“Irreversible catastrophic changes are now a possibility” –Three Archbishops from Africa respond to the IPCC report
The announcement from the UN’s panel on Climate Change is apocalyptic – irreversible climate changes are a possibility unless we act very quickly. Millions of the most vulnerable of the peoples of our Earth will be affected by devastating drought, flooding and sea level rise .
Some Christians who believe that we do not need to act- for the Bible tells us “ I see a new heaven and a new Earth , for the first heaven and the first Earth had passed away” (Rev 21:1) Salvation is an escape to a new earth, it is not our role to get involved in saving the Earth.
However, this is not what the Bible teaches – In Greek there are two words for new – “neos” and “Kainos”. Neos means brand new – throw away the old and bring out the new. Kainos – means renewed, restored to a better state than before. This is what the bible tells us – “ I see a new heaven and a (kainos) renewed Earth” (Rev 21:1). There is no Planet B – we are called to renew this one.
So we as Christians are called the renew the earth. The very first commandment that we were given as human beings was to care for the Earth (Gen 2:15) – “work the Earth and look after it”
So how can we do this?- The IPCC indicates that we need to cut greenhouse emissions by 50 percent by 2030 and eliminate them by 2050.
This means that all of us must act – we must put pressure on our governments to stick to the commitments they made in line with the Paris agreement (Nationally determined contributions – NDCs)
It is time for us as Christians to take action
The Bible tells us that Creation is groaning as in child birth. (Rom 8:22) This is a very positive image – the Earth is in serious pain at the moment but we are in the process of ‘birthing’ a better future- with clean energy, clear rivers and fresh air for our children and grandchildren.
We also know that Creation is standing on tiptoe waiting for the sons and daughters of God to be revealed (Rom 8:19) – it is time for us to act.
As Churches of Southern and Central Africa we are committed to the following:
- Encouraging churches and families to reduce their carbon footprint in travel, energy and food choices
- That Church buildings should be models of energy efficiency for the community to see.
- Developing small scale solar farms on some church land.
- Divesting our funds from fossil fuels
- Planting trees
The Archbishops also are committing to personal lifestyle changes to reduce their carbon footprint:
Most Revd Dr Thabo Magkoba, Anglican Archbishop of Capetowna and Primate of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa
I pledge to use more gas at home than electricity, to tree planting after major travelling and to continue abstaining from eating meat.
Most Reverend Albert Chama, Archbishop of Anglican Church of the Province of Central Africa
“ I pledge where possible to eat locally grown food , to plant as many trees as possible and to reduce my use of energy as much as possible”
Most Reverend Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town.
I pledge to using aircon and heating less, to only use my car when absolutely necessary and to continue to reduce, recycle and re-use. And, of course, I will plant trees whenever possible.
Well done!
You are setting an example to all other faith communities in Africa.
Get young and old to together start planting fruit and indigenous trees along in their areas. Lemon and olive trees will be good a start to a healthy life style.
Keep up the good work and inspire our schools to do the same.
Regards.
Jan
Thankyou so much! We want to do some planting at St Michaels School in Khayelitsha.
They did plant some trees before but they died becuase it is so windy.. What do you suggest we plant that is very hardy first as a hedge to stop the wind. ” Then maybe a couple of years later to plant trees….