There are other things going on in the world as well as the U.S election. Preparing for the annual UN climate conference, the UN issued a report noting that in spite of pledges made last year in Dubai to limit greenhouse gas emissions, nothing has changed. In fact, greenhouse gas emissions have soared to a record 57 gigatons.
Back in 2015, 151 countries made pledges to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Although we were a part of it then, the U.S. withdrew with the Trump policy of “drill, baby, drill.” We recommitted ourselves in 2021, but since then, in spite of 81 American companies pledging to reduce emissions, our rates continue to increase.
Environmental policy is, of course, tied to the election next week. The hurricanes that devastated Florida and North Carolina are indicators of our failure to really curb the emissions warming the planet. This is not an issue just for the future of our children; it is an issue for now.
Prayer for the Day
Architect of all worlds, you created us in a garden,
But we have neglected to care for it;
Fierce storms and deadly heat are the result we have,
As we pray it is not too late to stem the damage.
Grant, O Merciful Creator, that we cease our insanity,
Leading only to destruction of our future.
In the name of the One who leads us to wisdom,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Theoretically, it’s still possible to stay below 1.5 degrees, but it’s not really feasible anymore.
Christopher Bertram, Center for Global Sustainability, University of Maryland
Even if the world overshoots 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the chances of this happening are increasing every day, we must keep striving” to bring emissions down to zero as soon as possible. Every fraction of a degree avoided counts in terms of lives saved, economies protected, damages avoided, biodiversity conserved.
Inger Anderson, Director, UN Environmental Program
In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light; and there was light. And God saw that it was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light day and the darkness night. And there was evening and morning: the first day.
Genesis 1: 1-5