On Wednesday we enter the season of Lent, with a focus this year on ‘Caring for God’s Earth’, we asked the Church of England’s National Environment Officer, Jo Chamberlain how we as Christians should, and can respond to the climate emergency.
On Wednesday of the February session of General Synod 2020, the Church of England voted to reduce its carbon emissions year on year until it reaches net zero emissions by 2030. There was a clear majority support for this measure, but there were some in the chamber who felt this should not be a priority for the Church.
When Jesus was asked what our priorities should be, he said to love God and to love other people. I don’t believe it is possible to do either of those things without making care for creation a fundamental part of our Christian lives.
The world in which we live is God’s creation, his gift to us. The first people were placed in a garden and asked to till and to keep it. The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it. We are entrusted to be the guardians, not of the whole galaxy, but of the earth. If we are to worship God and show our love for him, then we will tend and care for the beautiful creation he has given us.
The Pope reminds us that the world is our common home. The book of James tells us that when we love other people it is not enough to be concerned for their spiritual wellbeing. We need to be concerned for their material wellbeing too. When lives are taken and homes and livelihoods are destroyed by fire, floods, storms and drought, and when these events are increasing in frequency and ferocity by the rapidly heating global climate, then action on the climate crisis has to be a priority.
These stripes represent the annual global temperatures since 1850 https://showyourstripes.info #showyourstripes Ed Hawkins, Uni of Reading. For information going back further see this blog http://www.climate-lab-book.ac.uk/2020/2019-years/#more-5708
So how can we as Christians respond? It seems right that our first response should turn us to God – prayer, or lament, or reconnecting with God in the beauty of creation. We are all acutely aware that this is a ‘bigger-than-self’ problem, but this shouldn’t leave us overwhelmed into inaction. We are not acting alone, we are co-workers with the Holy Spirit in the redemption of the earth. So what can we do?
Energy makes up a huge proportion of our carbon emissions. Switch to a renewable energy provider, and choose one which directly funds renewable energy generation, as this is the best way to make sure your bills invest in and grow the sector. I’d suggest Good Energy, Ecotricity and Bulb.
Eat less meat and dairy. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture make up about 10% of the UK’s total, and meat production is the biggest component. Other things like eating locally and in season will help, but keeping red meat to an occasional treat will help even more.
Don’t fly. There, I said it! Even a short return trip to Europe emits more greenhouse gases than someone from Sierra Leone produces in a year. You can (and should!) make lots of cleaner, greener transport choices – walk, cycle, train, electric car – but that one flight will outweigh them all.
Contact your MP. We need systemic change too. In Olivia Blake, most of you at All Saints have an MP who is new to Westminster and likely does not yet have a big portfolio. Now is the time to make sure the environment and tackling the climate crisis is the top of her agenda.
Consider your response as a church. How will All Saints reach net zero? Even if you can’t make it to the evening service in Lent, you can still read the Lent book, or join in the daily #LiveLent reflections. And join in the Diocese’s environment conference on May 9th for more practical help on how to respond.
