There are some excellent articles on the Lausanne website on the environment and climate change.   However, I get the impression that many people are still unaware of just how serious the threat of climate change is.   For those who continue to be climate sceptics: it is a simple matter of cause and effect. Fossil fuels were laid down millions of years ago. When we burn coal and oil we release CO2 into the air , creating a greenhouse effect. Our CO2 emissions have risen from 280  parts per million (ppm)  to nearly 390 ppm since the start of the industrial age.  Average global temperatures have risen  0.8 °C.   We are already experiencing nightmarish storms and  extreme  weather catastrophes. The Pakistani floods are the latest.  Though the Copenhagen talks were about keeping temperature increases below 2 °C, the impact of that average temperature  increase – with temperatures rising 4 or 5 °C in areas like Africa  -  will be horrific. It is now agreed that we need to keep temperature rise below  a 1.5 °C  maximum. To have any hope of doing that, we must reduce CO2 emissions  so that there is a maximum of  350 ppm of CO2 in the atmosphere.  

Climate change is the greatest threat ever faced by humanity.  It is threatening all life as we know it.  It should therefore be an issue of major concern for Christians, because God’s creation is under threat. Caring for God’s creation should be core Gospel business.

Regarding global climate change  negotiations, we know that Copenhagen did not come anywhere near the agreements that are needed to reduce carbon emissions. This year the  UNFCCC COP 16 talks are to be held in Mexico and next year COP 17 is to be held in South Africa. We believe it essential that we arrive at meaningful commitments and an effective agreement in 2011. [UNFCCC = UN Framework Convention on Climate Change; COP = Conference of Parties]

The faith communities are deeply concerned, and therefore we in southern Africa are planning to draw up guidelines for moral principles for the negotiations. It is time that we made decisions on the basis of doing what is right, rather than out of financial considerations and vested interests. 

We believe that Christians need urgently to give a lead in this matter.

Many scientists agree that we must start reducing carbon emissions by 2012!

Since we Christians believe in a Creator God, caring for God’s creation should be a priority. 

We, from the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (SAFCEI), hope that you at the Lausanne Congress will spread the message so that we commit ourselves to pray and act to help bring about a binding and meaningful agreement at COP 17. This must be based on the Biblical principles of justice and sharing, so that our children may inherit a habitable planet.  Without decisive agreement and action, the future is horrendous.  We Christians must pray, network and act soon so we can be the salt that will enable the whole world to be transformed by God for a sustainable future.

We are planning preparatory workshops and significant worship events for COP 17.  We pray all Christians will be involved.  Watch this space!