Passing news & Good News

This article relates the selfishness of mankind in shaping events that are in the news with the timeless message of our Lord Jesus.

As I write, the current news is suggesting that the oil protests that occurred in Britain in September had an even more sinister and violent side than previously acknowledged. Moreover, it is suggested that the Oil Companies were happy to exploit events to direct attention from their own profiteering and to put pressure on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to discourage him from reintroducing tax on their production operations around the British coast. Because I was once in charge of energy emergency planning in North West England, I know that the powers exist to defend crucial depots such as Stanlow. In fact they were made available for use, by Order in Council, towards the end of the recent dispute. However, I was not comfortable about the sweeping powers that I would have had, in the event of an emergency, at the time of the Gulf War a decade ago. Rather, we should always be grateful when good sense, rather than force, prevails.

There is an ominous symmetry about the hardship caused by the flooding in Sussex, Kent and the continuing demand for cheaper oil. We have brought about climate change by our own actions by the use of fossil fuels, such as oil, and yet we object to paying for the damage we have caused. Surely this is a reminder of the truth of the foolish human disobedience in Eden, related in Genesis, chapters 2 and 3? God given abundance surrounds us but, because of our selfish desire for what does us harm, we bring exile and hardship upon ourselves. In case you think that I exaggerate, the recent report produced by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (entitled 'Energy - The Changing Climate') showed that even by the most conservative estimates there is more than enough renewable energy available to meet present and foreseeable demands in the UK. My own researches suggest that this is true throughout the world. Instead, we are wedded to the use of finite and damaging alternatives that have, for example, increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by over 25% and helped create a hole in the ozone layer that protects us from some of the harmful effects of the sun's rays.

The use of force and taxation, the usual political answer, is not the solution. We must change the way we live or else our hardship will get worse. My prime recommendation, as somebody who has studied the possibilities for producing sustainable development, is that you should turn to Matthew, chapter 6, verses 5-15 but do not just say the words, live them! The Christian Churches are working together under the banner 'Eco-Congregation'. We can make a start at any time. Speak to any minister at a participating church or follow the guidance and links on this web site.

Paul Newman

October, 2000

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