Helen Parry from LICC comments on the need to live simply and generously

Helen Parry

Did you notice it? About a fortnight ago, while we were welcoming the first signs of spring, Climate Change Week came and went. Complain about the climate we do, acknowledge climate change we may, but accept any responsibility for it - few of us seem willing.

It's a strange irony that the government's Environment Secretary, Owen Patterson, should be known as a 'climate change sceptic'. While we know that all government departments are required to make large savings, a reduction of 41% in the UK's budget for domestic 'climate change initiatives' seems crazy.

As Bob Ward, policy director at the London School of Economics' Grantham Research Institute, put it: 'These shocking figures should worry everyone in the UK. Defra [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] is the lead government department for climate change adaptation and is primarily responsible for making the UK resilient to the impacts of global warming, such as increased flood risk.'

It's understandable that, after the recent storms and floods, politicians - with a general election looming - should focus on domestic problems. But the government's ambivalence about sustainable energy has wider implications. And Christian concern should embrace the world: who, after all, is my neighbour?

In her Richard Dimbleby Lecture in February, entitled 'A New Multilateralism for the 21st Century', Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, said: 'We can expect growing pressure points around water, food and energy scarcity as the century progresses... Hovering over all of this is the merciless march of climate change. Because of humanity's hubris, the natural environment, which we need to sustain us, is instead turning against us.'

How often do we have to hear the same message before we take it seriously? During the recession, the pressure to economise on global problems has been stronger than ever. But even self-interest demands that we take a long-term view.

We are all to some extent responsible, and our hubris and complacency will result in crises in food, water and energy, which will engulf the world - but the poor sooner than the rich.

We are all heirs of God's creation command to 'work' the garden and 'take care of it' (Genesis 2:15). The church and individual Christians have an outstanding opportunity - if not obligation - to take on a prophetic role. And in our everyday lives - in our consumption and in our giving - embrace the values of simplicity and generosity.