Poverty & Climate Change
Talking About the Weather… and Following Jesus
Do you love the warmth (or even the boiling heat!) of summer, or have you been looking forward to the cooler, wetter autumn days? Whatever your preference, most of us in the UK can agree on one thing: we love to talk about the weather!
But what might our everyday conversations about sunshine and showers have to do with following Jesus — including how we love our neighbours and care for those living in poverty?
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Psalm 24:1
As Christians, we believe God created everything - the world and everyone in it - and that all things are connected and held together through Him. We see that connection every day: we rely on the land and animals for food, on trees and the earth’s resources for shelter and materials, and on water for drinking and cleaning.
The weather - and the wider climate - affects all these things. And it doesn’t take long, when we talk about the weather, to notice how creation itself is suffering. Just as our relationships and bodies are broken, creation too is “subject to frustration” (Romans 8:20).
Across the world, people are experiencing shifts in weather patterns because of climate change: more frequent and intense rainfall, stronger storms, rising sea levels and longer heatwaves. Scientists are confident that these changes are largely driven by human activity - especially fossil fuel use and unsustainable consumption.
Even though we are connected to the natural world, many of us feel disconnected from these problems. The damage may not be obvious where we live, or we may be shielded from its worst effects. In the UK, there is growing recognition of the climate crisis, and measures such as policies, support systems and insurance help reduce or manage its impact.
But for many people globally, the effects are devastating. The poorest and most vulnerable communities — those with the fewest resources — are suffering the greatest impacts. Homes and livelihoods are being destroyed by floods, droughts and storms.
Read more on the BBC →
Climate change is not only an environmental issue; it’s also an injustice. The wealthiest nations have contributed most to rising emissions, yet it is the poorest who are hit hardest — and who have contributed least.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to love our neighbours, wherever in the world they live (Romans 13:10). Hearing about the destruction caused by climate change can lead us to despair, but we are a people of hope. Jesus came to reconcile and restore all things in creation.
“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 1:19–20
We can play our part by translating our hope into action.
Faith in Action
- Pray. Use Psalm 24:1 to frame your prayers
- Praise God for His creation. Give thanks for the beauty and goodness you see around you.
- Say sorry for the part you, and humanity as a whole have played in neglecting creation.
- Reflect on the phrase “and everything in it.” Everything we buy and use belongs to God. Pray about your consumption, possessions and lifestyle choices.
- Pray for wisdom for leaders making decisions about tackling climate change and supporting those most affected — in the UK and globally.
Simple Steps for Individuals and Families
Choose one or two practical ways to reduce your environmental impact from the ideas below. Once you’ve started, you could add one new action each month.
-Shopping: Can you make more ethical or eco-friendly choices? Try buying second-hand and remembering “reduce, reuse, recycle.”
-Home (or church building): Lowering your thermostat by even half a degree can save both money and energy. Switch off lights and appliances when not in use, and only boil the water you need in the kettle.
-Food: Could you swap one or two foods for lower-impact alternatives?
-Transport: When might you walk, cycle, or use public transport instead of driving?
Many of these actions cost little - and some will save you money.
Responding as a Church
-Start with prayer and teaching, helping your church understand creation care from a biblical perspective
-Join the dots: Instead of starting new initiatives, look for ways to weave this into existing church activities. For example, if you run a cost of living course, include tips for reducing energy use.
-Explore Eco Church (by A Rocha) — a great programme that equips churches to care for creation, including an award scheme.
Find Out More
-Jubilee+ resources: Creation at the Crossroads; Jubilee+ Climate Change Course (Creation-at-the-Crossroads.pdf)
-BBC summary: Climate change: Key facts
-Energy-saving ideas: Tearfund – Daily choices to tackle climate change