UN environment scientists call on global action, evangelicals increase their common work in creation care, Evangelical Focus

Christian experts shared their knowledge about the efforts made by faith communities in the area creation and environmentalism.

It was just days before the United Nations scientists were able to make theIntergovernmental Panel on Climate Change presented the second part of the “Sixth Assessment Report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability”.

Ecosystems, biodiversity, and human communities at global and regional levels were analysed, assessing “theLimits of the natural world and human societies to adapt to climate change”.

“The scientific evidence is unequivocal”, the UN says. “Climate change is a threat to human well-being and planetary health. Any delay in concerted global action will miss a brief and rapidly closing window of opportunity to secure a liveable and sustainable future for all”.

The Report shows that “Floods, droughts, heatwaves and other extremes are all increasing are already exceeding plants’ and animals’ tolerance thresholds, driving mass mortalities in species such as trees and corals. These extremes are occurring simultaneously, causing cascading impacts that are increasingly difficult to manage”.

Climate “resilient development” is needed, according to the authors, with “inclusive governance, investment aligned with resilient development, access to appropriate technology”, both in the sphere of governments and in civil society. For this, “adequate finance and political support are essential”.

“By maintaining an effective and equitable Conservation of 30% to 50% Earth’s land, freshwater and ocean areas, society can benefit from nature’s capacity to absorb and store carbon”, the UN scientists say. 

Talking about the role of Urban areas, the IPCC underlined that complex risks from a climate change perspective will affect especially “cities that already experience poorly planned urban growth, high levels of poverty and unemployment, and a lack of basic services”.

But “green buildings, reliable supplies of clean water and renewable energy, and sustainable transport that connect urban and rural areas, can all lead to a more inclusive, fairer society”, stresses the report.

On February 8, representatives from several Christian organisations with extensive experience in the field climate change and environment care met in a webinar hosted by The. Lausanne Movement & World Evangelical Alliance Creation Care Network. 

The PanelistsThey spoke of them Action plans for 2022These resources were presented by interfaith projects and evangelical groups. These resources include The Pollinator NewsletterThe coalition Food+Faith CoalitionThe campaign Renew Our World The Evangelical Fellowship of India Commission on ReliefThe Climate VigilThe The Faith Plans and the OMF Creation Care Bible Study.

While they praised the positive steps taken by Christian organisations to work together, they also acknowledged that there are still many challenges. Local churches should be persuaded that creation care is a Gospel issue“.

The upcoming Lausanne WEA Creation Care Network Middle East North Africa Conference is being attended by evangelical experts in creation care. Others are expected engage with the 11th World Urban Forum in Poland (26-30 June 2022).

The World Evangelical Alliance(WEA) Thomas Schirmacher, Secretary General of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), congratulated the UN Environment Assembly (UN Environment Assembly) in Nairobi on its 50th anniversary. Kenya Last week.

Invited to speak on behalf of all faith groups, Schirrmacher said: “Your willingness to invite a representative of a major global faith group to participate in this Leadership Dialogue is an important message in itself”, Schirrmacher said. “Faith, values, ethics and morality cannot be ignored when we are exploring causes of and seeking solutions to the pressing crises of our times”.

Schirrmacher comments: “In the very first chapters of the Hebrew Scriptures, we are told that human beings were created in the image of God and were given the responsibility to preserve creation. Humans do not own creation—it was entrusted to them. Protecting creation is an obligation for all of us. Regardless of our level of knowledge or expertise, we should be contributing our abilities and efforts to ensure that our planet remains a livable, just and peaceful home”.