Action – The Green Tau

Proper 19, 15th Sunday after Trinity

13th September 2026

Reflection with readings below

The reading from Genesis talks of the gift of forgiveness – its ability to dispel fear and restore relationships – and the importance and freedom of not holding a grudge. Today’s psalm expands on this by declaring how it is that God bestows benefits on us: forgiving our sins, healing our infirmities (our shortcomings), redeems and gives value to our lives, satisfies our needs, and executes righteousness and judgement for us all. All this is encapsulated in the phrase ‘compassion and mercy’.

God’s character is to show compassion and mercy to all creation. Our calling is to imitate God, or calling on the language of Genesis 1, we who are made in the image of God, are to ‘image’ in our behaviour the behaviour of God. We are to show compassion and mercy to all creation. We are to forgive sins – and not hold grudges. This may mean letting go of privileges or rights or possessions or land, that we previously valued more than our love for our neighbour. We are to heal broken relationships and mend what we have damaged. This includes making peace with those we deem our enemies but also establishing right relationships with those we have abused.

Some of these are inter human relationships such as our failure to ensure our young people have access to loving families, to accessible education, to green spaces, secure homes and safe streets. Or our failure to provide loving homes and attentive care for our elderly citizens. Or our failure to take any responsibility for those in other lands affected by colonial oppression, climate change etc.

Some of these are relationships with wildlife, and here we have clearly failed when we see and measure the extent to which populations have declined and species have become extinct. Only this week did I read that one in in nine migratory birds are threatened with extinction and 45% of migratory species such as cuckoos, turtle doves and Arctic terns are in decline, which are overwhelmingly caused by humans and include the intensification of farming, unsustainable hunting, pollution, invasive species and global heating. (1)

Some of these are relationships with domesticated creatures, hens forced to live severely curtailed lives (often not more than 6 weeks for a bird that could live as many years) in cramped lives devoid of access to the natural world; cows that must give birth annually only to have their baby removed within hours, and who may have their own lives prematurely curtailed after 3 or 4 years.

Some of those are relationships with ecosystems such as soils which we pollute with herbicides and pesticides, and rivers that we pollute with a similar cocktail of chemicals to which we add sewage and industrial waste. Or with ancient woodlands and tropical forest which we have cleared to replace them with monocultures of Sitka fir, palm oil and soya beans for yet more cattle fodder.

We are to redeem life which must include restoring lives that we have damaged – lives not just of people but of plants and animals, of river systems and marine environments, of the air we breath and the water we drink.

We are to satisfy the needs of all our neighbours – ensuring food and homes, and environments within which to thrive. Ensuring provision for health, for education, and opportunities for fulfilling work. Ensuring a fair sharing of wealth and resources.

We are to act righteously and ensure justice for all. And it’s not that we don’t know what is needed!! And it’s not that we can’t do this!! We have the wealth and the resources globally to ensure everyone can live sustainably. We have the knowledge and the skills to effect this. We have enough visionaries and prophets to be able to visualise this as a reality. What we seem to lack is the will! We are so reluctant to share our wealth, to change our lifestyles, to adapt our diets, to forgive and make peace, to pursue justice and ensure restoration.

Here we need to turn again to our faith, to studying and drawing strength from scripture, from the prayer and practice that draws us closer to Jesus, following more closely his way, for studying the book of nature and realising and imbuing the love of our creator. We must let this power is into action – for action is needed!

Action cannot be a nice extra. Actions cannot be what someone else does. Action cannot wait until everyone steps forwards. !

We must make the changes in our own lives, to speak out where God’s will is ignored, where error and damage persist, to help others and to receive their love and help in return – do it now, for that is to act in the image of God.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/sep/11/migratory-birds-species-threatened-extinction-decline-global-report?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Genesis 50:15-21

Realising that their father was dead, Joseph’s brothers said, “What if Joseph still bears a grudge against us and pays us back in full for all the wrong that we did to him?” So they approached Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this instruction before he died, ‘Say to Joseph: I beg you, forgive the crime of your brothers and the wrong they did in harming you.’ Now therefore please forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. Then his brothers also wept, fell down before him, and said, “We are here as your slaves.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid! Am I in the place of God? Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today. So have no fear; I myself will provide for you and your little ones.” In this way he reassured them, speaking kindly to them.

