The free riders!

The climate discussion seems to be stuck in a discussion about who is supposed to act and do something. Every nation is pointing the finger on the other nation saying- You should act! China should act because you are the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. China say that US and Europe should act because the historical emissions of the world comes from those countries. Small countries like Sweden say that other countries should act because the emissions from Sweden is only0.2% of the world emissions so what happens in Sweden is absolutely of no interest of the world.
And so does the discussions proceed and we are stuck with a bunch of states starting a blame game and looking for a free ride. A free ride that means that everybody else should start and I myself can go on as usual.
Why is it impossible to think of a broader "we"? We are together on this planet and the time to act is running out. If we don´t act as a "we" now there will be only a free ride to a much more complicated world to handle for the future generations.
Where are the faith communities of the world that have a more inclusive perspective and a more long-term vision of the world and life? Time to speak out and together say; We are on this trip together and we must act together, all humankind.

African Earthkeepers

M.L. Daneel wrote some years ago about African Earth-keepers and about interfaith actions in Zimbabwe to keep people and earth together and used sustainable. I was very moved some years ago when I got to see a short film on how they managed to get people of different African initiated churches and traditional religions representatives to have a service together with sacramental parts side by side and then together planting new trees. The idea was that trees planted under these circumstances were much more looked after then traditional aid tree planting or so to say"secular planting".
Now I wonder if this is still happening in Zimbabwe? We need much more of tree planting in sub-Saharan Africa. For many reasons. To keep the earth from erosion, to keep the water in the earth, to catch CO2 from the atmosphere and some more reasons.
(If anyone knows about this project, please comment.)

The Good News

Today on Swedish broadcast there was a part of a programme that highlighted the possibilities to sequestrate CO2 from bio-energy and in that way use energy in a way that it takes the carbon out of the atmosphere. It is more than carbon neutral. It is carbon negative.
Another small scale alternative that is very interesting is the charcoal stove that reduce the impact of deforestation related to use wood for cooking, improve health for women and children in poor districts of the world, captures coal out of the atmosphere and fertilize the earth.
I guess that we need all this good alternative to start the transformation from a fossil based society to a more just and sustainable world.
In the perspective of the poor and vulnerable, that should always be the perspective of faith communities, this is good news and we need to tell the decision makers that there are possibilities to change and the time is now!

Climate is a small issue in Swedish elections

Coming Sunday the Swedish election for a new parliament will take place.
Unfortunately Climate Change is not a big issue. The discussions about climate is mostly about what to do in Sweden. Railways or taxes, windmills or nuclear. But the moral view and the global consequences of climate change is not on the table at all.
It is remarkable to see that one year ago everyone interpreted every small shift in the weather as a result of climate change and was pointing to UNFCCC meeting in Copenhagen. Today with on of the largest weather related catastrophes ever in Pakistan with millions of people affected and the heatwave and wildfires in Russia last months no one relates to this as what will be more common in the future due to climate change.
The Swedish government are just bragging about that they have the best climate policy in the world. Something that is not true.
The rich countries of the world have the obligation to start the exodus of the fossil based society, not to say that developing countries should do something first. Those who have build their prosperity on fossils should also take responsibility to at the same time change to renewable energy on a large scale and at the same time help developing countries to take a leapfrog over the fossils. But I can´t hear anything in that direction in the political debate today. I guess we need a shift of mindset. Act locally and think globally!

Pilgrimage with good outcome

The pilgrimage with European Catholic Bishops ended in Maria Zell in Austria today. In a good, serious and open way the days have been filled with sharing, discussion and a will to act and participate in a change to another way of care for creation. I just give you some points from the message that I hope will be published soon

• The need for education and action /ecomanagement. I am very glad to see the positive standpoints to actions among churches in the environmental field. It was often pointed out among the pilgrims the importance to act on every level.
• The solidarity with the poor. The perspective of the poor has always been one of the pillars of a good grounded climate change work in faith communities. I was very glad to find this perspective in the document. This statement can be a good platform for coming activities.
• The ecojustice aspect When it comes to climate change it is more than clear that the most vulnerable to climate induced catastrophes are to a large extent those who contributed less. We will need a way to develop this subject on a broad ecumenical bases and this message gives good incentives for a further dialogue.
• The inclusion of future generations The concept of sustainable development is pivotal for a good environmental work. One part of the definition of sustainable development is the intergenerational perspective. This combined with the of solidarity with the poor and a justice perspective makes this message as a good message on the importance to work on all aspects of the concept of Sustainable Development.
• Referring to the Sibiu agreement on Creation time It is also very satisfying and encouraging to see the reference to Sibiu and the endorsement of Creation Time. This has been one of the more spread parts of ECEN activities so it is very pleasing to see the affirmation of Creation Time.
• Stressing the importance of ecumenical praying and services There was an ecumenical service in the cathedral of St Pölten. Good to see the need for more ecumenism in this issue

CCEE on a Pilgrimage

CCEE, the European Catholic Bishops conference is on a pilgrimage from Eztragon in Hungary to Maria Zell in Austria. I am attending the the pilgrimage as one of two invited guests from ECEN network.
Yesterday we was on an excursion to a bio diesel factory in Komarom on the border between Hungary and Slovakia.
It is really encouraging to witness the rising interest to act and to think over the issues that relates to the on a broad level to sustainable development. The bio diesel plant was an example that we can do a lot with the technique we have and recycle what we used in a much more efficient and sustainable way.
But if you think that bio diesel is the solution that will replace oil it is not an option. The option now is to start thinking in a different way. We have to think of a future with less use and more efficient use of energy, energy coming from all kinds of renewable sources, not only one or two. This thinking projects another way of living. A much better "another way of living" and if churches should do anything it must be to give visions of how we can live a good life together on this earth. I hope that this pilgrimage will inspire the catholic bishops to come up with a multitude of visions of a new sustainable life for all of the creation