If you watch or read the news you will be aware that COP26 is taking place! The 26th Conference of the Parties climate summit is being held in Glasgow from 31 October to 12 November.

Some 25000 delegates from over 200 countries including global leaders, Prime Ministers and Presidents are being asked for their plans to cut emissions, and it could lead to major changes to our everyday lives. This is seen as a crucial event if climate change is to be brought under control.

Those 200 countries are being asked for their plans to cut emissions by 2030. The BBC reported that some other announcements could include:

Making a faster switch to electric cars
Speeding up the phasing out of coal power
Cutting down fewer trees
Protecting more people from the impacts of climate change, such as funding coastal-defence systems

It is an important summit, and something that we as Christians should be aware of and pray for. So how should we approach this issue? My starting point is this...

“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.”

— Psalm 21:1-2 The NIV Bible

Earth belongs to God; you and I are just passing through. Whilst we live and enjoy this fabulous place we should look after and care for it. That was the mandate given to the first humans back in Genesis 2:15... The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.

I believe that part of this ‘care taking’ includes thinking about others and the generations to follow. So, I should be mindful of what I do, and where I can make changes and live as ‘green’ as possible.

I do believe that the God given resources on the planet are enough for everyone. The difficulties come when trying to outwork this and to share them fairly. Therefore this conference is so important as things will only change if they are done together.

Let me conclude this week by going back to prayer. Pete Greig, the founder of the 24/7 Prayer Movement, suggests we can pray these 3 things for those at COP26:

Wisdom beyond human wisdom
Foresight beyond human expediency
Courage beyond personal political short-term ambition

God bless

Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader