Climate change is a reality that is ignored to our peril
We of the twenty-first century have given ourselves over to consuming addictions more than any time in history. Even a casual look at how we live our lives makes it abundantly clear that we are so caught up in our addictions that we can’t even begin to notice that our world is on the brink of disaster. Scientists have been telling us for years that our over use of fossil fuels has been having a negative effect on our planet. Climate change is a fact, yet we’re so addicted to over consumption that we even look at the scientific facts in a selective way, finding ways to deny the inevitable. We’ve managed to politicize an issue that should have united us, all because we want to continue to our foolish abandonment.
Marine scientists know that the carbon dioxide that has been spewing into the air, has been sinking into our oceans. The result is the devastation of sensitive coral reefs, caused by the warming of ocean temperatures. We’re now seeing increased movement of non-native species into ecosystems that are foreign to them and we are on the brink of mass extinctions of ocean life that have not been seen in thousands of years. Much of the worlds population depends on food from these oceans and the depletion of whole species promises to deplete much of our world’s food supply. We’re not talking about a hundred years, but tens of years.
Because of our addictions to having it all, we’ve put our collective heads in the sand, pretending that all is going to be just fine. We are a technologically advanced race that can take care of any eventuality, we tell ourselves. The fact that we are seeing record breaking storms, floods, droughts, fires, and increasingly erratic weather patters, seems too frightening to even contemplate. Our oceans are rising with the melting of the great ice caps and we are denying the reality of global warming. By telling ourselves we are just in a natural climatic change we dismiss any personal responsibility. We live in denial much like the alcoholic who has just been confronted by his family.
As a race we have turned our backs on God. We’ve adopted “abundance and prosperity” theologies that have led us to believe that God wants us to exploit the planet, and have put our priorities in the wrong place. We leave simple, ecologically sound, living to those losers who can’t afford the good life. Meanwhile we fiddle like the grasshopper of the childhood story, all the while running out of time.
We ignore, in our pride and arrogance, a clear message. God has called us to repentance, for our planet is spewing us up like so much vomit. Our sin of over consumption, and greed, has led us to forget that God anointed us to be good stewards of the earth. We’ve been worshiping the false gods of prosperity, gluttony and consumption, while ignored the invitation of our Creator to place our hearts and minds at His disposal.
“It is the sign of an infantile mind not to care for oneself with the resources that are available, but rather to partake of something clearly and undeniably harmful while trusting in unseen hopes (Saint Basil the Great).”
It is time we put all political and religious differences aside, face up to the catastrophe that is already upon us, and reverse, as much as possible at this eleventh hour, the destruction we have inflicted upon our planet. Although there have always been cycles of climate change, the current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely human-induced and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years. We must stop our abusive living, and demand our government enact laws that greatly reduce carbon dioxide emissions. We must reduce our dependency on beef, and other animal products. We must learn to ration our water supplies, and live, collectively, lives that are not ruled by consumerism. If we don’t act now, we, as a species, are doomed.
The important thing to remember is that we are talking “climate change”. “Global warming” was the title given it by the media, early on, and it stuck. The terrible winters in the Midwest do not mean global warming is not happening, but simply that the whole of the world’s climate is changing rapidly. The vast majority of scientists have been warning us about this for a very long time, but some Christians, and some politicians, have turned this warning into some kind of vast conspiracy, which it is not. The evidence is clear, and the impact climate change is having on the whole of the world promises famine and destruction the world over. We don’t have time to sit around and debate this. We have to act NOW!
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Saturday June 3, 2017 / May 21, 2017
Commemoration of the Dead. Tone six.
The Meeting of the “Vladimir” Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos (was established to commemorate the deliverance of Moscow from an invasion of Tatars led by Khan Makhmet-Girei in 1521).
Holy Equals-to-the-Apostles Emperor Constantine (337) and Helen, his mother (327).
St. Constantine (1205) and his children Sts. Michael and Theodore, wonderworkers of Murom.
Uncovering of the relics of Blessed Andrew of Symbiksk (1998).
Venerable Cassian the Greek, monk, of Uglich (1504).
Synaxis of Hieromartyrs of Kerel.
Synaxis of Hieromartyrs of Ufa.
Honour list of Icon of the Mother of God “Virgin of Tenderness”from Pskov-Pechersk (1524), Zaonikievsky (1588), Krasnogorsk, or Chernogorsk (1603), Oransk (1634).
Venerable Agapitus, abbot of Markushev (Vologda) (1578).
St. Basil, bishop of Ryazan (1295).
St. Hospicius of Trier (Gaul).
New Martyr Pachomius of Patmos (Mt. Athos) (1730) (Greek).
Hieromartyr Secundus and those with him in Alexandria (356).
St. Cyril, bishop of Rostov (1262).
St. Helen of Dechani, Serbia (1350).
The Scripture Readings
Luke 1:39-49
Mary Visits Elizabeth
39 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, 40 and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”
The Song of Mary
46 And Mary said:
“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant;
For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed.
49 For He who is mighty has done great things for me,
And holy is His name.
Luke 1:56
56 And Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house.
Acts 28
Paul’s Ministry on Malta
28 Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. 2 And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. 3 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. 8 And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. 9 So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. 10 They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.
