|
Climate Change and Global Poverty |
|
Tuesday, 10 February 2009 08:37 |
|
For many of us in New Zealand climate change is something which is just over the horizon. We know it is there, and that it should be a serious concern, but it is not yet impacting our daily lives, and so we tend to push it down our list of priorities. However for many in the developing countries the reality of climate change is already here and beginning to bite. Low lying island nations are among the first to experience the effects – and that includes some of our Pacific neighbours.
Oxfam NZ says “Climate change hits the poorest people first and worst, a grave injustice because these people are the least responsible for climate change and the least able to cope”.
Oxfam looks at Climate Change from the perspective of development and social justice. Their website has a petition calling for the NZ government to take stronger action against climate change and to push for an effective climate change deal at the upcoming UN Copenhagen conference this year that not only keeps climate change under control, but also places the needs of developing countries at the heart of the deal.
As Christians we have to be aware of the effects our lifestyles have on the environment and take responsibility for the impact this has on poor communities around the world. There are good reasons why we need to act:
- God has called us to love one another and to be stewards of his creation.
- Climate change makes the lives of many people struggling to survive in developing countries harder.
- Our own actions contribute to climate change and we should act responsibly to keep the harm we personally cause to a minimum.
- As Christians we need to take the lead on issues of poverty and the environment if we expect others to do so.
Where to find out more:
|
