Counting On … – Page 67

Counting on …. Day 1.105

29th April 2023

There is much disinformation around suggesting that either the climate crisis is not real/ not serious, or that the government is doing all that is necessary to contain the crisis. However this is not the case.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change is in the process of producing a report which will detail how far or not the nations of the world are achieving the necessary reduction in carbon emissions to prevent global temperatures rising above the 1.5C tipping point. Their latest interim report says there has been “significant yet inadequate collective progress”.
What this means is that “[O]n both the cutting emissions and adaptating fronts, it says not only that the current plans are insufficient. But there are even problems in translating this inadequate ambition into real action, the so-called implementation gap.”

What is the global stocktake of climate action and why does it matter?

Counting on … day 1.104

28th April 2023

An article from the We Mean Business website points to the importance of switching from fossil to renewal energy to limit the rise in global temperatures. It is hoped that this will be the basis of the outcomes from the G7 meeting in Japan next month

“The Group of Seven nations’ energy ministers agreed this week to accelerate the phase out of all fossil fuels as an essential step in our efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

To replace them with clean energy in the timescale required means immediately repurposing billions of dollars’ worth of fossil fuel subsidies that G7 nations still offer.

In 2021, G7 fossil fuel subsidies came to over $80 billion. Redirecting this capital towards scaling up renewables, increasing energy efficiency and supporting communities affected by this transition will put our climate goals within reach.”

https://www.wemeanbusinesscoalition.org/blog/to-phase-out-fossil-fuels-the-g7-must-stop-subsidising-them/?utm_source=Climate+Weekly&utm_campaign=1805d3d517-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2023_04_21_02_34_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-947741a97e-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D

Counting on … day 1.103

27th April 2023

Reflecting further on The Big One and what it achieved, it showed the positive being that humans can be.

60,000 people gathered to show both their concern for the damage being done in the world and to share their belief that a better world is possible.

60,000 people filled the streets and there were no arrests, no reports of anger or abuse. Well trained and and caring stewards kept everyone self and well looked after.

60, 000 people met and showed respect for each other, welcoming the young and the old, the fit and the not so fit, people of all races and backgrounds, genders and faiths.

60, 000 cooperated, sharing the space and the experience with each other.

60,000 people were entertained and inspired and drew strength from each other’s commitment.

The Big One, for me, demonstrated that a better world is possible and that the counter-cultural characteristics that we read off in the Gospels, the Letters and the Book of Acts is out there for real – and not confined within the walls of the churches.

Counting on … day 1.102

26th April 2023

Why do we need events like The Big One?

Gatherings of scale such as the Big One do 5 things:-

Shows the authorities the size of public opinion
Encourages those taking part that they are not alone in their endeavours
Encourages other to find out more and/or join in the campaign
Gives participants and spectators stories to tell that further the campaign
Brings together and builds links between groups with similar aims.

Counting on … day 1.101

25th April 2023

Today is the feast of St Mark. St Mark is often represented by the symbol of a lion – bounding into action – and with a fast paced gospel. “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)

Having spent four days at The Big One when each day was a day of action, I feel reluctant to let go of that energy, that desire to make a difference. Can faith be that ongoing source of energy?

Counting on day … 1.110

24th April 2023

Persistence

Today is the last day of The Big One but not the last day of the global campaign to tackle the climate crisis and climate injustice. Let us remember that this is not just our campaign but God’s campaign. Remember the many stories of the Bible that show the collective strength of small and insignificant people and the power of persistence, and remember that God is always there with them.

The Waves

The gentle to and fro of the wave,

back and forth,

soothing,

gently rocking,

Loving God, calm us, and

move us as peace-makers.

The persistence of the wave,

never stopping,

never quitting,

gradually wearing down all resistance

Loving God, sustain us, and

make us a force for good.

The power of the wave,

building up,

growing in size,

acquiring energy as it moves

Loving God, strengthen us, and

harness our energy to do what is right.

The breaker, poised but still moving,

ready to break –

to break out, to break up,

to break forth

Loving God, contain us, and

prepare us to spill out into the world.

The crest of the wave, exploding,

releasing energy

that breaks down barriers

and undermines obstructions

Loving God, free us, and

use us to reform the structures of the world.

Storm wave, tidal wave,

tsunami,

that brokers no discussion,

that overwhelms all

Loving God, override us,

and free the world from its own vices.

Amen.

Counting on … day 1.109

23rd April 2023

Perspective

Loving God, we strive to follow your ways

of righteousness and justice in the world.

Yet we feel small and inept, and lay before you our dilemma.

Will you stand by if humanity continues to ignore your ways, following a path instead that leads to self destruction?

Will you stand by if 5000 choose not to follow the crowd? For the sake of the few, will you protect us all from self destruction?

Lord have mercy.

But loving God, Will you stand by if only 500 choose not to follow the crowd?

For the sake of the few, will you protect us all from self destruction?

Lord have mercy.

But loving God, Will you stand by if only 50 choose not to follow the crowd?

For the sake of the few, will you protect us all from self destruction?

Lord have mercy.

Loving God, strengthen our resolve to do what is right,

to stand up for the marginalised,

to safeguard creation and protect life

even when we feel small and ineffective.

Give us the confidence to share our concerns

and our hopes for the planet,

so that we can encourage and welcome others

to follow the path of righteousness and justice.

Amen.

“Behold, God is my salvation,

I will trust and not be afraid;

For the Lord God is my strength and song,

And He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2

Counting on …day 1.108

22nd April 2023

Action

From the first chapters of Genesis, we realise that God created humans to be active participants in the wellbeing of the earth.

We stand at a tipping point, O God,

teetering between life and death:

Shall we fall or rise?

“Chose life!”

Shall we retreat into our shells, bury our heads in the sand:

Or shall we step forth into a new age of sustainability?

“Chose life!”

Shall we ignore the science, hide ourselves in the trappings of consumerism:

Or shall we openly embrace renewable lifestyles?

“Chose life!”

Shall we pointlessly mourn the loss of polar bears and elephants, bees and butterflies:

Or shall we live our lives so that all may live?

“Chose life!”

Shall we fly to the ends of the earth while ice sheets melt:

Or value the future by enjoying what is local?

“Chose life!”

Shall we disregard floods and droughts, storms and heat waves, as seasonal blips:

Or acknowledge them as already-present signs of climate change?

“Chose life!”

Shall we close our ears to cries of help from farmers and islanders as their lands disappear:

Or shall we join voices in calling for justice?

“Chose life!”

Holy God,

Prompt us and urge us, encourage and propel us,

to now change our life styles so that all may have life and live!

Amen.

I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live. Deuteronomy 30:19

Counting on …day 1.107

21st April 2023

Realisation

Regret can lead either to despair – there is no hope – or lament which is an expression of grief that leave the way open for new beginnings.

Love and cherish not some of the earth but all;

Not just your back yard, but mine too;

Not just your local wood but the rainforests too;

Not just your home town but the favelas too.

Love and cherish not some creatures but all;

Not just pandas and tigers, but the vulture and bat too;

Not just bees but wasps and spiders too;

Not just elephants but slugs and snails too.

Love and cherish not some landscapes but all;

Not just meadows but peat bogs too;

Not just ancient woodlands but hedgerows too

Not just national parks but grass verges too.

Love and cherish not some people but all;

Not just city bankers but street cleaners too;

Not just business leaders but refugees too;

Not just home owners but travellers too.

For if we do not, we are all diminished.

If we do not we shall all suffer

from droughts and floods,

rising sea levels and declining water supplies,

from infectious diseases and resistant bacteria.

We are one world, one family,

one eco system, one interdependent

and interwoven creation.

God, our creator, redeemer and sustainer,

Bring us to our senses!

Now!

Compassionate God, you know our hearts and share our sorrows.

We are hurt by the despoiling of the living Earth, which we love.

We are angry at the loss we contemplate.

We long for words of comfort, yet find them hard to hear.

Turn our grief to active love

Turn our anger to energy for the repair of the world

Turn our guilt to solidarity

and by your forgiveness make us whole with all creation.

Amen

(Andii Bowsher, Green Christians)

O Lord, what a variety of things you have made! In wisdom you have made them all. The earth is full of your creatures. Here is the ocean, vast and wide, teeming with life of every kind, both large and small.

Psalm 104:24-25

Counting on … day 1.106

20th April 2023

Regret

Honest awareness of what is happening in the world may prompt us to consider the part we have been or are playing, and to reassess our response.

Far away and near at hand

The floods were far away

Now there near at hand.

How long before I wet my feet

and take a stand?

The heat was far away.

Now it’s close to home.

How long before I own the fact

and finally begin to act?

Hurricanes were tropical.

Now they’re topical.

How long before I feel my guilt

and understand the world we’ve built?

Our climate is changing –

Far away and near at hand.

Holy God, redeem our failings

and strengthen our resolve:

far away and near at hand.

How long O Lord?

How many heat waves?

How many droughts?

How many floods?

How many lost coast lines?

How many before we admit our error?

Before we recognise the crisis?

How many lost penguins?

How many missing polar bears?

How many extinct butterflies?

How many disappearing swifts?

How many before we admit our error?

Before we recognise the crisis?

How many car journeys?

How many air miles?

How many beef steaks?

How many tonnes of cement?

How many before we admit our error?

Before we recognise the crisis?

Creator God, we admit our error

and recognise the crises we have caused.

Grant us the wisdom and determination to make amends:

To change the way we live,

To change the way we see things,

To have care for the future. Amen.