Arrival at Rome
11 After three months we sailed in an Alexandrian ship whose figurehead was the Twin Brothers, which had wintered at the island. 12 And landing at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there we circled round and reached Rhegium. And after one day the south wind blew; and the next day we came to Puteoli, 14 where we found brethren, and were invited to stay with them seven days. And so we went toward Rome. 15 And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.
16 Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
Paul’s Ministry at Rome
17 And it came to pass after three days that Paul called the leaders of the Jews together. So when they had come together, he said to them: “Men and brethren, though I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything of which to accuse my nation. 20 For this reason therefore I have called for you, to see you and speak with you, because for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
21 Then they said to him, “We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you. 22 But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.”
23 So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved. 25 So when they did not agree among themselves, they departed after Paul had said one word: “The Holy Spirit spoke rightly through Isaiah the prophet to our fathers, 26 saying,
‘Go to this people and say:
“Hearing you will hear, and shall not understand;
And seeing you will see, and not perceive;
27 For the hearts of this people have grown dull.
Their ears are hard of hearing,
And their eyes they have closed,
Lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”’
28 “Therefore let it be known to you that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it!” 29 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed and had a great dispute among themselves.
30 Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, 31 preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.
John 21:15-25
Jesus Restores Peter
15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep. 18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.”19 This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, “Follow Me.”
The Beloved Disciple and His Book
20 Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” 21 Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”
23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.
25 And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.
Reverend Father Abbot,
1) Earth’s climate changes all the time, due to Solar activity.
2) Global warming is a hoax promoted by leftist politicians in order to increase the power of the state at the expense of citizens’ freedom.
3) Carbon dioxide is food for plants, not poison.
4) The sky is not falling. In all countries of the West, the environment is doing just fine.
5) There is no proof that climate change has anything to do with human activity.
6) Even if there was a global warming and even if it were man-made, no one proved that it’s a bad thing. Canada and Russia could use a warmer climate.
7) The Bible says that the end of our species will not come from “climate change”.
I agree. There are recurring periods of warmer climate. There have been times in the past when the native people of the north could not build igloos because it was not cold enough. Besides, even is a problem exists with pollution, which of course it does, there is not just one solution that everyone must agree too or be branded as uncaring and ignorant.
So true.
I had an uncle Erik Bertelsen ichtyologist, fisheries biologist who fought with the Danish authorities for years trying to stop the fishing in the Northern seas tills he gave up and resigned .He said: “You can make prognosis in laboratories, but out on place in can react quite differently – it might go straight up, and nobody can tell” . He said :” It is too late .They would not listen. Your children will face very difficult times, your grandchildren hell”. Generally he turned out to be right, and his words is always ringing in my ears. So even if we stopped now – it is still as lowering your eyes to the ground. I see only one help – the help of our Saviour.
I agree.
Weather changes are the product I believe of natural causes.
I believe we are witnessing an idealogical industry out of control . A religion in itself.
We of course need to cherish and care for the planet we have been given but other scientists do not agree with the climate change arguments that receive such widespread media support. Do their opinions receive equal coverage?
For much of my life I thought nothing of driving my car for 50 or 100 miles a day. I didn’t care where my food or clothing came from, or where my trash went. It has taken years of practice to slowly change my habits. Whether or not the changes that we need to make will have a positive impact on the environment, it is absolutely imperative to shun the destructive consumer mindset for the health of our souls.
The Bible says that the end of our species will not come from “climate change”. quoted from above post by Pavel Sorokin
If not from whence will the end of our species come? . . . as the Scripture says “no one knows the time or the hour …” and could be added “the means also”. All. I know is that “humanity is called to “REPENT”
And, what does that truly mean for you, me or any other human being?
History surely repeat itself, doesn’t it?
Dear Fr. Abbot:
I agree with you that we should be good stewards of our planet and all that is in it, as the book of Genesis states. However I don’t agree that climate change THEORY is a fact. I believe that individuals, corporations as well as our government are to equally to blame for failing to care for this planet. We tend to waste food, water and energy at all levels; larger homes, appliances that are made to become obsolete, and blatant consumerism.
I don’t believe in the theories of evolution, homosexual born that way, kinsly sexual report, blank state etc. Please check out the links below. Not all scientists agree on climate change source nor the expected outcome of such change.
https://www.facebook.com/prageru/videos/1430774963632022/
http://guardianlv.com/2014/10/climate-change-study-inconclusive-and-vague-many-scientists-disagree/
Climate change predictions have been wrong..
.https://www.thenewamerican.com/tech/environment/item/22289-climate-alarmists-have-been-wrong-about-virtually-everything
If I recall correctly, natural disasters in large numbers are listed as sources of destruction during the Last Days….. With mighty prayer, and good stewardship, perhaps some of them may be averted. We will still have to pay a price for consuming the resources of the planet; there is no way to put oil, water, and mineral ores back in the ground, or to cool the seas and return vast schools of fish to them in anything like time to feed our grandchildren or great-grandchildren. No matter our political beliefs, we will shortly run smack up against the end of the resources we need to live life as we have in the last century. Pray to God for mercy.
