TrewsNews

Explanatory note “Human-induced climate change, mainly a result of burning fossil fuels, is occurring fast and will confront humanity with its greatest ever challenge. The earth is on a pathway to global warming well beyond the 2°C internationally agreed as the maximum possible if we are to avoid cataclysmic climate change”. (The Bright Now Report) Scientists estimate that to avoid a 2°C temperature rise the maximum amount of carbon that can be produced by burning coal, oil and gas is one fifth of current reserves. This means that 4/5ths of existing fossil fuels must stay in the ground if we are too avoid catastrophic climate change. Care for creation is part of our calling as Christians, as 1 Cor 10:26 says, "the earth is the Lord's". Climate change will hit poorer nations the hardest. Proverbs 31:9 says, "Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Churches can speak up with a prophetic voice by removing investments from foss...

Church of Ireland Gazette, 10 July 2015. Letter to the editor, I thank God for Ron Elsdon. About 20 years ago he visited our midweek Bible study and spoke passionately about global warming; I have vivid memories of images of melting glaciers. So I was delighted to read his article, ‘An immense pile of filth’, Gazette 3 July 2015, in which he wrote again with passion about the need for every parish and parishioner to respond to the moral problem of climate change. In particular, he highlighted the Environmental Charter passed at General Synod in May. On 25 June 2015 the Down and Dromore synod voted to pass unanimously a motion on climate change that endorsed the Environmental Charter. It is a call to action for Christians and churches within the Church of Ireland. I hope other diocesan synods may vote on similar motions soon. For convenience the text of the motion is online at http://bit.ly/CoIDivest . Another interesting article in the same edition of the Gazette is by Chr...