Transcript Climate Change for Christians

Climate Change for Christians
Facing Inconvenient Implications of Walking our Talk.
The Personal Dimension
What does climate change mean to me?
• What do I believe?
The Personal Dimension
What does climate change mean to me?
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Climate Change is the same as Global
Warming.
SA
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D
SD
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Climate Change is a natural phenomenon
that occurs in cycles across time.
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D
SD
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Climate Change is still a theory- there is no
exact science about it.
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D
SD
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The claims of climate change advocates are
exaggerated and alarmist.
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D
SD
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Our current experience of lack of rainfall is an
example of climate change in action.
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D
SD
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Industry does not accept the existence of
climate change.
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D
SD
Governments worldwide have acknowledged
the reality of climate change.
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D
SD
People will not change their living standards
despite climate change warnings.
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D
SD
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Christian teaching cannot be validly used
by either side in the Climate Change
debate.
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D
SD
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Science and technology can get us out of
any repercussions of climate change.
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D
SD
• What are three “facts” of climate change for
you?
(think, write, share)
The Personal Dimension
What does climate change mean to me?
• How does the predicted impact of climate
change interact with:
– my personal values?
– my vision and goals for the future?
– my understanding of what it means to be
human?
• “Any action for change is restricted by the
fact that we are all prisoners of global
economic forces beyond our control.”
To what extent to you agree with this
statement?
The Relational Dimension
My responsibility towards people and the planet.
• What is my personal responsibility as one of the
privileged, wealthy and high consuming
Christians on the planet?
• Where are my areas of influence and how am I
using them to influence others?
• What does justice require of me globally and
locally? (Are there three actions with which you
are prepared to start?)
The Spiritual Dimension
Beliefs underpinning my position on climate
change
• What Christian teachings require me to respond?
(Do I actually know?)
• Do I have a clear idea of what gives my life
ultimate meaning?
• What transformation do I need in order to
respond authentically to the challenge i.e. my
ecological metanoia?