June Village Green Corner 2004
Who foots the energy bill?
The way we treat our planet says a lot about the way we treat
its Creator. And there is no more complex and serious environmental
challenge than climate change.
The world is beginning to see the first effects. There has been
an increase in droughts and floods and things are going to get
a lot worse, especially for the poor countries. Climate change
is caused mainly by industrialised countries like the UK burning
oil, coal and gas which releases green house gases into the
atmosphere.
The Government's chief scientist, Professor Sir David King,
said last month that the last time green house gases were at
the level they are now was 60 million years ago during a rapid
period of global warming. Levels soared to 1,000 parts per million,
causing a mass extinction.
"No ice was left on Earth. Antarctica was the best place
for mammals to live, and the rest of the world would not sustain
human life," he said. Sir David warned that if the world
did not curb its burning of fossil fuels "we will reach
that level by 2100".
So what are world governments doing in the face of such warnings?
Well, Kyoto is in stalemate and our own government is currently
considering relaxing limits on emissions by industry. i.e. nothing
is being done! Greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to escalate.
The price paid for our apathy by wildlife and future generations,
even our own children, will be huge.
Now St. John's is going to help you make a difference, by taking
part in a nationwide programme called Operation Noah. Operation
Noah helps you to create a climate of justice for the poor and
future generations. Over the next ten years, working with churches
and community groups, it aims to bring all sectors of society
together to act against climate change.
Operation Noah gives you the power to build a clean and just
economy, in three easy steps.
- Sign the Climate Covenant to build support for a
just resolution to human-made global warming. But crucially
the Climate Covenant is also an undertaking to take action
oneself.
- Take action yourself: There are plenty of simple
things you can do to cut down on the greenhouse gases you
create. The most effective is to switch your electricity supply
to one of the renewable energy products available on the market.
- Spread the word to family, friends and colleagues,
and help them on board.
Please cut out this form and send it to: Operation Noah, FREEPOST
SE8672, 9, Nuthatch Drive, Earley, Reading, RG6 5ZZ.
Operation Noah is a project of Christian Ecology Link, registered
charity number 327844, and of Churches Together in Britain and
Ireland.
The Climate Covenant
"World leaders must act to avert dangerous climate change,
and give everyone fair access to energy in a sustainable world
economy.
We ask the UK government to lead negotiations.
We will take action personally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions."
Signed: Name (s):
…………………………….. ……………………………..
……………………………. ……………………………..
Address: ………………………………………………………
Town: ……………………………………………………….
Postcode: ……………………. Date: ……………………….
e-mail: ……………………………………………………….
( Magazine name and date)
