Faith in action
Climate Challenge
Take action for the protection and flourishing of God’s beautiful creation with Common Grace's Climate Challenge, 1 September - 4 October 2024
Read moreAustralia’s recalcitrance at the Pacific Island Forum results in a strong declaration of the scope of the climate crisis, but a weakened commitment to respond.
"They dress the wounds of my poor people as if they were nothing. Saying peace, peace, when there is no peace. Saying "all will be well" when nothing is well.” Jeremiah 6:14
That's the one verse summary of the news today that Australia successfully undermined our neighbours attempts to respond adequately to the unfolding climate crisis.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined other Regional leaders for this year's Pacific Islands Forum on Tuvalu. What emerged, directly as a result of Australia’s recalcitrance, was a watered down version of the Tuvalu declaration, called the Kainaki II Declaration. This declaration omits the call to halt the expansion of fossil fuel power-plants and coal mines, and the challenge to all nations to increase their Paris Agreement commitments, amongst other things.
Rev. James Bhagwan, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, had pleaded with Mr Morrison to step up on climate action before the forum,
"As one person of faith to another, I would like to tell Australia’s Prime Minister: This is not Godly leadership... For Christians, acting to prevent climate catastrophe is not just about survival. It is about loving your neighbour, and protecting God’s creation. Right now, Australia is doing far more than most to desecrate the precious gift that humanity has been given...Morrison has made much of his faith and yet brought a lump of coal into Parliament. For Pacific Islanders, this felt like a nail from the Cross on which Jesus was crucified."
Rev. Bhagwan drew attention to a verse well known to members of Common Grace, continuing,
"Micah 6:8, asks us to ‘Act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God’. As Australia tightens its purse-strings on climate finance, there is no justice for the people bearing the costs of climate change. As it continues to dig up coal, there is no mercy for the Islanders whose homes are being destroyed by worsening weather.
And as Australian politicians crack jokes about our plight and brush off our pleas for climate action, there is definitely no humility on display. No leader who claims Christian morality can allow this conduct on their watch."
Common Grace’s Season of Creation series this year, Rallying for God’s Beautiful Earth, begins with a call for Australia to follow the example of the prodigal son, and return humbly to the rest of the family. Or better, to exercise a Zacchaeus moment, of true restoration for our past pollution and exploitation in the context of global climate action. You can sign up for the series here
Over on the Australian Christian Environmental FB Group, people are being asked to call the Prime Minister’s Office on (02) 62777700 or to contact his office through this official web-form. It may also be worth emailing our foreign minister, Marise Payne: [email protected]
Jason John is the Common Grace Climate Justice Lead Campaigner.
Take action for the protection and flourishing of God’s beautiful creation with Common Grace's Climate Challenge, 1 September - 4 October 2024
Read moreCome together with knitters from across Australia and mix your craft skills with your enthusiasm for climate justice.
Read moreJoin us as we celebrate Season of Creation, 1 September - 4 October 2024, coming together in prayer, action, renewed commitment and advocacy for God’s beautiful creation.
Read moreSupport the 2024 Climate Challenge! Thanks to a very generous donor, every donation to the Climate Challenge will be matched, up to $10,000. Help support Common Grace’s creation and climate justice work today.
Make a donationLet your generosity care for God’s beautiful creation and help address climate change for the generations to come. Let justice and peace flow for creation.
Make a donationGershon Nimbalker, Common Grace's National Director, reflects on the federal Coalition's recent nuclear proposal and what it means for our call to be faithful stewards of God’s good creation.
Jane Kelly reflects on her recent journey to Gudanji Country and the deep and important call for us to care for God’s beautiful creation.
As we mark Australia’s Earth Overshoot Day, 23 March, in this season of Lent 2023, Claire Harvey encourages us to consider how we can respond to this moment as a catalyst for collective action.
Jane Kelly, Common Grace's Creation and Climate Justice Coordinator, reflects on her time at COP27.