A sign calling for climate justice at a march in London.
“When Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here. ”
Jonah goes to Nineveh and tells the people their city will be destroyed. But everyone repents – even the king – and so God spares them.
When Jesus comes, he proclaims to the people that they will not be spared, because instead of repenting, they are asking for a sign.
Something similar could be said about us today. The climate crisis is worsening with increased floods, droughts and heatwaves throughout the world.
Yet while many have made personal changes to try and address this, we have not seen the significant shift at a political and economic level that is needed to tackle the issue.
As Pope Francis writes in Laudate Deum: “Let us put an end to the irresponsible derision that would present this issue as something purely ecological, “green”, romantic, frequently subject to ridicule by economic interests. Let us finally admit that it is a human and social problem on any number of levels. For this reason, it calls for involvement on the part of all.” (#58)
He continues his warning: “To the powerful, I can only repeat this question: ‘What would induce anyone, at this stage, to hold on to power, only to be remembered for their inability to take action when it was urgent and necessary to do so?’” (#60)
We do not lose hope, because we know change is possible. So, we call on people at all levels of society to address this issue urgently, in the hope that we can save the earth for future generations.
Prayer
God of mercy, lead all who are powerful to make a change, to seek the good of all rather than just their own benefit, to see the signs that are in front of them and to repent. Amen.
Act
Read on to find out about what was achieved at the COP28 UN climate talks last year, and what more still needs to be done.
COP28 ends with agreement to 'transition away from fossil fuels'
The UN COP28 climate summit has ended with nearly 200 governments agreeing a call for the world to “transition away from fossil fuels”.
The agreement marks the first time all governments have formally acknowledged the world must move away from fossil fuels.