29. Caring for creation in the face of climate change

Climate change is increasingly dominating the national and international agenda. It is important for the churches to engage in the crucial issues raised from their faith perspective. The Methodist Church’s Environmental Policy adopted by the Conference in 2000 states that:-

The Biblical creation stories give human beings privilege and responsibility in relation to the earth and every living creature. We are called to be partners with the rest of creation and co-partners in the ongoing creative and renewing activity of God. Such partnership goes wrong when human beings act as if the whole earth were simply for their present benefit.

Scientists are warning of an impending ‘tipping point’, a point of no return after which the level of carbon in the atmosphere will cause an irreversible and accelerating change. Low-lying countries such as Bangladesh and nations prone to flooding or drought are feeling the effects.  Consequently World Church, MRDF and Christian Aid partners are already reporting the effects of climate change on their environments.  Yet the poorer nations have contributed least to the problem of climate change.  The average Briton, for example, has a carbon footprint 10 times the average for someone living in Africa. Climate change is probably now the most serious threat to long term development. 

The current UK government aspiration is to achieve a 60% cut in carbon emissions from the 1990 level by 2050. This requires an average reduction of around 3% per year.  This is clearly not being achieved with present policies and even this level of reduction will fail to address the problem of climate change.  The UK Government has published a draft Climate Change Bill for consultation.  It is important that such legislation introduces effective measures to reverse the pattern of rising carbon emissions.

The magnitude of the challenge requires decisive international action not only by governments, but also business and the voluntary sector including churches.  Adaptation to a low carbon economy must cause us to think deeply about lifestyles.  If we are called “to live more simply in order that others may simply live” our response to God’s covenant relationship with all creation should cause the church to be active in the call to address climate change.

Various groups support the response of the Churches in the UK.  Operation Noah, the UK Churches Campaign on Climate Change, maintains a critical voice and is urging stronger political leadership in the UK to establish policies within a framework of fairness and justice.  The group might also offer Christian denominations support in measuring carbon emissions through an easy to use web-based tool in order to help churches to shrink their footprint. 

Climate change is now the major campaign focus for Christian Aid and MRDF who are drawing attention to the devastating impact on the world’s poorest communities.  Christian Aid has produced campaign and other resources for supporters to take action. The agency is offering support and resources to Methodist congregations to campaign in the areas that will make a real impact on reducing emissions including individual, church and community group, company and government actions. For the Methodist Church to support such campaigns it is important that the church acknowledges its own impact on the environment and seeks to reduce its own carbon emissions.