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Theology of climate change… an outworking Clare Bryden 1 March 2014

Theology of climate change… an outworking Clare Bryden 1 March 2014. Authority. Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. Matthew 7:28-29.

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Theology of climate change… an outworking Clare Bryden 1 March 2014

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  1. Theology of climate change… an outworking Clare Bryden 1 March 2014

  2. Authority • Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes. • Matthew 7:28-29

  3. IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, 2013 “Warming of the climate system is unequivocal” “It is extremely likely that human influence has been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century.”

  4. One of the most disturbing things about listening to scientists studying climate change, then, is the fear in the voices and words of people not accustomed to be fearful, and the sense that generally speaking, scientists are far more worried than most of us are. We can either believe they are worried because they are foolish, easily frightened and scaremongering, or we can believe they are afraid because they are seeing things they have never seen before with implications that are terrifying, and do not understand why the rest of us are so unafraid.Sharon Astyk, 2007

  5. The media largely consists of humanities graduates. They may be able to argue the toss about Rousseau or Goethe, but they almost glory in ignorance over the most basic principles of scientific research. Also, many of them suspect that “It’s just a bunch of people in lab coats who never agree anyway.” What’s the point of scrupulous research? The specialist correspondent is sidelined in favour of a simplistic ‘big story’. It matters not whether the truth may be more complex, there are papers to be sold.Ben Goldacre, Bad Science column

  6. What about the floods?

  7. Justice • [Jesus said] ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,   because he has anointed me     to bring good news to the poor. • He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives   and recovery of sight to the blind,     to let the oppressed go free, • to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’ • Luke 4:18-19

  8. Justice? Who is responsible for global warming? Who is vulnerable to its effects? Who can afford to adapt to climate change? Who has a voice? Who has power to act? Should poor countries be denied the same living standards as the rich?

  9. Carbon emitters

  10. Mortality related to climate change

  11. Justice? Developing countries bear • over 90% of the climate change burden • 98% of the seriously affected and 99% of all deaths from weather-related disasters, • along with over 90% of the total economic losses. The 50 Least Developed Countries contribute less than 1% of global carbon emissions.

  12. Discussion • In twos or threes • What motivates you to change, and to keep going in the face of challenges? • What excuses do you use for not changing?

  13. Praxis • The greatest obstacles to action are not technical, economic or political - they are the denial strategies that we adopt to protect ourselves from unwelcome information.George Marshall, 2009

  14. Dominant myths • Things are getting better • Tomorrow will be like today, but bigger and shinier • Economic growth is good • We must keep shopping • Technology will solve all our problems • There is no alternative • You can’t stop progress • Living standards are rising • Humans are selfish and greedy by nature • The market will solve it • We’re all doomed…

  15. What’s stopping us? • Cognitive overload • Short term vs long term thinking • Rational vs emotional • Neocortex vs mammalian vs reptilian • Belief in authority figures • Investment in the present • “It’s difficult convincing a person of something when her job depends on her not believing it” • Optimism • An optimistic outlook is neurochemically self-fulfilling

  16. I’d get involved, but... • We don’t have funding • “They” won’t let us • Turf wars with other green groups • No one cares about the environment • It’s too late anyway • I don’t have the right qualifications • I don’t have the energy for it

  17. The moment of truth The time has come. The moment of truth has arrived. The world has been plunged into a crisis that is shaking its foundations and there is every indication that the crisis has only just begun and that it will deepen, and become even more threatening in the years to come. It is the KAIROS or moment of truth not only for the world but also for the Church.

  18. We as a group of theologians have been trying to understand the theological significance of this moment in our history. It is serious, very serious. …it is the KAIROS, the moment of grace and opportunity, the favourable time in which God issues a challenge to decisive action. If missed and allowed to pass, the loss … will be immeasurable. Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He wept over the tragedy of the destruction and the massacre… and all because you did not recognise your opportunity (KAIROS) when God offered it [Luke 19:44] The Kairos Document 1985

  19. Cuts required for a 50% chance of not exceeding 2°C Each 10-year delay adds 0.5ºC to the most likely temperature rise

  20. “What haunts me is that this moment passes by without people realising how high the stakes are.”Ed Miliband, 2009

  21. "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead

  22. Transition Movement “From oil dependency to local resilience” • Tells stories of the future • Awareness raising talks & discussions • Political hustings • Food, energy, transport projects • Transition Streets

  23. What about the church? • “Climate change is a ‘deeply spiritual issue’ rooted in the scriptures.“We believe that the solutions to the problem will not only be of a political, technological and economic nature. We believe that ethics and religion will necessarily become essential components on which the solutions will be based. “As Christians ... we need to recognise and accept the intimate ethical and deeply religious implications of climate change. It is a matter of justice, it is a matter of equity, and it is a matter of love: love for God the Almighty, love for the neighbour, love for creation.” Elias Abramides (World Council of Churches)

  24. Pastoral Action: living out a gospel of hope • Living at a properly human level • Praying that another way is possible • Caring about the future, not murdering it • ‘Planetary hospice workers’ • ‘Cultural psychotherapy’ (Alastair McIntosh) • Addressing dissociation and amnesia • Changing church and community • Caring and sharing, not competing • ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ activities

  25. Prophetic Action: calling out for a change • Being vigilant in worship and action • Urgency and seriousness of situation • Justice for victims of climate change • Respect for God’s earthly plans • Living to make a difference • Walking the talk • Challenging and campaigning • Envisioning the future – providing hope that another way is possible

  26. Church of England • Five key areas of action: • Property and Plant • Transport and Travel • Procurement and Supplies • Personal Lifestyles • Theology and Worship

  27. Property & Plant Churches, halls, schools and vicarages • Insulation and energy savings in parsonages • Measuring energy use in churches • Low energy lighting • Sourcing renewable energy • Energy projects in schools • Saving water, compost toilets

  28. Transport & Travel Changing the ways we move around • Staff Travel Plan • Support Car Free Days (22nd September) • Introduction of personal travel plans • Discouraging excessive car use at church events • Encouragement of reducing speeds and sharing transport • Review of air travel…

  29. Procurement and Supplies Buying more ethically and sustainably • Purchasing electricity from 100% renewable supplier • Stationery from recycled or sustainably sourced materials • Discouraging bottled water • Supporting local shops, farms and producers • Recycling and composting

  30. Personal Lifestyles Reviewing how we live • Encouraging more sustainable lifestyles • Justice for poorer communities and countries • Doing more with less • Suggestions for home and church action • Critique of global consumerism • Living simply so all may simply live • Sharing more in the local community

  31. Campaigning with the vulnerable

  32. Theology and Worship Rediscovering Faith and Ecology • Encouraging clergy and laity to see addressing climate change action as part of their ministry • Training events and modules • Presentations, workshops and talks • Articles on God and Creation • ‘Green’ liturgy resources • Carbon Fast in Lent 2014

  33. Discussion • In twos or threes • How can Lenten discipline –sacrifice, fasting, hope – help us in addressing climate change?

  34. South West Carbon Fast Prayer • Most loving Creator God, who has given us • a world full of delights and wonders; • as we prepare with the grace of self-sacrifice • and self-discipline for the great festival of Easter • remind us how to treasure these gifts and to use them with care; • so that all may equally share in the earth’s bounty • and all creation may be restored to your image, • through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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