a reality, then surely this is evidence for it. Indeed, in the last 20 years (prior to the current heatwave), we have experienced 7 of the 10 hottest days on record.
So, how might we respond as Christians then? Firstly, by prayer. By praying for those affected by extreme heat not only in this country but also in other parts of the world, where temperatures are even hotter. Temperatures that are causing wildfires, droughts, and leading people to migrate to cooler countries like our own. We can pray that our own government, and all governments, take the necessary urgent action now to avoid potential climate catastrophe.
Secondly, by learning more about the climate crisis we currently face. You may well have heard the quote by Professor Sir David King, the former Chief Scientific Adviser to multiple UK governments, who in 2021 said that “We have to move rapidly. What we do over the next three to four years, I believe, is going to determine the future of humanity. We are in a very, very desperate situation.” But did you know that Chatham House, the prestigious international affairs think tank, said in their 2021 report that if emissions continue on the current trajectory, we have just a 5 per cent chance of staying well under 2 degrees Celsius, a very significant tipping point, when human life and the environment become much more difficult to maintain, and in some cases could disappear. They also said that globally, each year in the 2030s:
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- More than 400 million people a year are likely to be exposed to temperatures exceeding the workability threshold (i.e., unable to work outdoors)
- More than 10 million people a year are likely to be exposed to heat stress exceeding the survivability threshold (i.e., likely to die outside)
These are disturbing figures for us all as human beings, Christian or otherwise, so thirdly, we need to act. There are many ways we can take action. Some Christians believe that non-violent direct action is the right response to put pressure on our government to change its ways, to take more urgent action to save ourselves and the planet. See Christian Climate Action – Direct action, public witness for the climate. Taking such action may not be what we feel called to do but writing to our MP, Andy Carter; signing climate petitions; joining our church eco team to help us a church try to reach net zero carbon by 2030 (in line with the Church of England’s own commitment) are other things that we might feel more comfortable with. For further information, see Green Christian – Ordinary Christians, extraordinary times and Eco Church – An A Rocha UK Project.
I do not believe we need to panic about the climate crisis, but we do need to take urgent action and fast if we are not going to pass on an unbearable legacy to our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
I hope you have a good summer, whether you are able to get away or are staying at home.
With my prayers and best wishes.
Jeremy Tear
Pioneer Team Rector
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