Tag: Sustainability

Proper 13, 9th Sunday after Trinity 

2nd August 2026

Reflection with readings below

It is God’s desire to feed and meet the needs of all that lives. That is the recurring message of the prophets and the gospels. It seems so obvious and logical that God, having created such a diversity of life – plants, creatures, humans – would wish to ensure that they all were fed, cared for and nourished. It is certainly true that parents desire the best for their children, that gardeners aim to create the best environment for their plants, that pet owners seek the best for their cats, dogs, goldfish etc.

Why then do governments not do the same for their citizens? Here in the UK and across the world we see many going un- or underfed. We see people inadequately houses, afforded insufficient health care and mediocre education. We see people ill-provided with access to green spaces and recreational facilities. We see people who are marginalised because of inadequate public transport. We even see bus and train drivers lacking access to toilet facilities!!

And yet at the same time we see governments supporting the rich, whether they are individuals or corporations. We see governments creating rules and sustaining systems that perpetuate inequality and injustice. We see governments watching, with complacency, the rich consuming at the expense of the poor, manipulating systems to meet their needs, and polluting the environment with no comeback.

The gospel message, and therefore the Christian calling, is to challenge systems and traditions, governments and vested interests, that fail to care for everyone – including every living thing – fairly. We should be challenging the assumption that the markets will ensure fair play and a fair distribution of resources to meet needs. We should be challenging the focus on profits, on unending growth, on the diversion of resources into the control of a minority. 

This week Shell revealed that their profits for the last quarter have more than doubled to £10billion for the second quarter. Wael Sawan, the CEO, cannot be unaware of the crises facing so many people. Indeed he commented “These are difficult times, undoubtedly, and I think the government, from everything we pick up publicly, is trying to do what it can to be able to support. And [the] UK is our headquarters, is our home, and we will offer any support that we can to the government as they try to navigate these difficult waters” BUT at the same time urging for greater support for drilling in the North Sea – an activity that only fuels extreme temperatures and wildfires – and doing everything to avoid further taxation of their profits.

God has created an amazing world with the capacity to feed and sustain all its inhabitants – but only if we don’t abuse the various ecosystems and seek only our own wellbeing. In today’s gospel we often highlight the amazing generosity that means everyone is fed, but do not so readily focus on the fact that no one is greedy, no one tries to hang onto the excess for their own profit. In the parallel story in Exodus, the generous gift of mana comes with the warning that the people should only gather what they need for that day; greed is punished by mould and maggots. We need take only what we need and only what is sustainable. We need to normalise a culture that expects resources to be shared and used according to need and not gain or greed. 

Last Thursday was Earth Overshoot Day, the day on which we have collectively consumed a whole year’s worth of the Earth’s renewable good and services. We cannot go on burning oil and gas and expecting the Earth to absorb the excess. We cannot go on extracting more and more water from rivers and aquifers and expect them to refill at a faster and faster rate. We cannot going on eating meat whilst expect nature to squeeze into an ever smaller margin of the land. We cannot throw away more and more plastic and expect the oceans to simply absorb the waste. We cannot continue to indulge our consumerist society and expect the poor and vulnerable to simply cope better on less and less. A good life is not measured by how much you earn or how much you spend, but by how you love your neighbour.

Loving our neighbour is not always about baking them a cake or paying their medical bills. More often it is about us changing our lifestyle so that we don’t damage their chance of a healthy, happy life. Loving our neighbour is very much about reducing not just our carbon footprint but our environmental footprint. Loving our neighbour is about flying less, about switching from a gas boiler to a heat pump, about opting for active travel, eating substantially less meat and dairy, making things last rather than frequently upgrading and replacing. Loving our neighbour is also about pressing for system change whether by our local authority – to plant more trees, retrofit homes, improve public transport and cycling infrastructure. Whether by our government  – to phase out fossil fuels, invest in grid infrastructure, mandate prioritisation of nature, promote uptake of and access to healthier diets. Whether by businesses and institutions – do they know what you, the consumer, actually wants as opposed to what they want you to want?

Loving our neighbour – and showing our love for God – is about living within the sustainable limits of the world’s ecosystems, and ensuring a just sharing of and access to resources. Looking again at today’s story of the feeding of the five thousand, we see how team work and cooperation are key in the success of the event.

