Is COP28 a Cop out.

 

The nations of the world met in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, to discuss action on climate change. They have made fine statements; however, will these be match by action? Or will it be like the other 27 meetings where the fine words have not been matched by the actions needed to protect the environment. The changes in climate affect the wellbeing of our world, which mean it has a negative impact on food supply and the environment in which we live.

In Deuteronomy 26.1-11 and John 6.25-35 highlight the importance of the harvest which for many is no longer a celebration because many farmers are suffering from the impact of climate change. I our modern world we give thanks for a good harvest in a Harvest Festival service. This gives us the opportunity to celebrate the gifts we receive from God. The celebration of a good harvest goes back thousands of years. In today’s world many people live in towns and cities do not understand the work involved in supplying their food. They go to the supermarket and expect to find the food they need on the shelves and wonder what is wrong if it’s not there. In many parts of the world people struggle to grow enough food to eat. We who do have more than enough to eat should be grateful and give thanks for the food we eat and think of others less fortunate than ourselves. People do this by bringing food gifts to the harvest service which are disturbed to those in need. They also do this by donating to the food banks which supply food for those in need. We should also give thanks that we have people with the skills needed to grow our food. Many today take it for granted, with political leaders often ignoring the importance of caring for the environment to enable farmers to grow the food we need to eat. 

Our lives are still like the people in the time Deuteronomy was written, we depend on the success of agriculture, the patterns of sowing, cultivation and harvesting. Deuteronomy 26: 1-4; says the man who brings his gifts knows only too well that unless the Lord has been generous to him, he would have nothing to offer. The initiative has been with God and this simple liturgy provides a vehicle for the worshipper’s recollection of the truths about the divine generosity express in revelation, history, and nature. It reminds them of the Lord who saw their distress and hardship and the unique achievements of a God who with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm brought them out of slavery. Milk and honey symbolized a life of peace and stability. It stood in sharp and painful contrast to the intensified slave labour, the cries of their oppressed women and the slaughter of innocent children. It is important to honour the uniqueness of God. To give thank for the peace and stability and the success of the regular agricultural patterns. It is just as important today because without peace and stability we cannot grow the food we need. The threat to the environment makes modern day stability very fragile.

People often take it for granted we have food to eat and complain if there is a shortage, yet many of the people of the world do not know where their next meal is coming from. The good things which the Lord has given however are not to be indulgently enjoyed or greedily hoarded, but generously shared.  (Deuteronomy 26.11) However greed, hoarding and self-indulgence can be seen in the modern world resulting in many going without. The current environmental problems stem from people wanting more and more consumer items which has a negative impacting on the environments. The desire of consumerism and lack of action by political leaders is creating serious problems for the world we live in. It is therefore important to give thank at harvest time and share our surplus food with the poorer members of our community who find it difficult to feed their family. This also helps us to think about the importance of care for the environment.

But people cannot live on bread only. In John 6: 22-40 Jesus highlight that there is a desire of the people for the material things while ignoring their spiritual wellbeing. In the passage from John, Jesus saw that those who he feed wanted more evidence that he would provide them with similar provision. The miracle with the loaves and fish was not sufficient evidence for them. In his reply, given as a sermon at Capernaum, Jesus spoke of a new kind of provision bread of life, which is him. There is a contrast between this bread and the material and perishable manna. The spiritual food which Jesus gives those who believe in him sustains the inner spiritual life of people, and it is always available; it will never decay.

Although the Christian faith has been in existence for many years, its power to renew the spiritual life of humanity has in no way diminished. But what is life? That was what Jesus wanted the crowds to consider as they chased after him. To feed upon Christ, by faith, is to find a relationship with God that will endure beyond our physical life. Developing our spiritual life, we can learn that there are more important things than just living in a material world. It also enables us to start to live in harmony with the world and not over exploit its resources. If we are to solve the problems affecting the environment, we need to understand this. 

There are two types of hunger: There is physical hunger which physical food can satisfy; but there is a spiritual hunger which physical food can never satisfy. It is an unsatisfied longing within our heart. There is the hunger for truth, life, and love.  God alone can give people, the love that outlasts sin and death. It is Christ who can satisfy the immortal longings and the insatiable hunger of the human heart and soul. When we enter a relationship with God through Jesus the human heart finds what it was searching for, and life ceases to be a search for more thrills and material thing, instead becoming one of peace and a desire to help our fellow human beings. The political leader when discussing the environment, approach it from a material perspective, instead of a spiritual one which seeks peace and harmony in the world. We must hope and pray that the world’s leaders will soon realise that we can only protect the environment when we live in harmony with it and in peace with each other.