Monday 4^th November 2019 19.30 – 20.45 pm

Speaker: Professor Meric Srokosz

National Oceanography Centre in Southampton

Human activity is having profound effects on the world’s oceans with long-term consequences for climate change. What should be the Christian response?

Two thirds of the surface of our blue planet is covered by water. Human beings have used this resource for thousands of years. Professor Srokosz will explain how the oceans are being affected by human-induced global warming. Changes in the pattern of ocean currents will alter the climate in different regions of the world while rising sea levels could have a catastrophic effect on many coastal communities and cities.

From a biblical perspective, Professor Srokosz will ask - what is the relationship between the oceans of the blue planet and its stewardship by humankind? His theme is based on his recent book. “Blue Planet, Blue God: the Bible and the Sea”, which he wrote together with Rebecca Watson, an Old Testament scholar. The talk will be set in the context of the bible's narrative regarding the relationship between mankind and the natural world. It will try to reconcile this biblical perspective with the urgent issues raised by our scientific understanding of the changes that humans are causing on the planet.

The expression “blue God" perhaps reflects our sadness and despair at the way that we have damaged the planet’s ecosystem in recent decades. The talk and discussion will focus on possible Christian responses to the many issues that will be raised by climate change in the years to come.

Meric Srokosz is an oceanographer based at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. His research includes the study of the Agulhas and Madagascar current systems, observing the oceans from space using satellite data. He is the coordinator of a joint UK-US programme that examines the potential slowdown in circulation of the North Atlantic current due to climate change. From 2012-2015 he was Associate Director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion, Cambridge.

The Meeting Place, Holy Trinity Church,

Trinity Street, Norwich NR2 2BL

(car park access off Essex St, NR2 2BJ)

All welcome No booking required Retiring collection

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Contact Professor Nick Brewin (07901 884114); sfnorfolk1@gmail.com