As the worlds' leaders and their teams gather in Glasgow for COP 26 this weekend let's be praying for action instead of merely words and grand gestures. The need for urgency is clear, despite the protests of those with huge vested interest in keeping things the way they are. Certainly our young people seem to understand the message even if their forbears have literally grown deaf. Of course, such action will hurt the lifestyles of those who have become used to the luxury of multiple vehicle ownership and the mass consumption of fossil fuels, but is there a Plan B? I think not.
One aspect of all this that does concern me is the lack of balance between the haves and the have-nots of climate change. Many of the world's poorest communities are experiencing the effects of this period of human tenancy on Earth. From widespread drought in sub-Saharan Africa to wild fires on Greek islands, the threat to the very existence of homes along the rivers in Bangladesh, and the potential disappearance of whole communities into the sea in low-lying island nations like the Maldives, this imbalance is clear. The Western and developed world has made its fortune extracting ore, minerals and fossil fuels from the Earth and it is, quite literally, payback time. The time has come to recognise the essential unity of mankind and the responsibility placed upon us all to be stewards of God's creation.
When stuff goes wrong with any piece of equipment in my life, I often refer to the maker's manual. Whether online or in a booklet, I pay attention to the original purpose for the item in question, seeking answers from the one who made it. This is what God has said in his Creator's Manual that goes with the Earth, and reflects His plans for mankind:
God spoke: “
Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature, so they can be responsible for the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the cattle, and, yes, Earth itself, and every animal that moves on the face of Earth.God created human beings; he created them godlike, reflecting God’s nature. He created them male and female. God blessed them: 'Prosper! Reproduce! Fill Earth! Take charge! Be responsible for fish in the sea and birds in the air, for every living thing that moves on the face of Earth.'" (Gen. 1:28-30 The Message).