Psalm 103: 1-13

1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, *
and all that is within me, bless his holy Name.

2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, *
and forget not all his benefits.

3 He forgives all your sins *
and heals all your infirmities;

4 He redeems your life from the grave *
and crowns you with mercy and loving-kindness;

5 He satisfies you with good things, *
and your youth is renewed like an eagle’s.

6 The Lord executes righteousness *
and judgment for all who are oppressed.

7 He made his ways known to Moses *
and his works to the children of Israel.

8 The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, *
slow to anger and of great kindness.

9 He will not always accuse us, *
nor will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, *
nor rewarded us according to our wickedness.

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, *
so is his mercy great upon those who fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, *
so far has he removed our sins from us.

13 As a father cares for his children, *
so does the Lord care for those who fear him.

Romans 14:1-12

Welcome those who are weak in faith, but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgment on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. Who are you to pass judgment on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.

We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

Why do you pass judgment on your brother or sister? Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For it is written,

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,
and every tongue shall give praise to God.”

So then, each of us will be accountable to God.

Matthew 18:21-35

Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.

“For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Green Tau issue 123

22nd May 2026

Where as agents of change are we most effective?

I believe it is a Christian calling to be an agent for change. Indeed it is a necessary part of bringing in the Kingdom of God here on Earth. But bringing an agent for change is not exclusively a Christian activity – people from all different backgrounds wish to see change that makes the world a better place.

This week I have been involved in three different situations where I have been endeavouring to spur action that will address the climate and biodiversity poly-crises.

Parish Annual Church Meeting

The first was the parish’s Annual Church Meeting (we are a team ministry with three churches). Not a large turnout given we have an electoral role of over 200. The fact that we are again running a deficit of £15,000 did not unduly concern those present. Was this indifference, complacency or a feeling that it wasn’t problem that none of us as individuals could address?

I spoke under AOB about the urgency of the climate and biodiversity crises and proposed a PCC sub group to help us focus on this. I suggested a proviso that such a group should only be formed if at least two people from each church were willing to join – otherwise the group could be always fighting a loosing battle against indifference. It did spark conversation – and objections – with the conclusion that there wasn’t a sufficient desire for this policy. There was the sense that the issue wasn’t that important, and that equally the climate was too big and too complicated an issue for us to deal with.

Shell AGM

On Tuesday I went to the Shell AGM which is now held in a hotel at Heathrow Terminal 5 to prevent attendees from having to encounter protestors on their way into the meeting. Inside security was very intense – thorough bag and body checks – and during the meeting security guards were it o my on the doors but sat at each end of each row of chairs. Separated from us by a 6 foot wall, the Board sat on a raised platform. After brief speeches applauding Shell’s successes by the chairman Andrew Mackenzie and CEO Wael Sawan, the three and half hours of the meeting were dedicated to questions from the floor. Most of these were critical of Shell, questioning their policy of expanding oil and gas production, their failure to make good the environmental damage of oil production in the Niger Delta, their response to staff welfare and to whistleblowers, their contribution to the ongoing climate crisis and to the demise of AMOC. (My question is included below).

The Board’s response was largely that Shell is a good business that ensures a secure flow of energy at a competitive price, that meets consumer demand. They argued that their products were low carbon – having reduced the scope 1 and 2 emissions linked to their upstream production. They contended that their products were essential for both industry and for underpinning renewable energy systems – and that therefore it was essential that they increase production for the benefit of all.

The Board members were clearly convinced that their views about the future, about the cause and urgency of climate crises, and the importance of fossil fuels, were correct. Like most of us, I guess they pick and choose which scientific reports they read, which scenarios they believe. But I hope that having heard all that we on the other side of the floor had to say, they might at least be prompted to re-examine the evidence.

