We are experiencing an environmental emergency. More and more people are waking up to the reality of the climate crisis and ecological degradation happening across our planet. The efforts of climate change campaigners, many remarkable young climate activists behind the student climate strikes and stark new science have raised global attention. They are clear— global behaviour has altered our environment beyond repair.
The consequences are dire for our planet. Temperatures across the world have already increased by nearly 1°C since 1880, sea levels have risen by nearly 20cm since 1901 and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods and droughts are becoming increasingly common. The consequences are already being felt, particularly in the Global South, where people are experiencing increased risk of hunger and famine, as well as displacement from their homes. If we do not act to reduce our carbon emissions, these effects will only worsen and expand across the globe.
From Genesis, humans are shown to be part of God’s creation, shaped out of the same fabric as the earth itself. Our calling is to be stewards of this creation (Genesis 1:28; Genesis 2:15). But humanity has fallen short of this calling, and we have misused the earth to our own gain (Isaiah 24:5).
As Christians, we have real hope in the promise that God will reconcile all things in heaven and on earth to himself (Colossians 1:20). However, in our love for God we should be joining to pursue God’s desires for our world, working to bring this new kingdom ‘on earth as it is in heaven’.
Our work this year will encourage Christians to think about how we can live out this calling. We will encourage practical, policy and political responses to the climate crisis and offer the opportunity to take meaningful action as part of a supportive community.
Find out more about the work we do on the environment here: