Hope for the Earth: Caring for Our Shared Planet

1. Hope for the Earth? Does it matter what type of future we leave for future generations? Andy Lester Head of Conservation, A Rocha UK

2. God created an incredibly complex planet in which all things naturally hold together Colos 1;15-17 God loves the world he created John 3:16, Ps 65:9-13 and Job 38: 25-41 God created us to care for the planet Gen 8 and 9, Lev 25:1-5, It has gone wrong because of us Amos 8 God has a future for it Rom 8:19-21, Rev 21:1 Should we care?

3. Hope for the earth? What are the top five planetary issues we should care about…… Climate change Brexit and wider politics The internet disconnection Health crisis Continued loss of species

4. Climate change: Global wildlife is changing at the fastest pace in recorded history. New species are arriving on a monthly basis and upland-loving species are retreating. Sudden shocks are rapidly increasing in frequency and intensity-from salt water inundation to coastal cliff erosion Our ability to adapt is partially limited by funding- DEFRA, Grant Making Trusts and Natural England continue to lose funding. International intransigence is fuelling the fear that we could be too late to avert a catastrophe (despite incredible work by China)

5. Brexit • No clarity yet on where funding will come from for marginalised UK farming • No deal could lead to rapid suburbanisation of our rural areas • Brexit is an opportunity that could be squandered through a lack or expertise • Global insecurity could push trade deal with the UK to the back of the queue • Trade partners could insist on an import-led food industry • Brexit is a symptom of a global shift to the right, accompanied by a distrust in scientific fact.

6. Over 90% of UK households have access in 2019 (22%, 2000) • 5-15 year olds spend 15 hours a week on line (up by 1 hr 18 minutes between 2015 and 2016) • 55% of 3-5 year old have access to a tablet • 8 in10 12 year olds have a smart phone • Surveys suggest internet use is biggest cause of disconnect from nature • Source: UK Office of National Statistics The Internet Disconnection (1)

7. The internet disconnection (2) • Just 1 in 10 children under 15 regularly engage with nature (one hour or more a week) • In 1980 40% of children regularly engaged • 879 million visits to city parks were made in 2016 • 2.93 BILLION adult visits to the countryside were made in 2016; 1.51 Billion were to walk a dog! • The greatest danger is that the younger generations completely disconnect with nature…… • Sources: Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment (MENE Report) 2016-Natural England • RSPB Every Child Outdoors report (Mike Clark et al)

8. The UK health crisis • 4.1 million in UK with diabetes in 2019 • 2 in 3 people are overweight • Only 39% of men and 29% of women meet recommended exercise levels • 40,000 children are on regular anti-depressants • 8.3% of 5-15 year olds have a mental health disorder (950,000) • Sources: Diabetes UK (2017) and RSPB Every Child Outdoors report

9. Richard Louv (2005) Last Child in the Woods “Nature Deficit Disorder describes the human costs of alienation from nature. Among them: diminished use of the senses, attention difficulties and higher rates of emotional and physical illnesses.”

10. Professor David Orr (2002) Oberlin Col (US) “we have little idea of the long-term effects of excessive materialism on children…..but it is reasonable to assume it include the loss of deeper feelings and loss of identity rooted in self, relationships and place”

11. Continued loss of species Since 1960 1 in every 2 UK birds….have gone Turtle dove Nightingale European eel Swift Corn marigold European hedgehog Marsh grasshopper Hen harrier 41% of all insects 50% of birds 57% butterflies 97% of wildflowers

12. But there is real progress out there: Climate emergency declared Rewilding Membership of some conservation groups continues to grow Huge push to make Brexit good for farmers and nature (shifting subsidy to result-led incentives) Some species are doing well……..pine marten, dormouse, black grouse, great white egret, peregrine And there are some great Church initiatives……..

13. And there is real progress in A Rocha UK: • Increase a local population of at least 10 declining species in the UK (through ARUK and partner-managed land) • 7 projects are already involved in Target 10 and, house martin are using one of our boxes!!! • Establish a high quality conservation demonstration site in every UK region (though ARUK and partners) • Wild Christian programme • 1,850 registered Eco Churches…with over 500 awards given

14. Linking outdoor adventure to nature

15. Linking health, nature and the senses

16. Linking faith, worship, nature and meditation

17. Action stations………..so what next?

18. Eco Survey • Worship and teaching • Management of church buildings • Management of church land • Community and global engagement • Lifestyle

19. Eco Church Award Points

20. Call to action • PRAYER • PRACTICAL ACTION • PETITION • PERSISTENCE • PRAISE

21. It’s over to you………. What should we be doing more of? What should we be doing less of? What does your church have that could be a unique contributor? What could you do to personally to contribute?