By Jim Hodgson on 11th Dec 2024 // Unwrapping Development “I am infuriated to come home to the aftermath of six typhoons that have struck the Philippines in the space of just four weeks with basically zero gains from COP29,” said Patricia Mungcal, a young climate advocate who serves as humanitarian manager with the National... Continue Reading →
God is green, and denying climate change is anti-Christian
From The Independent — Sunday 22 September 2024 When we hear the command of Christ to treasure God’s creation, it is up to us to heed the call, writes Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Earlier this year, I attempted to visit the Darien Gap in Central America. With its 165 miles of dense jungle, connecting... Continue Reading →
Jasper
Properties are engulfed in flames at the corner of Cabin Creek Drive and Patricia Street in Jasper, Alta., on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. (Name withheld) I am of two minds watching the premier of Alberta react to the destruction of the historic and iconic town of Jasper, Alberta that was devastated by fire on Thursday... Continue Reading →
Beacons of hope in a time of climate crisis
From an interview with Vatican News and the World Council of Churches In light of the recent data from Copernicus, the European Union's climate monitoring service, the video statement below from the World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay (World Environment Day, 5 June, 2024) is timely and concerning. In... Continue Reading →
What will make the more-than-human creation glad that we are here? Good question.
A repost from the Centre for Action and Contemplation -- Too good not to share Robin Wall Kimmerer, Potawatomi botanist, writes of our place in nature: In the indigenous view, humans are viewed as somewhat lesser beings in the democracy of species. We are referred to as the younger brothers of Creation, so like younger... Continue Reading →
This fiction is not fiction — A review of The Ministry for the Future: A Novel by Kim Stanley Robinson
“This is the best book I have ever read.” These are not my words but those of a Berkley liturgical scholar who reads and publishes on Christian worship. Her unexpected outburst concerned Kim Stanley Robinson’s The Ministry for the Future: A Novel (Orbit, 2020). Described on the cover by American novelist Jonathan Lathem as “the... Continue Reading →
A Letter, concerning “The Letter” – A must-see during the 2023 Season of Creation
Good friends, Greetings from the fire-ravaged BC interior, and the unceded land of the original people of the Okanagan, the Syilx. Some of you are part of the Johnson book project (now at the publisher copy-editing stage!); others are local St. Stephen’s Summerland leaders. Some are members of the Social and Ecological Justice working group... Continue Reading →
Smoke, Heat, and the Sorrento Centre
A guest blog from Michael Shapcott Located in Sorrento, BC the Sorrento Centre is on the traditional and unceded lands of the Secwépemc First Nation. Since time immemorial, the Secwepemc people have practised virtues of harmony and generosity. We are so grateful to be welcomed as their uninvited guests. Thanks to Executive Director, Michael Shapcott... Continue Reading →
Fossil Fuels Fantasy: When will the truth be told? And by whom? Go Dolly!
Image by Alexa from Pixabay Spoiler alert: What follows is pure fantasy. Please do not share, re-post or publicize as no one will believe you. Can you imagine such words leaping from a politician’s mouth, especially in Alberta? And during a provincial election campaign? It’s hard to create this fiction, but I shall give it... Continue Reading →
COP out? Let’s hope not!
I certainly hope that COP-26 will not be a cop out. Given that 25,000 people (smaller than usual for these meetings) gathered in the hip city of Glasgow, Scotland will produce a negotiated just agreement worthy of the expenditure of money, carbon, energy, time, travel and emotion, that’s a very, very tall order. We live... Continue Reading →