Chorlton Central Church

Come on now ... what has this got to do with the Church ?

A: Climate Change, Peak Oil and Recycling all relate to Peace and Justice

Over the last forty years or so, the western world has reluctantly begun to realise that the way we live affects the whole planet, not just ourselves, or our next door neighbours.

For most of this period environmental issues have been treated as subjects for academic debate, or the preserve of 'fringe' groups more interested in hugging trees than living in the 'real' world. Now, however, the environment has forced its attention on us, as global temperatures begin to rise, the weather deteriorates and we begin to consider what will happen when the oil wells run dry.

Jesus commanded his disciples to 'love their neighbours'; and when asked by a smart-alec 'who is my neighbour ?' he told a pretty pointed tale to illustrate that anyone we come into contact with could be our neighbour. Read about it in Luke's Gospel; and bear in mind that for the original audience, a 'Samaritan' was a member of a despised minority group.

If our actions affect - for example - the residents of the country where our oil supplies are obtained, then they are our neighbours.

Whether we recognise it or not. And whatever we think about it.

The issues are technically complicated. It can be difficult to find out what to do, even if we want to make an effort.

For a guide to the day-to-day environmental decisions we have to make try 'Shades of Green' by Paul Waddington.
This 'A to Z' guide (Actually Apples to Wood; finding a common issue starting with Z appears to have defeated him) sets out the options, from the occasionally unrealistically 'deep green' to the 'not even a little bit green' .
Some of the recommendations may be surprising - for example using even an old and inefficient dishwasher can be greener than hand washing !

And where the issues are difficult to evaluate, he explains them clearly.

Shades of Green, Paul Waddington 2008
Eden Project Books/Transworld Publishers
Paperback
ISBN 978 1 9058 1100 7
... and incidentally its printed on FSC certified paper

And for a good - if challenging - read on the issues behind the climate change debate, try 'Heat' by George Monbiot

Penguin Books 2007
Paperback
ISBN 978-0-141-02662-6

'The best book I know ... broad, balanced and practical'

Sir john Houghton, Former Head of the Met Office

'Scourge of the lying industry ... Monbiot is one of the best-informed people on the planet'

The Scotsman