December 2021: Year-End Reflections On Climate Care
2021 was a year of groaning for God’s creation around the world
In June, most of western United States and Canada experienced heatwaves and intensive wildfires. Where I live, 700 people and a billion sea creatures died during June’s heatwave. In July, intensive floods swept over parts of Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, resulting in 140 deaths and is considered the worst flood disaster in decades. Droughts continued in parts of Africa.
This is all happening at just 1.5c degrees of global warming above pre-industrial times.
James Hansen, NASA climate scientist, warned the US Congress in 1988 that “If we burn all the oil and gas, we will destroy the world.” Three decades later, the impacts Hansen and other climate scientists warned about are happening.
The COP-26 UNFCCC climate conference in November was called “the most significant climate conference of our generation”, reflecting the high stakes that all creation is facing. Participation and engagement around COP-26 from governments, business, youth, religious leaders, and Indigenous peoples show the increasing concern there is around our common home. The good news is that COP-26 Glasgow Pact included pledges to stop subsidies to oil and gas production, reduce methane, and reduce deforestation. However, all areas of society have to work together to reduce climate pollution and restore nature.
In these turbulent times, what can we do as Christ followers? We can learn about creation care issues, intercede through prayer, and take action as a witness to our faith and to God’s coming Kingdom.
Learning
Learning about climate change, its impacts and what we can do about it has never been easier with information from reputable organizations easily found on the internet. Christians can start with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe’s videos explaining global weirding or her newest book “Saving Us”. Interfaith Power and Light’s resource page contains books, study guides, and links to Christian organizations’ webpages.
Intercessory Prayer
It can be easy to feel overwhelmed or even apathetic when confronted with the seriousness of the climate crisis. However, our faith in Christ is one of resurrection, not resignation. Prayer helps us focus on what God can do and God’s sovereignty.
During the COP-26 Civil Society Day of Action, Christians held climate vigils in 30+ locations worldwide. My citizens’ climate group partnered with a local church to hold a climate vigil, where we prayed for those impacted by climate disasters and for urgency from our leaders and churches to care for creation. At a time when it seems almost everyone is waiting for someone else to act, we can pray for our leaders to take the steps necessary to reduce climate pollution. We can pray during our personal prayer time, pray in a group with our church or other like-minded Christians.
Taking Action
In September of this year, the leaders of the Orthodox Church, the Church of England and the Catholic church issued a joint declaration calling on Christians to pray for climate action and to take responsibility as individuals and families.
Christians can reduce their own climate pollution by reducing how much we consume and making the choice to not participate in the consumer economy (see previous articles). We can also work with our churches. This year, I attended webinars where churches showcased their earth care actions, including restoring watersheds, renovating to be more energy efficient and installing electric vehicle charging stations at the church.
Christians can also bear witness to the need for climate action in the public square. In June, UK Christians walked from Cornwall to Glasgow on a pilgrimage to raise attention on the climate crisis. Christians have also been active in divesting finances away from oil, gas, coal, and other fossil fuels in a movement that now numbers $39.2 trillion.
Whether our actions are large and small, unnoticed or not, let’s all do our part on climate care out of love for God and creation in 2022.
What You Can Do!
Learn:
Christian leaders unite to issue a stark warning over the climate crisis: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/sep/07/christian-leaders-unite-to-issue-stark-warning-over-climate-crisis
Stand.Earth report shows that 1485 organizations have divested from fossil fuels worldwide: https://www.stand.earth/DivestInvest2021
Pray:
Pray for your city, state, church and country leaders to have the courage for bold climate action in 2022. For more inspiration, check out Earthkeepers: Christians for Climate Justice and Climate Intercessors.
Act:
Read “Saving Us” by Katherine Hayhoe and talk about climate change with your friends, family, colleagues, fellow students, and your life group. Dr. Hayhoe is a Christian and a climate scientist, and her book shows how everyone can get involved in climate action.