Rosebank Die-in

On Wednesday I joined Christian Climate Action’s die-in outside the Treasury. For the last two plus years, CCA along with other groups have been campaigning to persuade the government not to license for production the Rosebank oilfield. Whilst the decision finally rests with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, the Treasury also has an interest in the decision – both because the project would be underpinned by subsidies from the government and because once operational, there would be tax revenue on any profits.

The action was die-in which meant that a number of us lay on the pavement wrapped in shrouds (sheets). Banners proclaimed our demands and two activists explained the reason for the action, highlighting the impact that drilling Rosebank would have on the climate and in particular on people’s lives – or rather loss there of. The whole action was witnessed by members of the press. Subsequent press releases included mention on Christian Premier Radio and others. (1)

So where as agents are we most effective?

Is it by working for change within our local community? Although here people will argue that as individuals there actions will make no difference.

Is it by challenging the big businesses whose products are the cause so much of the world’s troubles?

Although here, the business leaders say that they are only responding to consumer demand.

Is it by challenging government departments who have the power to mandate change?

Although here ministers say they must respond to what the electorate (or rather that part of the electorate that is vocal) wants.

Perhaps the answer is to be found in the words of António Guterres, United Nations Secretary-General, that we must all do ‘Everything, everywhere, all at once’ if we are going to break the cycle of ‘It’s not for me to act’!

My Question

I am one of the group from Christian Climate Action who hold a weekly vigil outside your headquarters. We spend the hour praying for the wellbeing of the planet we share, for the people and the different ecosystems, we pray for the people passing by, for the staff going in and out of the building, for the security staff, and in particular we pray for you who have the responsibility for running the business, for the shareholders and financiers, in the belief that a better business model is possible – one that protects the environment, works for the common good and ensures a sustainable future for generations to come.

Last year I asked how morally you felt able to pursue a business that was destroying the planet in which we depend for our survival. Your answer was along the lines that business is in essence amoral. Yet if business is both part of economy and part of society, morality surely has a role to play. Simply to pursue profits with no regard for the impact your business has on the health of the planet, on the sustainability of life, on the wellbeing of generations to come, is surely not good business.

What I really want to know is when you will stop extracting oil and gas, and rather develop safe and secure renewable energy?

https://www.thecanary.co/uk/news/2026/05/20/christian-climate-protesters-rosebank/

https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/christian-climate-activists-stage-treasury-die-in-against-oilfield-expansion

https://christianclimateaction.org/category/press/

https://www.alamy.com/london-uk-20-may-2026-christian-climate-action-stage-a-theatrical-protest-outside-the-treasury-against-the-proposed-rosebank-oil-field-a-priest-poured-fake-oil-on-activists-in-shrouds-staging-a-die-in-and-wearing-spoof-death-certificates-marked-cause-of-death-rosebank-symbolizing-victims-of-climate-change-the-project-critics-say-would-threaten-both-emission-targets-and-marine-ecosystems-a-decision-about-rosebank-which-sits-off-the-coast-of-scotland-and-is-the-largest-unexploited-oil-field-in-the-uk-is-expected-from-government-soon-credit-ron-fassbenderalamy-live-news-image733098769.html

Feast of Christ the King

23rd November 2025

Reflection with readings below

Each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask that God’s kingdom come on Earth as in Heaven. This is to ask that God should reign on Earth, that God’s rule should prevail here on Earth. This would be a transformation of the systems of power and authority that we see. God’s rule has the best interests of the poor and vulnerable at heart. God’s rule encourages cooperation and the sharing of resources. It engenders love and friendship between everyone. It engenders peace and harmony. Today we celebrate the Feast of Christ the King for as the last Sunday of the Church’s year it is when we reflect on the culmination of Jesus’s ministry – the establishing of God’s rule here on Earth.

