Dear Brethren. I am a new subscriber and say your invitation to input into ‘The Market Place’

Almost daily and in every level of the media we all hear about the terrible danger of ‘global warming and climate change.
The approach to the subject appears to be entirely secular, increasingly shrill and full of dire predictions as to the future
collapse of the world and life as we know it in physical terms.
I have just written a paper on the subject from an evangelical Biblical viewpoint as I feel that there should be at least some attempt made to present a Christian world view. 
If anybody would like to see this for discussion or perusal, or to reproduce as a basis for group discussion you would be most welcome to see this paper. (available as a Word document attachment) Just contact me on this forum or separately at

Hi,

I would be interested in reading your paper. My email address is

Hello.  I too would be interested in reading your paper.  It has often struck me that predictions of impending ecological catastrophe provide a kind of eschatolgy for secularists.

My e-mail address is .

Christian greetings,

Phil Arthur

For those who may be interested, and in the light of the ever increasing media and government frenzy on the subject, I have made this available as a small booklet, possibly useful for evangelistic purposes.  For details of copies contact me on .  No charge, but would be grateful for something towards post.
or A5 sae.
Graham Wood

I recently posted an article on this subject on my blog: http://exiledpreacher.blogspot.com/2007/01/problem-planet.html

Does anybody have Guy Davies e address (re the last posted comment as above).  I found it impossible to access him personally via his site through impenetrable
‘password’ and ‘security’ checks.  Thanks
Graham Wood

I personally think we should be concerned about global warming due to human activity.

Proverbs 6:6-11 and Proverbs 24:30-34 teach that poverty can come as a result of laziness. So although God is ultimately sovereign over the world, our actions can have consequences. The lazy farmer ends up with his ground unproductive and full of weeds (Proverbs 24:31). Perhaps the same is true of our environment - if we don’t care for it properly now, that may cause problems for us later.

I have not personally studied the science behind global warming. I could not say for certain that people are changing the climate, but I know many scientists believe we are. But unless we can rule out human caused global warming, then perhaps we should do what we can to minimise it, and also prepare for it.

Here are some statistics…
In 2005 the UK was responsible for emitting “656.2 million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent”.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2007/070131a.htm
The UK accounts for about 2% of CO2 emissions worldwide.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/globatmos/gaemlimit.htm

Some measures for individually cutting carbon dioxide emissions make economic sense. I think you can save money in the long term by turning off lights when you are not using the room, and by using energy efficient light bulbs. I think closing curtains at night can reduce heating bills, and therefore save money. If we can save money by simple measures to reduce our usage of electricity, then that money can be used for other things, e.g. funding Christian organisations.

However, given the statistics above, if human caused global warming is a problem, even if everyone in the UK completely stopped using electricity (very unlikely), then human caused global warming would still be a problem. I think perhaps our main priority as individuals in terms of any cost to us may be helping people in poor countries develop their infrastructure so they are better prepared to cope with climate change. Generally the poor suffer more in disasters because they have less resources available to cope.
Many Christians live in developing countries. If climate change does occur (whether caused by man or natural weather patterns) then access to water could be a problem. Christian NGOs like Tearfund already are helping communities get better access to water. If communities can have better access to water, then they could irrigate crops and be less at risk of changes in the weather affecting their crops, plus they would benefit now from cleaner water.

I didn’t reaise that I was so elusive! I’ve e-mailed Graham and updated my profile so it should be easier for people to conact me.

I agree with the substance of Ben’s remarks. Some evangelicals ignore environmental concerns becasue “Jesus is coming to sort it all out”. But this is a denial of the goodness and creation and an escapist eschatology. Jesus is coming to rescue the creation from the entropic effects of sin. This is a grand reaffirmation of the value of creation.  Because we love his appearing, we should work for a better environment.