Copenhagen, Climate Change, and Global Poverty
From New Zealand, climate change seems a fairly remote and often difficult to believe concept. It is more about how much the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is going to cost us than any real concern for other impacts. The forecast impacts in NZ are all so far in the future that it is hard to feel any urgency. The scientists will sort something out long before then, and anyway, what New Zealand’s four million people do is not going to make much difference on the global scale!
Let’s stop pushing the blame on burping cows or the population growth of the poor countries and acknowledge that it is a lifestyle issue for those of us fortunate to live in the developed countries. Modern technology has been the foundation of economic growth and prosperity for the developed nations. However it has been a technology based on waste. Regardless of global warming, a reduction in pollution emissions and improved carbon efficiency should make sound common sense. High pollution levels are inefficient and contribute to significant health issues which are a cost on any economy.
For us as Christians it is both an issue of our stewardship of God’s creation, and also an issue of justice for those like the people of Bangladesh, who are going to be hit hardest. The United Church of Canada recently issued a statement on climate change. They said “Science tells us what is and, given certain parameters, what will come to be. Spiritual values teach us what ought to be. Only the two, working together, can see us safely through this perilous time.” New Zealand needs to support strong action at the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen next week!
World Disabilities Day
Thursday, 3 December is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme this year is "Making the MDGs Inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world". This week we have had the media frenzy over the "R" word. Micah Challenge partner, cbm, says of World Disabilities Day that the aim is "to promote an understanding of disability issues, the rights of persons with disabilities and gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of the political, social, economic and cultural life of their communities." How inclusive is your church for people with disabilities?
Read more
Thousands of New Zealanders Stand Up Against World Poverty
The numbers say it all: this year’s Stand Up Take Action campaign was a success. Passionate kiwis around the country took the message to John Key and members of Parliament that we want our country to “walk the walk” over our promise to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The final New Zealand count was 21,233, which exceeded all of our expectations.
Globally 173,045,325 citizens gathered at over 3,000 events in more than 120 countries, demanding that governments take action to eradicate extreme poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals. "Stand Up, Take Action, End Poverty Now!", has been certified by Guinness World Records as the a new world record and remains the largest mobilization of human beings in recorded history. The people from the Millennium Campaign say "Thank you for Standing with us!"
Last year the total was 116 million people, so this year was a significant increase even on that number. This year Kiwis from Invercargill to Whangarei added their faces to the global event in bigger numbers than ever before. There were events in schools, universities, churches and public places.
Read more
Christmas Greetings
Advent is about more than what we spend and where we spend it. The Good News of peace on earth is not about continuation of the status quo for the wealthy. It is not even some sort of feel-good, let's everyone be happy cessation of warfare. "Peace on Earth" is about the healing of the rift between God and humankind, but if that healing is to mean anything, one of the visible effects of peace with God will be justice on earth. Poverty, starvation and preventable disease in the face of enormous wealth are not signs of "Good News". Good news is news of justice for the poor.
What do I want for Christmas? Try these sites for some good alternative options:
Visit our Facebook page for links, news and to join discussions about issues.
The Micah Call is a global petition, and a statement of our belief that now is a time when poverty can be challenged:
Read more
The issues of global poverty are not just economic. They are also political and spiritual. Micah Challenge invites Christians to take a prophetic role in making a difference in the world.
Paul Thompson
National Coordinator
Micah Challenge Aotearoa New Zealand
The Micah Challenge eNewsletter is a monthly update on global poverty issues with a Christian perspective. Invite friends to subscribe. Visit our website www.micahchallenge.org.nz
Manage Your Subscription:
|
