On this day in history, February 16th, 2005, the Kyoto Protocol, aimed at reducing greenhouse emissions was enacted. It is regarded as the most significant environmental protection treaty ever negotiated for calling for a 5% rollback of greenhouse emissions of 1990 levels. This UN treaty was signed by 41 nations and the European Union and subsequent commitments have followed, such the Doha Agreement of 2012 and the Paris Agreement of 2015. [1]
By adhering to the goals of the Protocol, there is a measurable decline in greenhouse gas emissions. A recent Stanford University study found that 64 nations had less emissions between 2016 and 2020.
However, 150 nations had an increase. The same study found that emissions cuts are only achieving 10% of the achieved outcome of the Kyoto Agreement which is to see a drop of a degree celsius in the earth’s temprature. [2] While attempts are being made, the industrial/ globalized/ capitalist/ fast-moving world makes climate change measures difficult, if not impossible, for nations to change.
The existence, impact and policy of global warming is a highly politicized and contentious issue around the world. Those debates won’t be settled here, however, each Christ follower must grapple with God’s mandate to steward the earth that He created.
In Genesis 2 it described that: “The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (v. 16).
Fewer and fewer people “work” the land directly as was the primary profession of most people for most of human history. For example, in America, only 1.3% (2.6 million people) of the population are farmers. [3] Just a century ago, in 1920, 50% of Americans were farmers. [4] Two hundred years ago, in 1820, 90% of Americans were farmers. [5] This shift, which is mirrored around most nations in the world, has resulted in an “out of sight, out of mind” approach to the health of land, sea and sky. The lack of connection and direct dependence on the land, I would argue, has contributed towards the sense of neglect towards God’s call for stewardship.
In an industrial/ globalized/ capitalist/ fast-moving world, how do we heed God’s call to steward His creation when we need to function with the products, fuels and ways of our current way of life?
Begin with praying that God will reveal how you specifically are to follow His commandment to “work and take care” of His creation. Secondly, find ways to connect with God through His creation. The best place to start is going for a walk outside. By simply enjoying the trees, birds, clouds and plants, you will find yourself naturally thanking Him for His provision of desiring to steward His creation more.
Ongoingly and ultimately have hope in Him. Even though greenhouse gas emissions may rise, God will one day create a new earth. In Revelations 22, John reveals that the new earth will have cities, but there will be “river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street and city” (Rev. 22: 2). One day we will behold that fully redeemed city, but for now, let’s trust Jesus the Redeemer is working through the middle of our streets and cities to redeem people and His creation back to Himself.
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Footnotes:
- https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/February-16
- https://earth.stanford.edu/news/global-carbon-emissions-need-shrink-10-times-faster-0#gs.pvpv73
- https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/farming-industry-facts-us-2019-5-1028242678
- https://www.nytimes.com/1988/07/20/us/farm-population-lowest-since-1850-s.html
- https://www.pbs.org/ktca/farmhouses/sustainable_future.html