Disasters
Over the last few weeks I was preoccupied with a convoy of trucks. Now most if the news focuses on tanks and rockets and brave people dying. It’s easy to forget the longer term damage now coming to haunt us, that doesn’t care about how we mess up with trucks and tanks. It deals with how the practices of the first world will affect the two thirds who never enjoy our privileges and now will suffer even more. We have never come to terms with the reality that the planet has a one way irreversible journey and forgetting that impacts our own future - but not fairly. Those who already have the least will suffer the most.
The latest IPCC report still offers a sliver of hope. It’s hard to predict that the first world, already so arrogant and sure of its privilege will suddenly show remorse and change. Our track record isn’t good.
The report is immense in scope - 34,000 studies produced by more than 1,000 researchers and scientists and endorsed by 195 nations. There are things we can agree upon. Here are some of the things to recognize:
Half the world’s population is short of water at some time in the year
One out of three suffers from heat stress. That will grow to 50 or 75% if we fail to act.
A billion people living in coastal areas will be exposed to flooding by 2050
Much farm land is gradually becoming incapable of sustaining crops. A million children in Africa alone could suffer from stunted growth.
Wild animal habitat reduction is causing animals to move and become extninct
We don’t protect land, fresh water and oceans. Instead of carbon capture, we are sending more into the atmosphere.
While the poor suffer most, the first world isn’t escaping. The health of the planet affects us all - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. As the season of Lent begins, we need to grieve our losses, but not stop there. It’s incumbent upon all of us to act individually, corporately, nationally and internationally. The planet isn’t the stage set . The heart of stone must become a heart of flesh.