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Q & A
Q&A: United Methodists working on climate issues Robin Russell, Dec 14, 2009
The Rev. Ole Birch
Climate change is clearly a topic that garners much debate. Not everyone agrees on whether it’s a scientifically proven fact, or whether it’s really within our control to affect climate changes significantly relative to the cost required to do that.
In the meanwhile, however, representatives from some 65 world governments, along with religious leaders and environmental activists—including a delegation from United Methodist Women—have gathered in Copenhagen Dec. 7-18 for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
The Rev. Ole Birch, a United Methodist district superintendent in Denmark, is also working for change. As chair of the Climate Group for the National Council of Churches in Denmark, he responded in an e-mail interview with managing editor Robin Russell about how churches there are participating in the summit.
How do you respond to someone who doesn’t believe that global warming is happening, or that human habits might be contributing to climate change? How do we come to understand and assess anything that goes on in our world? We listen to the scientists and specialists who help us to be informed. Today the vast majority of scientists in the world tell us that global warming is real, and that human activity is one of the reasons behind it.
In recent weeks, there have been reports of e-mails hacked from a computer server in Britain that indicate some data on climate change have been manipulated to better support the idea of human influence on global warming. Your thoughts? I have seen the story unfold some days ago. As far as I can see, it is about a few scientists who have manipulated some of the information about climate change. But the warnings about manmade global warming are based on the work of many scientists. This will have consequences for these few people, but I don’t see it changing the basic understanding of what is happening with the climate. I hope there will be a proper investigation, so we can feel sure that the information we are given is correct.
Is there a biblical mandate prompting the involvement of Danish churches in these environmental issues? There is a multitude of texts and themes from the Bible that gives us not just a mandate, but inspiration to examine our civilization, our lifestyle, our churches and our faith. Consider the basic premise of our creed, that God is the creator of all things. Neither the universe, nor the earth belongs to us. Everything remains God’s property. To us, it must always remain a gift and a responsibility.
Consider the concept of stewardship in Genesis 1 and 2. What does it mean to be a steward? Surely something more than being a consumer! Consider the Old Testament covenant between God and Abraham’s descendants. The covenant promise is, among other things, about a land that is a special gift and that has to be received with humility and consideration for the poor. Consider the laws concerning the use of land states (in Exodus 23), which state that land must not be subject to over-exploitation but treated with respect.
Consider then, that in the visions of the prophets and the words of Jesus Christ, this covenant will be renewed and expanded to encompass all people and all of creation, and that Jesus begins his public ministry with an open commitment to covenant and the plight of poor (Luke 4). And consider that today the poor in Africa and Asia are the people suffering the most from the effects of global warming.
How have churches in Denmark been involved in raising awareness for environmental concerns? The Climate Group of the National Council of Churches in Denmark have been working for two years now. Our areas of focus has been:
* Raising awareness within the churches and involving them in action to lower their CO2 emissions. To this end we have produced a number of publications, created a Web site and organized events for inspiration and information. By complying to certain standards, local churches can be certified “Green Churches.”
* Organizing the churches in advocacy towards politicians.
* Setting up infrastructure (lodging, events and so on) for the many international guests and activists descending on Copenhagen during the Climate Change Conference. Many churches have opened their doors for international activists to use their facilities as their base.
* Creating a big ecumenical celebration in the cathedral of Copenhagen on Dec. 13, right in the middle of the conference. The Danish Queen, the Danish prime minister and hundreds of representatives of churches from all over the world will attend. All the governmental delegations to the conference are being invited. Danish National television will broadcast it live (also on the Internet) and offer it to Eurovision. Archbishop Desmond Tutu will be there and the Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams will be preaching.
In connection with this celebration we initiated a global call for churches all over the world to ring their bells 350 times at 3 p.m. local time on Dec. 13. The WCC has been spreading the word and reports from many different countries (Norway, Scotland, Sweden, Germany, Rumania, South Africa, Holland) are coming in. What do you personally hope the summit in Copenhagen will accomplish? A binding, effective and just agreement. I think the goal must be a reduction by 80 percent of CO2 in 2050, with special emphasis on necessary compensation to the poor countries. That is not going to happen, but if we can get a binding agreement, the numbers can be changed in the coming years.
President Barack Obama will present an offer at the summit to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020. What else, in your opinion, needs to be done? The task at hand is clear, but daunting. We must stop global warming at 2 degrees Celsius, otherwise the consequences for the poor will be catastrophic, and the process can become irreversible. As Bill McKibben, writer, journalist and United Methodist teacher in Vermont points out, the best science we have says that 350 parts per million of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere is the limit, if global warming is to stay under 2 degrees Celsius. My fear is that a 17 percent cut, from the world’s largest contributor of CO2, is out of proportion to the magnitude of the problem, though it is positive that the U.S. seems committed to be part of the solution in Copenhagen.
What do you suggest United Methodists do to help reduce our “carbon footprint”? Study their Bibles, get informed about the issues, reduce their CO2 emissions by saving energy. Lead their communities in joyful pursuit of holiness in their relations to each other and God’s creation.
Why are environmental issues so often such “hot-button” topics for many Christians? That is hard for me to answer. To me, the issue of climate change strikes to the core of our faith and provides an opportunity to proclaim central parts of the Christian creed. The world is in need of a church that can proclaim God’s call to responsible stewardship and help us find ways to sustain life—not out of fear for the future, but out of love and joy over the wonders of God’s creation.
The Rev. Ole Birch
Is there a biblical mandate prompting the involvement of Danish churches in these environmental issues? 
