Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)

Outcomes
Climate Change
And we thought climate change was a bad thing. As it turns out, it’s all a matter of perspective.

It’s beginning to look like climate change might generate a financial windfall for certain people, notably, those in the developing world, as well as those victimized by certain forms of severe weather.

According to Warren Cornwall, writing in the 18 March 2016 issue of Science, now that scientists are becoming more adept at linking weather disasters to climate change, victims of those disasters are gearing up to sue the big pollution-makers – fossil fuel companies and governments of industrialized nations (“Efforts to link climate change to severe weather gain ground”).

Here’s how it works: Research organizations construct computer models of weather conditions deemed linkable to climate change. Then, when such a scenario occurs, they can more quickly determine the effects of climate change on the event. How much of a role, percentage-wise, did climate change have in creating this natural disaster? That percentage can then easily be applied against the overall costs of damages from the event.

The discipline is called attribution science, and it is possible, according to Mr. Cornwall, that the findings of these researchers “could end up in the courtroom, as those harmed by climate-driven weather try to exact damage payments from those who produce greenhouse gases.”

The fossil fuel companies, and the governments that sponsor them, would be the most likely targets of law suits on the part of those seeking damages from climate-induced weather disasters.

The United Nations is on board with this idea, and is on the record as committed to seeking payments from polluter nations to developing countries injured by the effects of climate change. Attribution science should provide UN officials with plenty of data to press their agenda.

Insurance companies and lawyers are also beginning to circle and perch, looking for ways either to protect themselves and those they represent, or to make sure windfall revenues land in ways most favorable to them.

The science of climate change has become so entangled in politics and international relations that it is already difficult to have a civil discussion between opposing views. Add now the money factor, and the whole situation becomes uglier and more complex.

This is only what we might have expected, I suppose. The secular worldview thrives on economic and political power, so questions of self-interest and personal gain can never be extricated from any subject. Climate change, which began as an effort to discover solutions to a worldwide problem, now appears to be shaping up as a major arena for redistributing wealth, increasing political power, and advancing a particular social agenda worldwide.

Should Christians have an interest in this situation? How can we not? We are stewards of the creation and keepers of our neighbors. We are called to seek charity for the poor and needy and justice where injustice has raised its head. The issues involved in climate change are many and complex, but this must not excuse the Christian community from active involvement in the discussion.

For reflection
1.  Does your church provide any training or forum for learning about and discussing large social issues such as climate change? Should it?

2.  Where would you begin to try to gain a better understanding of the issues involved in climate change?

3.  Meditate on Psalm 24. How does this psalm lead you to think about the earth and everything in it?

Next steps: Talk with some Christian friends about the three questions above. What will be the likely outcome of the climate change debate if Christians refuse to become informed and involved?

For a closer look at making cultural decisions, order T. M.’s book, Christians on the Front Lines of the Culture Wars, from our online store (click here).

The Week features insights from a wide range of topics and issues, with a view to equipping the followers of Christ to take every thought captive for Jesus. Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.