The Global South is at COP 27 asking for funding to mitigate the effects of the climate change brought on by the Industrialized North, and some countries have responded. Nicola Sturgeon, the first minister of Scotland, which became the first country last year to offer such funding, stated it would increase its contribution. Then Ursula von der Leyden, President of the European Commission joined in, and so did Ireland.
Renewable energy emerged as a major issue due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and European reliance on Russian gas. There’s no question that renewable is the way to go but political forces fight it, primarily the oil and gas industry which pours billions into their lobbying efforts with governments.
Looking at the official photograph of the delegates beneath the COP 27 sign, I struggled to see more female faces. Of 111 presidents and leaders, only seven were women. It made me wonder if more women represented many of the countries from the so-called developed Industrialized North if we wouldn’t care more about the future.
Prayer for the Day
Holy Creator, who made field and forest, sea and land,
We stand in awe of your majesty and the beauty around us;
Feeling the chill of the early morning, we watch your creation scurry about
As they prepare for the cold and snows to come.,
May we care for all your creatures, human and nonhuman,
As we consider the years and decades to come.
In the name of the One who cares for all creatures,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
We were the ones whose blood, sweat and tears financed the industrial revolution. Are we now to face double jeopardy by having to pay the cost as a result of those greenhouse gases from the industrial revolution? That is fundamentally unfair.
- Mia Mottley, prime minister of Barbados, at COP 27
How do I prioritize beach erosion when I have to get more kids into school or I have to immunize people?
- Henry Mooney, Caribbean economist at the Inter-American
Development Bank
Listen, therefore, O kings, and understand; learn, O judges of the ends of the earth.
Give ear, you that rule over multitudes, and boast of many nations.
For your dominion was given you from the Lord, and your rule from the Most High;
God will search out your works an inquire into your plans.
Wisdom of Solomon 6: 1-3