Environment

Hope for Creation is a global day of prayer and action for churches and individual Christians on the issue of climate change and is being organised to take place on Sunday 6 November 2011.

Organised by a group of Micah Network members, the purpose of the day is to unite and focus church action and prayer on this critical issue, with a focus on its devastating impacts on the poorest and most vulnerable people.

It takes place a few weeks before the next round of UN climate talks begin in South Africa, and follows on from the commitment those at the Limuru Consultation on Climate Change in 2009 (where I represented TEAR Fund NZ) made to 'intercede before God for those most affected by environmental degradation and climate change, and will act with justice and mercy among, with and on behalf of them'.

Partner with us in Hope for Creation here in New Zealand and:
• Commit to mobilise churches and individual Christians to pray about climate change and its impacts on Sunday 6th November.
• Encourage churches and Christians to take action to tackle climate change by signing a campaign action or taking part in a symbolic activity.
• Join us to urge world leaders to take ambitious and fair action to tackle climate change and provide the finance needed to help poor communities to adapt and develop sustainably.

More at http://hopeforcreation.org

Frank Ritchie...

New Zealand Christian Network (visionnetwork) jointly co-ordinated a Clearing the Air climate change forum at Unitec Institute of Technology, Auckland, 16-17 July 2010. Following are some short audio extracts from presentations given at the forum:

Professor Jonathan Boston, Director of the Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University, The political economy of mitigating climate change, Part I. Professor Jonathan Boston, Part II
Professor Jonathan Boston, Part III
Barry Brills, President, NZ Climate Science Coalition, Climate Change: What's the Problem, Part I. Barry Brills, Part II Barry Brills, Part III


Dr James Renwick, Principal climate scientist, NIWA, Climate change: The scientific base, Part I.

Dr James Renwick, Part II
Dr James Renwick, Part III

Ian Wishart, Editor, Investigate magazine; Author: "Air Con", Climate Change: The Great Deception, Part I. Ian Wishart, Part II
Ian Wishart, Part III
Panel discussion

Copenhagen climate summit - a Kairos moment
November 20, 2009

Now is the favourable time
2 Corinthians 6:2

Many people of faith and good-will are conscious that the world is perched on the brink of a Kairos moment - a moment of significance that has the potential to alter the future of this planet on which we find our home.

As governments and communities prepare for the Copenhagen climate summit in December, we as New Zealand Church Leaders are urging bold action by our government and all world decision makers. We also urge that members of our own communities again take time to learn about climate change, reflect on our own lifestyles and take the necessary actions to protect the environment for current and future generations.

A Kairos moment in scripture is a moment of opportunity, of grace and of truth. Many people may be aware of it through the 1985 statement of South African theologians, who called on their country not to allow the moment to slip by: Jesus wept over Jerusalem. He wept over the tragedy of the destruction of the city and the massacre of the people that was imminent, "and all because you did not recognize your opportunity (KAIROS) when God offered it" (Luke 19:44).

As Church Leaders, we have spoken out for several years in our different congregations on the significant impact climate change is having and will continue to have, particularly on the most poor and vulnerable members of our global...

Organisers of the Clearing the Air forum held at Unitec in Auckland (16-17 July 2010) were pleased with the forum and the outcomes.

Dr Jonathan Leaver, a lecturer at Unitec, said 'the simple fact of academia and the Church collaborating on such an important topic as climate change was itself a significant outcome'.

New Zealand Christian Network (visionnetwork) partnered with Unitec to organise a line-up of speakers described by Archbishop David Moxon in his closing summary as 'truly world-class'. Glyn Carpenter from NZ Christian Network said 'there will always be more evidence and argument that could have been presented. But within the time constraint of two half-day sessions, I think most would agree we covered a lot of important ground'.

For a full summary of the forum, including abstracts of the papers presented, click on the link below.

It was originally intended that church leaders attending the conference would draft a position statement on climate change. However, in view that they had previously issued a statement in November 2009, it was decided that a further statement was not needed. The November statement, Copenhagen climate summit - a Kairos moment, can be read here.

To download this paper by Professor Jonathan Boston, click on the link below.

