Serving God in the heart of our community since 1881

St Andrew's Church, Taunton

Global Warming – Is there anything we can do?

Part 2 in the series by Janet Fulljames of St. Andrew's Church Taunton 18 February 2007.

Two important reports on climate change have been published recently. Both the Stern Report by economists and a UN Report by leading world scientists have emphasized the importance of taking urgent action to reduce carbon emissions.  We may have a sense of helplessness when bombarded with all the facts we have heard. Can what I do make any real difference? Can any actions here in Britain really prevent further global warming?

Even if we begin to think of ways by which we can reduce our individual contributions to increased carbon and other greenhouse gases, when we think of the growth in the economies of countries like China or India we may conclude whatever we do will be insignificant globally. Yet the people of China and India do far less damage to the environment than the people of the UK or the USA. We cannot reasonably insist they remain in poverty while we continue to enjoy a much higher standard of living. As their economies grow they are very aware of the effects global warming will have. A country like India is likely to see more flooding, drought and poor harvests as a result of climate change. India is increasing the use of new technologies including wind and solar power e.g. in Mumbai there is a 45 metre tall solar pyramid that can generate 10 megawatts of electricity.

Global warming is a global problem and needs global action. This however should not lead us to conclude that this is a matter for governments or international corporations alone. Governments will only take action if people indicate that a particular issue really matters to them. When enough people say the same things MPs and governments cannot afford to ignore us!

The campaign to reduce world poverty “Make Poverty History” was an impressive global campaign that brought together individuals, and numerous organizations including churches, trade unions, development organizations and political parties. It is a good illustration of the effectiveness of individual action and the cooperation of many groups, who were then able to put pressure on the leaders of the most powerful governments on the planet. Already organizations like Greenpeace, Friends of the Earth, the Christian Ecology Link, the Green Party and the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences are organizing events to pressurize governments to take climate change seriously.

Governments will need to consider whether to make changes in taxation, in order to encourage the purchase of “green” products or discourage the use of polluting activities. There is a need to reduce energy consumption, and develop alternative technologies.  Richer nations can help poorer nations to develop new ways of generating energy. They can then grow their economies and improve the living standards of their people without damaging the environment as we, and other developed nations, have done.

As consumers we have the power to create a demand for products or reduce our consumption of certain goods. In subsequent articles we will be looking at practical ways we can become “greener” consumers. We have choices about the energy sources we use, the way we travel, dare I say it, how much we use the car or fly around the world! We can cut energy waste in our homes, use solar heating and even turn our houses into power stations.

As Christians, rather than sit back and wait for governments or industry to take action, we need to remember that God expects each of us to use all that we have been given, wisely and responsibly. (Matthew 25: 14-29). In continuing Christ’s work and building his kingdom we are called to be active in his service (Luke 12 35-37). What one of us can do may seem insignificant, but every bit counts, and people acting together really can make a difference! Remember the saying of Confucius the famous Chinese philosopher “Better to light a candle than curse the darkness”!

Janet Fulljames

 

	Global warming: should Christians care? To read the first piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: is there anything we can do? To read the second piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: what is the church doing? To read the third piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: what can we as a congregation do? To read the fourth piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: what is my carbon footprint? To read the fifth piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: what can I do to save energy in the home? To read the sixth piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: what can I do about shopping? To read the seventh piece in this series please click here.
	Global warming: what can I do to reduce emissions from transport? To read the eight part in this series please click here.
	Global warming: "reduce, repair, recycle and reuse!" To read the ninth part in this series please click here
	Global warming: what next? To read the tenth part in this series please click here

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