Reflections

Climate Change - Where is God in this?

The fact that the world is warming up is not in dispute, but the reason for this is far from certain. The fossil fuels / emissions lobby would have us believe that dramatic reductions in emissions are the only way to save the planet, but is this correct?

If global warming is caused by using fossil fuels, car emissions, aeroplanes and any other ‘man’ generated pollutants, why have we had climate change before any of these things existed?

Those clever people who can measure these things tell us that 700 million years ago there were icebergs around the equator – a period sometimes referred to as snowball earth.

Scientists and Geologists generally agree that since the ice age 11,500 years ago there have been 9 little Ice Ages, the last one peaking 300 years ago. Why did the earth warm up between these mini Ice Ages? Drilling deep into the sea around Greenland and extracting ice cores has produced compelling evidence of at least 12 strong warming events each lasting a few hundred years.

In 2003 in the Schnidejoch Pass in Switzerland walkers found an archers quiver, which was found to be 4,700 years old. It had been exposed by global warming, revealing parts of the mountain that had been previously been buried under snow and ice. Further studies by archaeologists revealed 300 items from the Neolithic Era, Bronze Age, Roman Period and Medieval Times, the youngest being a shoe dating back to the 14th / 15th Century. Scientists concluded that they had discovered a long forgotten short cut across the Alps used by travellers and traders. This path had periodically been blocked off in colder periods, the latest blockage being caused by the little ice age that ended about 1850. Since then there has been gradual warming, which has taken a century and a half to clear the Pass. This is clear evidence of natural variations in climate over a 5000-year period. To back this up, scientists have produced abundant evidence that warm and cold periods can be re-produced in East Asia, Australasia, South America, South Africa, North America and Europe.

So what do we make of this and what can be done?

We certainly have a duty to protect our planet the best we can by using our natural resources efficiently e.g. energy efficient houses, electric cars etc. but it is a great arrogance to believe we are in control of our world and our future. We are but a pinprick in a vast universe and our knowledge of that great expanse we see as we look up in awe is at best, skilled guesswork. I would suggest that God is the only one in control, and He will ultimately decide our fate. Meanwhile let us pray for guidance but enjoy this wonderful world The Lord has given us, accepting that our planet is warming up at the moment and that this is largely beyond our control. We can enjoy the benefits that this offers while helping those who suffer from its effects.

I would make a final plea to not feel guilty about travelling to other parts of our wonderful world. Peace amongst nations can come from people knowing each other and understanding different cultures. This understanding can only come from travel, and many of our younger people are now taking advantages of visiting and working in all parts of the globe. Let us continue to encourage this and ‘live’ with the extra carbon footprint in the belief that:

 
Read Anthony Edwards' reply : Distorted Truths.