NASA Climate Spiral
This visualization created by designer Mark SubbaRao shows clearly how rapidly we're reaching a point where global warming will make Earth uninhabitable for humans and many other species. (Credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio)
If your congregation is taking up creation care advocacy, I recommend you capture a new scientific visualization from NASA.
I came across this stunning video thanks to the Washington Post's Philip Bump, who writes its regular "How to Read This Chart" column. The video was created by designer Mark SubbaRao, who started out merely playing around with new software and ended up with a graphic depiction of what will happen if we don't commit immediately to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions that are fueling the climate crisis.
For those techies among our readers who'd like more, Mr. Bump writes that Mr. SubbaRao is using a video effects program called Houdini that quickly makes three-dimensional animations. Its three-dimensional aspect sets it apart from previous climate visualizations, writes Mr. Bump.
Beyond educational materials for climate studies, think what kinds of informative or inspiring videos might be created for church budgets, mission projects and other ministries. Having grown up with NASA practically next door since my mother worked for one of its Florida subcontractors, I find this new visualization just one more sign that science and religion aren't adversaries, but two sides of the same coin of God's creative economy.
UN exec warns: We're 'sleepwalking to catastrophe'
The Washington Post's Climate 2.0 newsletter for March 21 reports: United Nations Secretary General António Guterres warned a recent economic summit that "the more ambitious goal of the 2015 Paris agreement — to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) above preindustrial levels — is slipping out of reach," according to The Washington Post's Brady Dennis.
“We are sleepwalking to climate catastrophe," Guterres was quoted. “Our planet has already warmed by as much as 1.2 degrees — and we see the devastating consequences everywhere.” Sounds like Secretary Guterres may have seen the aforementioned climate spiral video.
"But in the lead-up to the next U.N. climate conference, known as COP27 and set to be hosted by Egypt in November, the world remains perilously off track from meeting even the less ambitious goal of the Paris agreement — to limit the Earth's warming to 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) since the late 1800s," wrote Maxine Joselow for the newsletter.
It's definitely time to show the climate spiral video to our churches, so that we can advocate for public policies to get back on track with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Preaching climate resilience
If all this sounds daunting to bring up in church, there's still time to register for Creation Justice Ministries' March 24 webinar: "Preaching Resilience: Cultivating Climate Justice from the Pulpit."
Avery Davis Lamb, one of the ecumenical movement's leaders, writes in an email that the webinar will cover:
- Learn about building climate resilience into your preaching and worship.
- Gain tools for preaching climate justice year-round.
- Consider how to weave climate resilience into your church’s plans for Earth Day Sunday.
The webinar commences at 6 p.m. EDT. Register Here
Media Mentions as of March 21, 2022
Until now, this column has concentrated on the three biggest crises to hit the church and the world over the past two years: the coronavirus pandemic, the climate crisis and racism. Now there's an internal crisis facing The United Metthodist Church over the announced launch of a breakaway denomination, the Global Methodist Church, and a new surge of anti-LGBTQ legislation and policies in states. In order to help our readers get as many perspectives as possible on these two crises, I'm going to start include relatedm "media mentions" related in this space.
Arkansas United Methodists weighing option of splitting for Global Methodist Church – The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Is a United Methodist church near you cutting ties with its denomination? - The Oklahoman
The Latest United Methodist Bombshell Will Create News Throughout 2022 And Beyond – Religion Unplugged
Houseless Connect Event at Nehalem Bay United Methodist Church March 30th – Tillamook County Pioneer
Ministry Introduces new homes to community | Local News | morganton.com
Anti-LGBTQ legislation is bad science, bad politics and bad theology, and it’s going to get people killed Baptist News Global
Mission minded: Jewelry ministry raises funds for local and international causes - The Toledo Blade
Oklahoma church hosts vigil in response to war in Ukraine - The Oklahoman
Mission trips provide avenue to aid Ukraine – The Call, Holston Conference newspaper
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. Email Insight for permission to republish this content elsewhere.