Newletter
This article was written for the “Downend and Mangotsfield Matters” magazine which is distributed to thousands of homes in with the local area. Many tthanks to Amanda its Editor and co-ordinator. The details of the Environment Sunday and an invitation were included.
Last chance to save creation - for the sake of our children and grandchildren… but we have to do it this December!
The Queen famously stated “ Did nobody see the credit crunch coming? ” Apparently not! However, there is no excuse on Climate Change. Mrs Thatcher in the 1980 ’ s said it would be the greatest challenge that human kind would have to face. A recent report suggested that a mere 2 degree temperature rise would threaten 40% of the Earth ’ s species and create 200 million environmental refugees. We could reach this as early as the 2040 ’ s along with widespread, permanent flooding
Children know that Mother Earth is in trouble and they are worried. Historians have named the period 1988 to 2015 as the Age of Stupid due to its near-total dependence on energy from fossil fuels, and over-exploitation the planets natural resources. " The Age of Stupid" film is being shown at Christ Church on 20 th September at 3.30pm. The science is accurate and all the film clips are real cases, not fictional.
The film zooms in on people around the world in different situations. Observe how people in 2008 ignored the warnings of global warming and did nothing. It shows the utter devastation of a man who lost his home and everything because of Hurricane Katrina. It shows a family doing well living the green life only to discover that a single plane flight would cancel out all the good they do for the entire year adding tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. The film finishes with a warning that… "the world is like a group of people playing on one small part of a beach and not noticing the tsunami rushing towards them at breakneck speed."
The Countdown to Copenhagen
At a United Nations conference in Copenhagen in December world leaders will have a final opportunity to deliver a brighter opportunity for everyone and will need to get world wide agreement on cutting carbon dioxide emissions, essential for our survival. Everyone from age 6 to 86 can e-mail, write letters or send post cards to their MP, MEP, Prime Minister or Mr Ed Milliband the climate change and energy secretary. Many organisations and charities are involved in this campaign.
We are not powerless. Our generation is the first with the knowledge, skills, and technology to prevent catastrophic climate change- but the last that can do so. It is up to us to decide if we have a future or not. But remember… the time may come in the future when children could be venting their anger on their parents over the environmental mess they have left this planet in. “ Why, when you knew the problem, when you had a chance, why didn’t you do something about it. Were you stupid!” they’ll say.
More information about the Countdown to Copenhagen
Geoff Payne, Climate Change co-ordinator at Christ Church.
