20121128_PD

Source: BBC Radio 4: Prayer for the Day

URL: N/A

Date: 28/11/2012

Event: Taking climate change seriously, "if we're to heal the single planet we all share"

People:

• Alison Twaddle: Church of Scotland elder

Alison Twaddle: Good morning. I've been talking recently to people in Africa and the Caribbean about their experience of climate change, as research for a report for the Church of Scotland's General Assembly. Arguments will continue whether major weather events like Hurricane Sandy are a direct result of human influence on the climate. What is certain is that it resulted in considerable destruction of property and loss of life. The damage we saw in our news programmes was shocking, but nothing like as horrendous as the damage we did not see, in the Caribbean.

While resilient New Yorkers are now getting back to normality, Haiti - one of the world's poorest countries - still needs outside aid to help rebuild homes and fight water borne diseases. It matters hugely how the wealthy nations respond to climate change. The consequences of our complacency, in going about our business without regard to the effect of our actions on other countries and on future generations, could be devastating.

However much scientists may argue over the causes, it's farmers and fishermen who are always the first to understand what's really happening. In Sub-Saharan Africa they know that the seasons are changing, and the Sun seems to be getting nearer, while fishermen in Trinidad reckon that the land is sinking.

In the developed nations, we're understandably reluctant to change our lifestyles and reduce the carbon emissions, which many scientists believe contribute to global warming. But it's something we must take seriously, if we're to heal the single planet we all share.

Creator God, we give thanks for the work of scientists, whose researches are teaching us more and more about the natural world. Help us to be better stewards of Your bountiful creation, more willing to share its resources fairly and so fulfil your commandment to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. Amen.