For the people Jeremiah was writing for, were in a no win situation – either to be overrun by the Babylonian Empire or to be taken over by the Egyptian Empire. Jeremiah places the fault with the nation’s leaders. They are more concerned for their own well being and safety, and have failed in their work of caring for, protecting and keeping the people together in community. Jesus himself will preach the same message when he castigates those in authority for having as little concern for their people as a hired hand hand has for the sheep – and will assert his own role as the Good Shepherd.

Are our leaders today following the example of the good or of the bad shepherds? Do our government ministers have our best interests at heart or are they more focus on popularity in the polls? Do they care for migrants, for those seeking a safe place to live? Do they care for those already committed to working here, who as yet have no citizenship rights? Do they care whether or not the most vulnerable, and the poorest, actually have enough to live good healthy lives? Do they care enough to ensure that our children have the best start in life, or that our elderly can live free of worry in their old age? Or do they care more for those with large incomes, those who can successfully lobby for their attention, or who can manipulate the markets?

And what of the national governments involved with COP30? Are they willing to care for not just the people in their own countries but for the wellbeing of people across the world? The climate crisis doesn’t recognise national boundaries so unless they work together we will instead all suffer.

And what too of those in positions of power that are not democratically elected? The CEOs of commercial organisations, the fund managers controlling vast portions of economic wealth, or the lobbyists and influencers who increasingly determine the direction of travel governments. Yet again, the number of lobbyists representing the interests of the fossil fuel industries at COP30 has risen: 1in 25 attendees is such a lobbyist. Their numbers exceed the delegates from the Philippines, and equally those from Jamaica – both being nations recovering from extreme weather events driven by climate change.

The world is full of ‘bad shepherds’.

As Christians we need to follow Jeremiah’s example and call out the abuse and misuse of power wherever we find it – and by the same token that means we should have ears and eyes open to what is happening in the world and be ready to ask the awkward questions so that such wrong doing does not happen unreported. As Christians we need to challenge the systems that allow people to exercise and misuse power in this way. And as Christians, we should be standing up for the needs as well as for the rights of the vulnerable and isolated.

Yes these tasks can seem impossible, but with God as our strength and Jesus as our guide, we can and should do the best we can. It may mean doggedly reading the news and other reports even when this feels overwhelming. It may mean tediously writing letters and signing petitions. It may mean going out in the cold and wet to join vigils and protest marches (but these also come with wonderful times of camaraderie, with well earned breaks for coffee and cake, and with amazing encounters with amazing people). It may mean boycotting favourite foods or products – we do have significant power as consumers when we work together. It may mean changing our lifestyles to show solidarity with others and to be living examples of what the Kingdom of Heaven may look like.

As we prepare for the start of the new Church year, can we embrace Advent as a time to reflect on and renew our commitment to the coming of the Kingdom of God?

Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.

The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: “The Lord is our righteousness.”

The Song of Zechariah Luke 1: 68-79

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *
he has come to his people and set them free.

He has raised up for us a mighty saviour, *
born of the house of his servant David.

Through his holy prophets he promised of old,

that he would save us from our enemies, *
from the hands of all who hate us.

He promised to show mercy to our fathers *
and to remember his holy covenant.

This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,

Free to worship him without fear, *
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.

You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,

To give his people knowledge of salvation *
by the forgiveness of their sins.

In the tender compassion of our God *
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,

To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, *
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.

Colossians 1:11-20

May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers– all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.

Luke 23:33-43

When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!” The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!” But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” He replied, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”

Trinity Sunday

16th June 2025

Reflection with readings below

Trinity Sunday is a celebration of the mystery of God. Human understanding of God is always going to be limited and incomplete because God is always going to be so much more and so much greater than we can imagine or understand. So we should not feel foolish or hopeless if we feel do not understand God as well as the ‘experts’ but at the same time we should not narrow our search for understanding or simply appreciating the character and nature of God.

Trinity Sunday in particular celebrates God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit – three different but interconnected and united aspects of God. And today’s readings touch in that range and diversity of experiencing God. The readings also show us how integral to and engaged with, is God’s relationship with the Earth. And that points us to the benefit we can gain by studying, by paying attention to the Earth and all that God has created – for that too will enlarge and deepened our understanding of, our relationship with God. We might them reflect that Jesus came to save the world – that is to save not just humans but the whole of creation.

