Sir John T. Houghton, who is the co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was the lead editor of the first three IPCC reports, argues that it is a Christian responsibility to fight climate change in this impressive article.
"People often say to me that I am wasting my time talking about environmental sustainability," Houghton notes. "‘The world’ they say ‘will never agree to take the necessary action’."
"I reply that I am optimistic for three reasons. First, I have experienced the commitment of the world scientific community... Secondly, I believe the necessary technology is available... My third reason is that I believe we have a God-given task of being good stewards of creation.
"According to Scripture only human beings were made in the divine image (Gen. 1:26-27). This has sometimes been taken to mean that we are superior and are thus free to lord it over all other creatures. What it should be taken to mean is that we resemble God in some unique ways, such as our rational, moral, relational, and creative capacity.
"It also points to our unique ability to image God’s loving care for the world and to relate intimately to God. And it certainly points to our unique planetary responsibility," Houghton says.
"Being made in God’s image is primarily a mandate to serve the rest of creation (Mk 10:42-45)," he insists.
Christian churches could therefore play "a key role in the propagation of new attitudes" to the environment, he argues.
"Christian communities in the world should rise to the challenge, take the high ground and demonstrate Christian stewardship in effective action. A particular imperative is to express our care for God’s creation, our love for God and our neighbor (wherever he may be) by leading the way in more equitable sharing of the world’s resources.
Houghton also highlights the things that all of us can do, such as choosing fuel efficient appliances and cars, purchasing green energy, using public transportation and sharing cars.
" To quote from Edmund Burke, a British parliamentarian of 200 years ago, ‘No one made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do so little'", he says.
Concluding, Sir John draws attention to "the symbol of the Celtic Cross, the cross of Jesus surrounded by a circle denoting the world, illustrating that the redemption Jesus accomplished includes not only humans but the whole of creation".
"The challenge to all of us is unmistakable and daunting. But we also have the assurance that we do not have to act on our own. As God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden in the Genesis story, so he will come alongside us to help us as we seek to do his work here on earth."
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