“Although there have always been cycles of climate change, the current warming trend is of particular significance because most of it is very likely human-induced and proceeding at a rate that is unprecedented in the past 1,300 years. ”
I studied prehistory many years ago and was a young student when most climate studies of the past were beginning.
I hate to see you so distressed. There were warmer periods in the past. The Alps were passable by elephants, remember ! There was a very cold period about the 6th century. Droughts at the ending of the Byzantine Empire All of these phases leave traces and are studied obsessively. Scientists who study the subjects are not “climate deniers.” They have studied long. Many have had to quit work because of certain people who seem to be creating panic so that they can step in to control us. Maybe with an object of profiting from a fake crisis, who knows?
And one thing to remember is weather is not climate. Weather varies in a chaotic way. All reports read ..”Hotter since the last time it was this hot– Wetter than any time since the last devastating floods.” The earth’s weather is not stable and never was.
Prehistory provides a useful perspective. World wide not just North America.
hello reverend father hegumen:
yes we must act now to protect the christians of the middle east from extinction.
yes we must act now to restore the church of the holy sepulcher.
yes we must act now to return our abducted orthodox bishops.
yes we must use the 3 billion dollars to take care of the usa social justice ills, infrastructure needs, et al.
yes we must as saint john chrysostom be aware of what is naked in our society and clothe what is lacking.
yes we must act now to be evangelizers of the Gospel of Christ and to help those who do not attend church for whatever reason.
father john
http://drtimball.com/2016/climate-and-popular-revolution/
I came across this which you may care to have a look at!
An older retired scientist who taught geography and climatology subjects
Older people .take a longer view and are not constrained by employers 🙂
I hope you will not give way to our current fashionable despair..
Well, I’ll never bother again.
I have read everything my readers have posted in response to my article, and I must say I’m now giving myself over to further study. If I decide I was wrong in my take on the subject of Climate Change, I want my readers to know that I will let you know. This article is not about the defense of my ego, but was written in my capacity as a monk, seen as the prophets of the Church. Not as foreseers of the future, but, like John the Baptist, calling all to repentance. I write because I love all of you.
Abbot Tryphon
What a privilege to be a leader. To have the opportunity to guide others. Globel cooling was tried. Facts did not support it . Globel warming was tried same same thing. Yes the climate is changing all ways has. As a marine sec. tech. Takeing samples every day, yes our rivers and oceans are getting in to bad shape. That’s not climate change that’s polution. Not sure if it’s real or not yet. As for me I’ll keep a open mind and keep reading all sides.. peace and blessings to you..
Dear Reverend Father Abbot,
If I understand the issue of climate change correctly against a backdrop of Christianity, many of the comments above overlook certain fundamental elements of our existence. As human beings we are provided with four tools – our minds, our souls, our hearts and our bodies – to use as we wish. As Christians we are expected to use them to connect with our Lord. I believe these four tools need to act in synergy to maximise the output, and this is one of the pursuits of wisdom. Thus we all the capacity to improve for evermore.
So irrespective of our stance on climate change, we need to ask:
i. Are we searching and demonstrating for love to our fellow human beings and the planet we have inherited through the grace of God? Or have we desired that the most important person is ME?
ii. Are we trying to improve our powers of reasoning? Or have we decided I know everything and that I am right, and all others are wrong?
In this context I ask the question, which side of the argument, if wrong, poses the greatest threat? Maybe loving our planet and fellow brothers more than ourselves is the better option for those humble enough not to know the truth. If we assume the climate change is a fact, and we are comfortable in being wrong, will the world economies collapse? Will our living standards with respect to those attributes we should be focusing upon (such as connecting with one other and greater spiritual engagement) rather than the pursuit of materialistic goods, be affected? On the contrary, I see the opportunity for marked improvement.
iii. Are we placing obstacles between ourselves and God? If so, are these obstacles, such as consumerism, at the expense of the existence of our fellow mankind; that is are we contributing to the hunger plight around the world, wars etc ?
iv. Are we using our bodies to enhance our minds, souls and hearts? Do we use “Google” to learn and to love..? Or our fingers weapons which spread malice and divisiveness.
Thus, whilst I believe climate change is real, it is just another distraction, (as are so many other issues). Irrespective of one’s stance, if we tackle any issue without consideration of our obligations to our hearts (to love more), to our minds (to reason better), to our souls (to unite with our Lord more completely) and to our bodies (to ensure that we acknowledge it as the vehicle through the grace of God allows us to nurture our hearts, our minds and our souls), we have probably under-utilised our time. I feel this is paraphrasing much of what you, so much more eloquently, have stated above and in other blogs.
We lay persons often forget the synergistic powers of the tools we have been blessed with….. When the focus is on one domain and not all the domains simultaneously, the whole is corrupted. For climate change sceptics and believers alike, are some of us focusing too much on your intellect and pride and neglecting your hearts and souls?
There is no such thing as global warming. If people believe in this then they don’t believe in the second coming of Christ.
You are so off base, I almost decided not to even bother to post your ridiculous statement. What is the world would make you come to such a conclusion is beyond me.