Isaiah 55:1-5

Thus says the Lord:

“Ho, everyone who thirsts,
come to the waters; 

and you that have no money,
come, buy and eat! 

Come, buy wine and milk
without money and without price.

Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread,
and your labor for that which does not satisfy? 

Listen carefully to me, and eat what is good,
and delight yourselves in rich food. 

Incline your ear, and come to me;
listen, so that you may live. 

I will make with you an everlasting covenant,
my steadfast, sure love for David. 

See, I made him a witness to the peoples,
a leader and commander for the peoples. 

See, you shall call nations that you do not know,
and nations that do not know you shall run to you, 

because of the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel,
for he has glorified you.” 

Psalm 145: 8-9, 15-22

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

9 The Lord is loving to everyone *
and his compassion is over all his works.

15 The Lord upholds all those who fall; *
he lifts up those who are bowed down.

16 The eyes of all wait upon you, O Lord, *
and you give them their food in due season.

17 You open wide your hand *
and satisfy the needs of every living creature.

18 The Lord is righteous in all his ways *
and loving in all his works.

19 The Lord is near to those who call upon him, *
to all who call upon him faithfully.

20 He fulfils the desire of those who fear him; *
he hears their cry and helps them.

21 The Lord preserves all those who love him, *
but he destroys all the wicked.

22 My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; *
let all flesh bless his holy Name for ever and ever.

Romans 9:1-5

I am speaking the truth in Christ– I am not lying; my conscience confirms it by the Holy Spirit– I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my own people, my kindred according to the flesh. They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises; to them belong the patriarchs, and from them, according to the flesh, comes the Messiah, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.

Matthew 14:13-21

Jesus withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Tending the earth for all

18th July 2026

Trust in the Lord and be doing good; dwell in the land and be nourished with truth.
  Let your delight be in the Lord and he will give you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in him, and he will bring it to pass. 

Psalm 37:3-5

You Lord are the bread of life;

feed us with your wisdom.

Our meat is to do the Father’s  will.

guide us in all we do

Whenever we eat or drink

Let it be to the glory of God.

A Reading  – Mark 4:3-8

 “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain.  Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” 

Pause for reflection

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
    and do not return there until they have watered the earth,

So may we store water for when and for whoever needs it,

and safeguard those living with the threat of flooding.


As the earth brings forth and sprouts,
    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

So may we harvest what is needed, 

sharing the bounty so no one goes hungry.

So shall God’s word be that goes forth; it shall not return empty,
but it shall accomplish that which is purposed
    and succeed in the thing for which it is sent.

May we pay attention to God’s word,

 following the ways of wisdom that God desires 

for the wellbeing of all creation.

For as the earth brings forth its shoots,

May we protect the fertility of the soil,

not polluting it with chemicals nor stripping it of nourishment.

And as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,

May we treasure those who tend and farm the land,

paying fair wages and sharing profits.

So the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
    to spring up before all the nations:

May we welcome God’s kingdom with all our being,

following God’s law with hands, hearts and voices.

Based on Isaiah 55:10,11 and 61:11


The Grace

Bread for sharing

11th July 2026

Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone? Matthew 7:9

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease. Genesis 8:22 

Heavenly Parent, mother and father of us all,

May you be ever honoured by your children.

For you are the one who caused the earth to bring forth seed bearing plants –

wheat and barley, oats and rye and all manner of grains. 

You are the one who provides the staff of life.

Hallowed be your name!

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55: 10 -11

Heavenly God, creator of soul and body,

May you be ever honoured by your creation.

From you comes wisdom and insight 

so that we may learn how to love you and our neighbour.

You are the one who provides the staff of life.

May your kingdom come!

Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. Matthew 14:19-20

Heavenly Redeemer, sustainer of life, 

May you be ever honoured by your people.

You provided manna for the long years in the wilderness,

And the harvests of the earth are sufficient to feed the whole world,

such that all should have the means to thrive and flourish.

May your will be done!

So we pray:

Teach us today and every day 

to handle bread with respect.

Teach us today and every day 

to appreciate that bread is the means of life.

Teach us today and every day 

to take only what we need.

Teach us today and every day

 not to steal from tomorrow’s supply.

