Global Warming and Neighbourly Love

Voor de Nederlandse versie, zie vorige bijdrage.

The following article I wrote was recently published in a Dutch news paper. I adapted the text, to better serve an international audience.

Climate Change is a Problem of Neighbourly Love

The consequences of global warming are so devastating for people and the rest of creation, that climate change becomes a problem of neighbourly love.

By Sander Chan

Christians have not been known for their progressiveness in the issue of climate change. In the churches scepticism and denialism is often voiced. Sometimes, the whole issue of climate change is even considered a conspiracy of anti-Christian forces in the world.
Although I respect a broad variety of theological perspectives on people and the environment, I believe that climate change is more than a theological discussion. Climate change has real consequences for millions of people. Findings by climate scientists are sidelined too quickly. Unfounded denialism is arrogant, and it presents a false image of God, since God loves His creation.

Speculations
Christians argue for diametrically opposed stances on climate change while citing the same Bible. In the US, the National Association of Evangelicals has been divided over the issue. NAE vice-president Richard Cizik argued for a stronger stance on climate change, while James Dobson - a prominent evangelical - called for Cizik's resignation. Another often cited skeptic is Calving Beisner, associate professor of social ethics at Knox Theological Seminary (not a climate scientist!)

A popular tactic among these skeptics is to pretend that science is hopelessly divided over the issue of climate change. However, this is a false representation of science. There is near consensus on the fact the earth is getting warmer. Also, almost all scientists agree that human activities greatly contribute to global warming. Of course there a few climate skeptical scientists, since saying something different is always lucrative. However, the skeptics represent a very small minority in academia.
An often cited skeptic scientist is Fred Singer, professsor emeritus at Virginia University. Singer denies the that climate change is caused by human activities. However, one could question whether Singer has the expertise to be speak with authority since he is not a climatologist but an electrical engineer and physicist. Moreover, Singer is controversial because he was a consultant for oil and tabacco industries. Singer's Science and Environmental Policy Project (SEPP) receives grants from ExxonMobile, the biggest oil company in the world.
Another tactic, or alternative explanation, is to blame global warming on the sun. According to skeptics, the current warming of the earth is a consequence of increased solar activity. However, the last fifty years solar activity has been quite stable, therefore it cannot explain current global warming.

Consequences
What we can be sure of: CO2 concentrations in the earth's atmosphere have never been as high before in human history. Also, the increase in CO2 concentrations coincides with rapid industrialisation. Of course one could argue how great the human stake is in global warming, but even most skeptics would agree that the earth is warming up. Therefore, it is important to also discuss the consequences of global warming.

Global warming is not merely an interesting theoretical discussion. Global warming is real and so are its consequences. I live in the Netherlands. Most of the Dutch territory is below sea level, so rising sea levels pose a real threat. However, - given the wealth of the country - the Dutch have the financial means to deal with most of the short term consequences of global warming; for instance by constructing higher dams and dykes.
But what about developping countries? South Asia is currently experiencing one the worst floods in a long time. At the same time, the Horn of Africa is getting drier and drier. Harvests are getting lower and millions of lives are threatened by hunger and thirst. Streams of refugees and victims of famines are only a few of the terrible consequences of global warming.

The Poor
It is heartbreaking to see that the very poor have the least capacity to adapt to the destructive consequences of climate change, while most fruits of the industrial era are enjoyed in the richest countries.
Given its serious consequences for fellow humans and the rest of creation, climate change has become a question of neighbourly love. Do we love fellow humans and the rest of creation enough to act against climate change and its negative consequences?
It is time to reconsider our way of living. Maybe the ultimate cause of climate change is avarice, it is a serious sin to consume more and more at the cost of current and future generations.

Some might say that Jesus will take care of this world and Christians do not have to worry about global warming. I share their conviction that Jesus loves the world and all the creatures He created. However, I also believe that God gave a position to humans as stewards of His creation. I even believe that especially Christians should stand up against global warming and wasteful consumption. Did not Paul write about the whole of creation waiting in great anticipation for God's sons to be revealed?

Sander Chan is PhD candidate at the Institute for Environmental Studies (IVM) of the Free University of Amsterdam. He is also on the local Amsterdam board of a Christian polical party, ChristenUnie.

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