Looking around the world and at the poly crises we face – loss of biodiversity, climate change, conflict, social injustice, depletion of resources – we might reread the passage from Proverbs and realise how we have failed to pay attention to God’s wisdom, how we have failed to understand – and to put into practice – what wisdom has to teach us about living in harmony with all that God has created.

When we look at the conflict in Gaza and in Ukraine, can we reflect how in the natural world (ie the world not dominated by humans) different plants and animals benefit from living alongside each other, thriving together such that successful stable ecosystems are those with the greatest diversity of species. Which is not to deny the predation of some creatures on others, but the overall outcome is one of balance and harmony. But in conflict zones we see humans either wanting to eradicate the other or, motivated by greed, wanting to extract more than their fair share of resources. There is no system in place to help nations and communities understand each other, to value what gifts and skills they have to share, and how by cooperation they might all thrive.

When we look at polluted waters, we see how we as humans have not understood how rivers and seas work, how delicately balanced are their ecosystems, how flooding them with pollutants damages not just life in the water but also the ability of the river or marine ecosystem to protect against floods, droughts and storms. For example, if pollution kills the wildlife – the plants and birds and worms – that create and sustain the mudflats, then the mudflats break down and can no longer absorb excess waters during times of flood, nor protect the land behind during times of storm tides.

Celebrating Trinity Sunday, let us acknowledge God as Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer.

Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31

Does not wisdom call,
and does not understanding raise her voice?

On the heights, beside the way,
at the crossroads she takes her stand;

beside the gates in front of the town,
at the entrance of the portals she cries out:

“To you, O people, I call,
and my cry is to all that live.

The Lord created me at the beginning of his work,
the first of his acts of long ago.

Ages ago I was set up,
at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

When there were no depths I was brought forth,
when there were no springs abounding with water.

Before the mountains had been shaped,
before the hills, I was brought forth–

when he had not yet made earth and fields,
or the world’s first bits of soil.

When he established the heavens, I was there,
when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

when he made firm the skies above,
when he established the fountains of the deep,

when he assigned to the sea its limit,
so that the waters might not transgress his command,

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,
then I was beside him, like a master worker;

and I was daily his delight,
rejoicing before him always,

rejoicing in his inhabited world
and delighting in the human race.”

Psalm 8

1 O Lord our Sovereign, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!

2 Out of the mouths of infants and children *
your majesty is praised above the heavens.

3 You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, *
to quell the enemy and the avenger.

4 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, *
the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,

5 What are humans that you should be mindful of them? *
mortals that you should seek them out?

6 You have made them but little lower than the angels; *
you adorn the, with glory and honour;

7 You give them mastery over the works of your hands; *
you put all things under his feet:

8 All sheep and oxen, *
even the wild beasts of the field,

9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, *
and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.

10 O Lord our Sovereign, *
how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Romans 5:1-5

Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.

John 16:12-15

Jesus said to the disciples, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”

Counting on … Day 59

9th May 2025

Another way of demonstrating the collective power of individuals, is through a march or a vigil. Christian Climate Action regulalry organises vigils in different parts of the UK, usually outside a significant building such as both the UK and Scottish Parliaments, branches of Barclays Bank, Shell’s HQ, Lloyds of London. The focus of these vigils is both to pray for change and to public ally highlight that need for change.

Other campaigning groups organise both marches and rallies – this July a large number of different climate and nature focuses groups will be joining for a mass lobby outside Parliament to press for the enactment of the Climate and Nature Bill – https://greenchristian.org.uk/act-now-change-forever-lobby-of-parliament/

Participating in such events is a good way for us to show collectively how many people are concerned about the climate and biodiversity crises.

Counting on … Day 56

6th May 2025

System change is vital if we are to contain and constrain the climate crisis. Individuals can help bring about system change. We can use our votes to elect a government that understands and will pursue system change. We can write to our MPs and press them to bring about the changes we need to see. We can sign petitions – targeting either MPs or business corporations- again pressing for change.