Teach us today and every day

 not to hoard what comes to us as a gift.

Teach us today and every day 

to share what you give us.

Teach us today and every day

 not to be satisfied until everyone is fed.

Amen.

Counting on 2026 …. Day 77

10th July 

This may not be so readily quantifiable, but there is, I believe, ‘joy in enough’. The consumerist model that urges us to buy more, to buy bigger, and to buy more frequently does not per se makes us happy. Indeed it may cause us stress as it :

  • constantly challenges to keep up with the market ideals; 
  • fills our homes with things we must store, guard, insure etc. 
  • consumes time and many 
  • diminishes our confidence as independent beings.

Without these stresses, we can be happier, we can have more free time to spend with family and friends or out in nature, we can find pleasure in making things for ourselves, and very simply we can more readily enjoy what we already have.

‘Joy in Enough’ is the name of one of Green Christian’s projects. You can find out more here – https://youtu.be/dXX9b-8j0fE?si=8e29R7zjaH6QcUk-

Or – https://greenchristian.org.uk/introduction/action/joy-in-enough/

https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ethicalcampaigns/corporate-equity-fines?utm_source=ECRA+Weekly+Newsletter&utm_campaign=6c5404e75b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_05_08-equity-fines-subs&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-52b9476e4c-320424697

Green Tau: issue 127

9th July 2026

Joining the Dots

As a child you may have done dot-to-dot puzzles. Joining together the dots in the page – in the order in which they are numbered – would reveal a picture that wasn’t obvious before.

In a world which is increasingly complicated there are just so many dots that it seems as if we can’t see the bigger picture. Joining the dots is not always straight forward as, unlike the dot-to-dot puzzles, they are not numbered. Sometimes a bit of thought and bit of reading, is sufficient to see which dots join together.

Climate Change

For example, looking at a chart showing temperature increases over the last two centuries and comparing it with a chart showing the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, it is easy to join the dots and see the connection: as carbon emissions have increased so have temperatures. A little more probing and we can see the dots that tell us that it is human activity that has caused the increase in carbon emissions, principally through the burning of fossil fuels.

It may take a little more reflection and research to see that the increase in the burning of fossil fuels is linked with each of the following –

  • an increased number of diesel and petrol vehicles on the roads,
  • an increased number of air flights
  • an increased number of coal and gas power stations – and that linked to n increased demand for electricity 
  • an increased demand for plastics and other products based on fossil fuels.

Our human lifestyle is linked via fossil fuels to climate change.

Water Shortages

Water shortages become more acute during periods and dry weather. And yes, those weather conditions and more especially changes in climate, do contribute to water shortages. But with a bit of reflection, we may find other factors at play.

  • As more people move into drier regions (eg into the south east of England) local resources will struggle to meet demand.
  • Whilst showers use less water than baths, more frequent showers and the the use of power showers, will increase demand for water. Ditto power hoses. Ditto washing machines too use substantial amounts of water – may be as much as half our daily average consumption. 
  • Agriculture is a substantial consumer of water especially rearing livestock – including the water needed to grow animal feed. 
  • Clothing manufacture including the growing of cotton in particular the dying of fabrics, is water intensive. The more clothes we buy, the greater the stress we place on water reserves.
  • Data centre use large amounts of water to cool the equipment. We don’t always think to join the dots between our use of data – streaming, online games, storing data (much of it superfluous to use), use of Siri and other AI ‘helpers’, emailing etc – and the need for data centres and the knock on effect on water (and energy) supplies.

Our lifestyle choices can seriously impact other parts of our lives.

Animal welfare

In Britain we often pride ourselves on our love for animals. We also love our traditional meals – bacon and eggs, roast beef, chicken tikka masala etc – but don’t always join the dots.

  • The hen that lays our eggs will have outlived its brother who will have been killed day one. Her own life will be about 72 weeks after which it’s laying efficiency will assign it slaughter. Had she not been a commercial hen, her life span could be 7 to 8 years.
  • The hen that becomes ‘chicken’ will have had a life of about 6 weeks before its genetically design physique and feed, will have ensured a suitable slaughter weight.
  • Similarly constricted life spans apply to dairy and beef cattle, to pigs and sheep.

