Greetings!

I began writing some notes about what to include in my next blog post, such as what I’ve been doing on my course and what’s going on at Yeldall Manor. But before I update you on those things, I’ve decided to designate a post to some thoughts and feelings about our climate crisis, having joined several thousand others at a recent demonstration and mass lobby in London (#TheTimeIsNow).

I am convinced that the issue of climate change is a matter of urgent attention. We can’t bury our heads in the sand any more. It seems with increasing evidence, extreme weather conditions, and climate related devastation especially in developing countries, that it is impossible to deny the seriousness of the situation any longer. But what are we, as individuals, faith communities, and a nation, doing about it? I fear, not enough.

I am concerned about this because I love people and nature, I want to pass on a beautiful world to future generations, and because, as a Christian, I believe that God gave us the responsibility to care for His creation. “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” (Genesis 2:15) “You shall not pollute the land in which you live…. You shall not defile the land in which you live, in which I also dwell.” (Numbers 35:33-34)

I was struck at a talk I attended in London last week by the graph below, which portrays the impact that some of our personal choices have on our contribution to climate change. The largest impact choices, apart from having less offspring(!), are all around transport and diet – rather more costly to change than diligently doing our recycling and using energy saving light bulbs (which, still important, are low impact choices). Apparently, a return flight to the USA produces the same amount of carbon as the average person will emit in 2 months. “The four actions that most substantially decrease an individual’s carbon footprint are: eating a plant-based diet, avoiding air travel, living car-free, and having smaller families”. I’m quite pleased to say that I am having a flight-free year this year, I don’t own a car, I don’t have any children, and have decided to become a flexitarian (eating minimal meat)!

I will get off my high horse soon. But can I leave you to pick one challenge for you and your family in the area of transport and diet? If you eat meat every day, how about choosing to go veggie one or two days a week? If you’re travelling under two or three miles, how about get your bike out or walk (especially in this lovely weather!)? And before you book your flights, are there places closer to home in which you could holiday, or could you take the train? Feel free to pass this post on to friends and family – as you can tell, I’m keen to get the message out!

Let’s pull together on this. TheTimeIsNow!

“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds.” (Psalm 148:7-10)

Thanks for listening/reading!

With love,

Rachel