Abstracts from the Clearing the Air climate forum, held on 16-17 July (as supplied to the forum organizers) Epistemology, Faith and Science
Dr Matt Flannagan, Adjunct Lecturer, Laidlaw College
Abstract
In this talk I will elaborate some basic ideas of epistemology particular around the interface of science and religion. I will explain briefly three things, first what epistemology is and what the questions it asks are. Secondly, I will look at the role testimony and faith in authority play in our knowledge. Third, I will sketch a position on how Christians should approach scientific challenges to their theological positions Freedom, Joy and Hope - Christology, Creation & Ecological Ethics
Andrew Shepherd
Abstract
The world is becoming increasingly aware that we live in a time of ‘ecological crisis'. Humanity's lack of care for the natural world seemingly threatens ‘life' itself on the planet. This paper unpacks a biblical-theological basis for creation-care. Particular focus will be given to how a Christological understanding of creation offers the basis for ethical behaviour grounded in freedom, joy and hope - elements often missing within the broader field of ecological ethics. Mechanics of politics and funding of climate change science
Professor Ralph E H Sims, Professor of Sustainable Energy, Massey University, Palmerston North.
Abstract
Although climate change impacts are starting to be felt, policymakers are still struggling...

Freedom, Joy and Hope - Christology, Creation & Ecological Ethics
Andrew Shepherd

Abstract The world is becoming increasingly aware that we live in a time of ‘ecological crisis'. Humanity's lack of care for the natural world seemingly threatens ‘life' itself on the planet. This paper unpacks a biblical-theological basis for creation-care. Particular focus will be given to how a Christological understanding of creation offers the basis for ethical behaviour grounded in freedom, joy and hope - elements often missing within the broader field of ecological ethics.

Mechanics of politics and funding of climate change science
Ralph E H Sims
Professor of Sustainable Energy, Massey University, Palmerston North. Abstract Although climate change impacts are starting to be felt, policymakers are still struggling to reach agreement (especially between "North" and "South" countries) whilst scientists continue to grapple with and better understand what is likely to occur on a regional basis, how we might need to adapt, what the costs of adaptation might be, and whether mitigation actions can happen quickly enough. The drive for more knowledge on such issues as sustainable energy systems to displace fossil fuels has a long way to go, but R&D investment remains limited in many countries, including New Zealand. Meanwhile the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) continues to synthesise the latest scientific information that has been published and present the knowledge in a format suitable for policymakers and the general public to comprehend. Communicating this complex topic, whose evident impacts will occur only over the long term, is a major challenge.
Recent attempts to undermine the climate science and the IPCC are of grave concern since they have successfully held up the process, as was the intent. This paper will present the current political context of climate change, consider the future challenges for the IPCC, and outline some possible technical and social solutions to help maintain global temperature rise below...

Climate Change and the Poor
Stephen Tollestrup Stephen Tollestrup is the Executive Director of TEAR Fund NZ, and the Director of the international WEA Peace and Reconciliation Initiative. Abstract As western and developed nations consider the possible impact of climate change on their economies and mobilise resources and strategies to limit their effects, the reality will be that the poor in the developing world will be placed most at risk and pay the highest price in terms of health, hunger, under-employment, migration, conflict and limited local and regional economic growth. The challenge of climate change in the developing world will undermine regional and global instability and left unaddressed have further serious and exacerbating consequences for developed nations as well. While climate science has almost exclusively focused on scientific and empirical research with debates centred on data integrity and analysis, the presenter urges that the anecdotal evidence and narrative voice of the poor also be respected, considered and taken seriously. Examples of this more indigenous and local perspective is to be presented. However it also presents a unique opportunity for a greater collaborative effort between northern and southern economies to mitigate the impact of climate change and further strengthen the foundations for just, sustainable and equitable future partnerships. TEAR Fund suggests that these opportunities among others include commitment to and recognition...

Impacts: Climate change and global ecology
Liza Storey, International Global Change Centre, IGCC, University of Waikato.

Liza Storey is an ecologist. Her PhD thesis (2009) undertook an assessment of the combined effects of climate and land use changes on the distribution of Tradescantia fluminensis (Vell.) in New Zealand. Liza has a Master of Science in Marine Science and undertook a thesis looking at mapping seagrass distribution, on a barrier reef in Fiji. She has expertise with integrated assessment of impacts and vulnerability with climate change. Abstract
Climate change is already causing observed change to our planet's ecology. Amphibians, warm-water corals, and migratory birds are the groups most at risk (IUCN, 2008). Not only will climate change contribute to a decline in the number of species on Earth, but it is also modifying ecological, physiological and seasonal timing of processes, and species interactions. While significant and valuable steps are being taken, in particular, to increase the number of protected areas globally, this is insufficient in itself to stem the tide of species decline (Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 2010).
In addition to the impacts on wild populations, climate change will impact on commercial and cultivated crops, and other species harvested for human food consumption, as well as pests and diseases. While increased average temperatures and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations will provide...