One of today's readings is from the book of Job, the original When Bad Things Happen to Good People. In my sermon I mention the events and circumstances that lead us to question life's fairness and God's fairness. One example I offer is the natural disasters which kill innocent people which are often termed "acts of God" even by those who don't really attribute them to God. As it turns out, this week several Asian countries were rocked by typhoons, a tsunami, and an earthquake which killed thousands and left hundreds of thousands displaced from their homes.
Climate change scientists are suggesting that many of these extreme weather events are "acts of humanity" brought about by our behaviour. While there are still many who try to discredit human activity as a cause of climate and weather change (they are not one and the same) there is a growing body of evidence that our choices are affecting the patterns of the planet.
It is a long way from Asia to the Northwest Passage in the Arctic but events this summer also support the effects of human activity on climate. Large ships made their way through the passage sought by explorers through the centuries. The ice which has always been the impediment broke up and allowed ship traffic. The first time this happened was in 2007 and Canada is staking its territorial claim on these waters.
It's a small, climate changed world, after all.
2 comments:
I do believe human behaviour is a significant factor in climate change and global warming.
We can talk about factories and industry, but there is an awful lot we as individuals can do too. Stop idling your cars at a Tim Hortons drive-thru, walk/cycle a lot more rather than driving to the corner store, take more public transit, and stop littering.
These things are not rocket science and is nothing new, but it amazes me how many people who claim to be concerned about the environment can't even do these few things. And there is no reason whatsoever that each and every house should not have a green box in front on garbage day. I am needing to put a second one out each week!
I agree with you on all these suggestions. Bowmanville tends to be a car oriented town but we can set an example.
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