One Week Down, One Week To Go

Today is the day I leave. My bags are packed, I've got my itinerary and passport, and Russ is ready to drop me off at the airport.

The conference was prominent in the news this week, from the fun, smaller news like Coke's advertisement "Hopenhagen" to the important, bigger news of the negotiations taking place in within the 190 countries of the United Nations who are present. We have heard both words of hope and doubt at this half way point.

Many political promises are being made, including one from the United States to curb carbon emissions by 2020, but there is much opposition to the proposals. They will cost too much money. They are just political promises, not policy changes.

However, there have also been several other pieces in the news - unrelated to the conference in Copenhagen but very much related to the climate change our world is experiencing. A study on the migratory patterns of a small bird in the United Kingdom was released that shows evidence of human activity altering both the timeline and the distance of one species of bird. The implications however, are more far reaching than just this species. Because the birds are leaving later, and because of the steady food supply from bird feeders, they aren't leaving room for other species of birds who use the same nesting areas, and which are subsequently experiencing a drop in population.

Just yesterday there was a warning sent out from Australia's coast of an iceberg that broke off of Antarctica in 2000 - the massive structure, 12 miles long and 5 miles wide, is approaching Australia's coast and poses major risks to sea vessels in the area.

There are many stories similar to this one. Creation is sending us the signals, we must now pay attention and strive to make changes which will ensure a sustainable earth for generations to come. Even though many are doubtful about the results of Copenhagen, I am still hopeful that even if no policy agreement comes about, we have a wonderful opportunity to spread the message and teach others to be advocates for creation. Christ said that the greatest commandment was to 'love the Lord your God' and the second was 'to love your neighbor as yourself.' Care for creation is an issue of loving the neighbor - the creatures, flowers, rocks, and water that surrounds us every day.

I hope to see much more of this attitude when I arrive in Copenhagen tomorrow. Until next time!