(We can also write follow up messages saying thank you when change does happen).

As regards wiring to your MP, personalised letters are more effective but you may want to start with a ready-made template such as this one from Hubbub –

https://hubbub.org.uk/how-to-write-to-your-mp-about-climate-change-a-template

Or this from WWF –

http://assets.wwf.org.uk/downloads/how_to_write_to_your_mp.pdf

The more you read and the more groups you interact with, the greater the number of petitions that will land in your in-tray- but do they work?

The following observations comes from the Welsh Government:

“Petitioning is one of the most direct ways to suggest how something could change. Petitions can:

Raise awareness of an issue;
Bring about a change in Welsh Government policy or a different way of delivering services;
Propose or influence a new law;
Prompt a Senedd Committee to hold an inquiry;
Lead to, or influence, a debate in the Senedd;
Prompt a Committee or individual Members of the Senedd to take further action themselves, for instance by asking questions”. https://petitions.senedd.wales/help

Friends of the Earth offer a good selection of petitions as a starting point –

https://friendsoftheearth.uk/latest/actions

Counting on … Day 55

5th May 2025

With the best will in the world, individual life style changes are not going to single handedly, curb carbon emissions and limit global temperature rises to a safe limit. As individuals our actions are constrained by the systems within which we live – be that tax policies; whether subsidies are made available for public transport or for fossil fuels; whether those who emit carbon dioxide have to also pay for the damage caused ( a polluters pay policy); whether manufacturing (and any associated carbon dioxide emissions) is relocated to a third country; whether beneficial lifestyle changes are promoted by the government etc. Therefore an important factor in halting the climate crisis is whether or not governments and business implement systemic change.

Last January the World Economic Forum produced a report, The Bold Measures to Close the Climate Action Gap: A Call for Systemic Change by Governments and Corporations, which calls for ‘systemic actions and …… outlines the urgency and necessity of drastic action from both governments and corporations to combat climate change effectively and deliver on commitments. It emphasises the need for governments to level the playing field for green solutions and proposes practical ways for companies to achieve outsized impact in their ecosystems.’

Counting on … Day 52

30th April 2025

Becoming more informed, you will become aware of the many lifestyles changes that we can make to begin to address the climate crisis.

Make My Money Matter argued that the most impactful change we can make is to switch to a green pension provider – ie one that doesn’t fund fossil fuels. All commercial undertakings including fossil fuel exploration and extraction rely on finance and the operations of the financial sector – whether that is banking that enables the continuing day to day, week to week, and year year transactions of ongoing the business;; insurance protection for every aspect of the business; investment in expansion and new enterprises; maintaining share values and dividend payments etc. Many pension funds – as well as banks, mortgage and insurance companies – are key players in ensuring the flow of such finances.

Although Make My Money Matter closed this year, their website is, for the current year, a good source of information on pensions and banking.

Make My Money Matter

Ethical Consumer is another good source of information on matter financial – subscribing enables you to access their reports in full

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/money-finance/shopping-guide/ethical-pensions

And for climate friendly banking options – https://justmoney.org.uk/the-big-bank-switch/

Counting on … Day 50

28th April 2025

The ‘silent majority’ – those who believe that the climate crisis is serious but yet do nothing – covers 89% of the population globally (1)

If that group could be persuaded or enabled to take action, the consequences would be dramatic. What holds people back is

* a fear of impotence (what I do won’t make a difference),

* a fear of social isolation (people won’t respect what I do and may mock me)

* a fear of loosing out (if I change, my standard of living will drop vis a vis my peers)

* lack of social and economic support (I can’t make any change because the system is set against it eg I can’t give up driving because there is no local reliable/ affordable public transport).

And given all the above, there is an equally important question ‘What should I do and where should I start?’ which can feel so overwhelming that doing nothing seems a reasonable response.

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/apr/22/activate-climate-silent-majority-support-supercharge-action?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other