Pictured: Rael Marona addressing the community in Kajiado during the 2012 Food Study Tour in Kenya
Sad. Worried. Those were a few of my emotions as I read a major new study on climate change which paints a dire picture for those who live in poverty—if increasing global action isn’t taken on climate change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its report “Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability” on March 31. As someone whose job it is to look at the impacts of climate change on hunger around the world—and work to inform government policies to address these issues—I found the report’s message deeply disheartening. But it also drew me to reflect on the words of our partners who have already been telling us that they feel the changing climate every day and worry about its impact on hunger in their countries. I hope this reflection serves as a spiritual call to pray, reflect and act.
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“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1)
“Climate change is contributing to hunger in Malawi.” —Lizzie Shumba, Malawi
“Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17).
“We heard stories and we have seen with our own eyes where the people lock their homes and go away from the villages in search of livelihoods because their fields are no longer giving them good product. The ponds that they have, the water harvesting systems they have are totally dried up and not leaving them with any water…. It’s a kind of forced migration. One doesn’t want to go away from the home but they have to go because of climate change effects.” —Ramesh Babu, India
“The earth lies polluted under its inhabitants; for they have transgressed laws, violated the statutes, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse devours the earth, and its inhabitants suffer for their guilt.” (Isaiah: 24:5-6)
“The climate change is really affecting our people. Twenty years (ago) we never used to have long droughts…. Now you never tell when the rain season is there. It keeps changing from one year to another. We are not ready. We don’t understand it, but we see things changing.” —Rael Marona, Kenya
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
“During the monsoon season there’s too much rainfall, but it’s not usable water. During the dry season there’s not enough water…. There have always been issues with water but they’re worse now. People have to go further and further to locate it.” —Mary Beth Sanate, India
“Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
“The environment that we live in now is not the environment I was born into.” —Sam Ocung, Uganda
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 16)
“For sure there is a change of climate. They way it used to be and the way it is now is completely different.” —Raha Muzibao, DR Congo
“I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:40)
“Climate change affects all of us, but it is the world’s poor who contribute least to the problem and who have the least capacity to adapt to a changing climate. The world’s poor are already suffering the most from its devastating impact. That is why, at its heart, climate change is a matter of justice.” —Right Rev. James Jones, Bishop of Liverpool (now retired)
“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you. But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)
“People can lobby their government, because climate change is a global issue and it needs global minds put together. Who is better suited for the task than the Christians? We were put in the garden not only to cultivate it and benefit from it, but also to keep it.” —Victor Mughogho, Malawi, in Sojourners magazine
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
“The Bible clearly tells us that prayer with action is something that God likes. I would urge the Canadians to continue to pray passionately for those who are forced to migrate, you know, to stop that migration. You know, children who are out of school because the parents are not at home. That they will continue to go to school. That a poor woman who has to walk miles to fetch water that they will have water in their own premises. I would ask the Canadians to pray for these requests.” —Ramesh Babu, India
“Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)
“Some say it will take a miracle to turn this around, which is why it’s so important for Christians to lead on reversing climate change. We are people familiar with the mechanics of miracles.” —Rose Marie Berger, in Sojourners magazine
