NYA2008live A Theology of Climate Change

It is becoming increasingly annoying that I will have to leave NYA 2008 early. Not only am I having a fantastic time learning about the Church of Scotland and its structures, I am also thouroughly enjoying the debates and am itching to offer some thoughts to the main debate sessions on Monday.

With regards to Climate Change, the United Reformed Church and specifically FURY (Fellowship of United Reformed Youth) have passed a number of Assembly and Synod Motions and Ressolutions as well as produced a number of papers and reports alongside events examining the many problems facing the world as a result of Climate Change and ways in which we can tackle them.

Each of these has focussed quite firmly on Theology and the justifications for our action.

The Church of Scotland is obviously quite enthuthiastic to deal with the problems of Climate Change and I have heard over the course of this Assembly many great ideas about practical ways in which Churches, groups and individuals can deal with these issues.

However, in my experience within the URC, you can argue these points as much as you like, to no avail, if you do not build them on a secure foundation. People NEED to have a reason to act. For the church, Theology offers the perfect justification for our action. In fact, it makes us act!

The Church of Scotland already has a very powerful Theological statement on Climate Change, which has been pblished on its website. I commend this statement for its power and boldness.

SUGGESTION FOR DELIVERANCES

I would ask that, in its deliverances to the General Assembly, that NYA2008 either peledge aliegence to this statement, reproduce the statement given on most Church of Scotland Climate Change documents regarding "negative stewardship of God's creation," or produce a statement of its own. Perhaps along the following lines:

"The NYA2008, in line with the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, believes that God has entrusted the practical and spiritual care of the earth to the charge of humanity. Consequently, NYA 2008 believes that the Church of Scotland should do everything in its power to identify and, where possible, implement sollutions to problems affecting the Church as a result of Climate Change."

This is only a suggestion, but it would be very helpful, in my view, in encouraging better and fuller action.