An Invitation to Strike

Rallying for God's Beautiful Earth

It's Time to Strike

Ally Neale is a member of Common Grace's Climate Justice Team and is a Law and Development Studies student at Macquarie University. Ally, along with other students and young people, invite all of us to gather at the #ClimateStrike on September 20th, calling on the Government to demand climate justice for all.

I recently had a conversation with a friend in which we joked about how “later” always seems like the best time to do things. I’ll do that washing up later. I’ll finish that email later. That to-do list can be “later Ally’s” problem. 

But when it comes to climate change, fixing things “later” is simply not an option. Later will be too late. 

Millions of people around the world have recognised the fact that action on climate change needs to happen now. Much of this leadership is coming from young people who are demanding that governments act now to mitigate climate change and find ways to adapt to the consequences of climate change that are already taking hold. Momentum is building towards a global wave of “climate strikes” around the world to take place this September, during which a chorus of voices will call for an end to the age of fossil fuels and rapid action on climate change.

Why should we care?

As Christians, caring for God’s world is an inherent part of our mandate as followers of Jesus. We could look at many biblical passages, but I want to focus on Genesis 1. Here God commands us as image-bearers to fill the earth and subdue it, and rule over the creatures (Gen 1:28). These commands teach us to yield and increase the Earth’s potential so that it will produce good things to benefit others. God gives this command before the fall, which means these instructions to “subdue” and “rule” were part of a sin-free world, they cannot be uncritically adopted today. These commands were never an excuse to exploit the Earth to our own benefit. They were a command to bear God’s image in how we relate to God’s creation. For example, they were balanced by the command that all creatures be free to fill the Earth. Humans and other animals were given every green plant for food. In other words, even Genesis 1 limits human authority. Because of all this, caring about climate change is a natural extension of our Creation purpose. If you’re interested in thinking more about the theological underpinnings of creation care, have a look at the Why Christians Care page.

What’s the hurry?

As a student of environmental law, I have spent a lot of time studying the principle of “intergenerational justice”, which is referred to a lot in the context of international environmental law and policy. The basic idea is that our present generation has duties towards future generations in the way we use and preserve the Earth. Acting on climate change now is imperative if we are to show justice to generations to come. Without rapid response, we will be leaving future generations an uninhabitable planet. These are the true facts.

It is time to take action - will you join us?

On September 20th, students and young people, invite all of us, people from all generations to gather and call on the Government to demand climate justice for all. These strikes are part of the Global Climate Strike movement which will see millions of people walk out of workplaces, schools and homes during September to demand meaningful action on climate change.

As Christians, these strikes present a great opportunity for us to stand together with all people as God’s image-bearers and show how much we care about the Creation He has placed us in.  

Over 40 strikes have been organised around Australia. Please consider if you can attend and add your voice to the millions saying that the time to act is now. 

Let’s not wait until later. Later will be too late. 

Reflect & Pray

Students and young people are demanding that governments act now to mitigate climate change. They’re leading the charge in the September 20 #ClimateStrike and invite everyone to come along. How do you feel about heeding the call of young people?

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity. (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV)

Pray for all those students and young people who are seeing the future with open eyes; for courage and honesty, for strength and endurance, and that we would respond to their leadership.

Other Resources

You may come across people who support climate action, but are reluctant to encourage students to miss school, or you may have similar qualms yourself. You might find this reflection on that question helpful: “Why Common Grace is supporting the student strike”.

Take Action 

Get the September 20 #ClimateStrike in your diary and plan to attend. Consider who you might be able to invite or take with you. We will provide you with more information about the #ClimateStrike in the next weeks.