Deforestation 

Deforestation is widespread across the globe and its impact on temperatures, on biodiversity, on indigenous lifestyles, on rainfall patterns and  flooding, and on carbon levels, is devastating. Across the globe we bewail the loss of these trees and implement legislation that should halt the destruction. But we don’t always join the dots.

Deforestation is driven by increasing demand for:

  • Meat – large tracts of forest are cleared to make way for cattle farms and for vast fields growing animal fodder. The majority of the feed fed to livestock in the UK is imported.
  • Biofuels – large tracts of forest are cleared to make way for bio fuel crops such as sugar cane and palm oil.  Equally disconcerting is the clearance of forests to provide wood pellets for biomass heating and power stations.
  • Mining minerals such as copper, cadmium, lithium etc which on the one hand are essential for manufacturing batteries but on the other hand often involve the destruction of forests and the pollution of the land further da aging water supplies and biodiversity.

Our lives and what we consumer can be very complicated. Sometimes we have to make choices to restrain what we consume in order that we can ensure a sustainable future for everyone. 

Trees as Good Samaritans 

4th July 2026

And the Lord God brought forth of the ground all manner of trees, fair to behold, and pleasant to eat. Genesis 2:9

You Lord, are the source of all good things: 

We praise you.

You call us to tend and care for your creation: 

May we strive to do your will.

You have made us as brothers and sisters with all that lives: 

May we live together in peace.

A story based on an idea by Jesus as recorded in Luke’s gospel. 

There once was a sojourner who, going about their daily business, was beset by disaster upon disaster: floods and drought, heatwaves and colds snaps, hunger and thirst. 

Politicians, as they passed, turned to look the other way. Church leaders buried their noses in their prayer books. The wealthy trusted money as a get-out clause.

Yet  in the midst of it all, were the trees. They kept on breathing in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen; they even helped clean the air of pollutants. They collected rain with their leaves to slow its fall, and collected more between their roots, reducing the risk of flooding. Their leaves provided shade and, as they released moisture, so they cooled the air. They caught energy from the sun and turned it into useful materials, food and even medicines. They welcomed other visitors, fauna and flora. They offered green spaces that calmed the anxious and the weary. 

Who was the good neighbour to the sojourner?

Holy God, 

we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. 

We have ignored the plight of others. 

We have not stood in solidarity with those who need help. 

Rather we have spurned those who are our neighbours.

We have cut them down in their prime.

We have cut away at their roots 

and have poisoned their lifeblood. 

Have mercy.

Have mercy,.

Heal us and have mercy. 

V/.   A reading Leviticus 23:39-41 (The Message) 

On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, after you have brought your crops in from your fields, celebrate the Feast of God for seven days. The first day is a complete rest and the eighth day is a complete rest. On the first day, pick the best fruit from the best trees; take fronds of palm trees and branches of leafy trees and from willows by the brook and celebrate in the presence of your God for seven days—yes, for seven full days celebrate it as a festival to God. Every year from now on, celebrate it in the seventh month.

God of the oak and the tamarisk, 

we praise you.

God of the palm tree and the olive, 

we praise you.

God of the fig tree and the vine, 

we praise you.

God of the cedar and the myrtle, 

we praise you.

For the wonder and beauty of trees, 

we praise you.

For leaves and shade, for seeds and fruit, 

we praise you.

For rootedness and stability, 

we praise you.

For maturity and heritage, 

we praise you.

For carbon absorbed and oxygen released, 

we praise you.

For community and interconnectedness, 

we praise you.

God of wisdom, 

teach us to understand and value 

the world you have created. 

Teach us to recognise that what you create is one family, 

that all its people, its plants and creatures, 

are our brothers and sisters.   

Teach us to love them as our neighbours, 

and give us the grace 

to receive the love they bestow on us. 

Amen.

Counting on 2026 …. Day 72

3rd July

Nothing in life is ever simple! Allwood highlights this when talking about how we trade off decisions. But this is not local carrots versus organic imports, but more about what we do when the alternative is unaffordable. He gives two examples – one at a national and one at an individual level.

“For example, nationally, if we can’t afford to invest in new infrastructure for electric freight, we must learn to live with less freight.” 

“In households, if we cannot afford an electric car, then we need to start voicing our concern now, to suppliers and to local politicians, to ask for help on our journey to phasing our use of petrol cars, by supporting cost reductions or better provision of public transport.” (Both p. 134) 

Why? Because the environment, the climate cannot accommodate us producing yet more emissions. If we don’t stop, the cost will be temperature increases approaching 4C and the consequences of extreme heat + droughts + severe cold + poor harvests and food shortages + disruption to transport + more climate induced medical emergencies + failing public services etc. 

The trade off tells us that the cost of not cutting emissions will always be more than we can afford, and that restraint will always be the better option.

Might there be merit in deferring action in the hope that things might improve, or that new technologies may come long? Allwood tackles this response through out the book: and no, the science tells us things will not improve if we wait, and no, there is no new technology that is going to be available at scale and in time to address the crisis. 2050 is only 23 years away and in the time scale of technological developments that is minuscule.

Counting on 2026 …. Day 68

29th June

The key message of Allwood and Davison’s book (1) is the need for us all as consumers to show restraint. If we are to live in a world where temperatures increases stay below 2C we absolutely have to cut greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. To do this we have to consume less  of everything that produces these emissions and less of most things that use electricity as we will not be able to install sufficient capacity in electrical generation and distribution if we are to power everything currently powered by fossil fuels. 

Allwood presents us with a timeframe of action. We need to reduce our emissions by a quarter by 2028, by a half by 2035, by three quarters by 2042, and by 2050 there will need to be in place legislation that prohibits creating greenhouse gas emissions. (P129). To achieve those targets, we (ie as individuals, households and as nations) will need to begin planning now. 

It is a challenging message that needs us to radically alter our daily lifestyles. However Allwood is as clear that consuming less doesn’t mean being unhappy or having to live substandard lives. 

Over the next few days I will consider 5 key areas of change highlighted in the book.

  1. https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/promise-the-earth/31E27442471A864A6582BA751ECD239F

Counting on 2026 …. Day 64

23rd June

Justice

“‘What will it cost to make the climate safe?’ That is a question for mangers, engineers, economists and politicians, but [t]he ultimate question is ….’how much will it cost not to make the climate safe?’” (P83) This is where justice is the prevailing virtue, for rather than what will it cost me to act, it is what will it cost my neighbour/ my children/ future generations if I don’t act?

So in pursuing a liveable future, Davison writes: “Prudence looks ahead … and navigates the path. Courage spurs us on to overcome obstacles. Temperance checks us from being lured off course …  [And] justice is our goal”. (P83)

What then is justice? As a base, Davison suggests it is giving a person what they are due or conversely that they should not suffer harm or wrong doing without recompense. (P85). This can apply as much to a community as to an individual. Virtues are meant to make us better people so justice is also about us: justice should make is people who seek fairness for others. And that is what God made us for: “act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

There is no escaping the fact that as Christians we are compelled to act on climate change so that if nothing else, we can ensure justice for all our neighbours.

Counting on 2026 …. Day 63

22nd June

Temperance

If courage is the strength or virtue we need to overcome our hesitancy of acting when we would rather not, then temperance is the strength or virtue we need to overcome the temptation of doing what we know we shouldn’t do even when it seems so attractive. “If courage deals with aversion, then temperance deals with allure “ (p64)

Temperance is the virtue that helps us weigh up what is good and why is not good about the options on offer. It helps us distinguish between want and need. It helps us find the balance between too much and too little. Temperance helps to free us from false truths – more, bigger, faster, easier are not always better!

Temperance helps us exercise restraint: 

Davison reflects on the widespread practice of fasting within the Christian faith – such a during Lent. Here the practice of fasting where going without helps us to let go of distractions, enable us to focus on spiritual preparation. But Davison the reminds us that fasting for Lent may only be for 40 day where as the restraint we need to show to address climate polycrises, has to be a lifetime’s undertaking. Yet, whereas we may choose fasting in Lent that is deliberately discomforting (eg giving up chocolate), the restraint we must adopt as a complete life style change, can be such that it is pleasurable – eg having more free time for reading, eating a more tasteful diet etc. 

Davison  then draws out another analogy for us: athletes because of their love of the sport, will exercise temperance and discipline in their daily lives to ensure that they can be best athlete that they can be. Our love of God, our love of creation, will inspire such dedication in our daily lives.