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K. McKenna and L. T. Yakam
Three participants reported no observed changes in produce including, peanuts
(Participant 6), carrots, onion, ginger (Participant 5), and sago (Participant 8). One
re-seller also explained that while warmer temperatures are damaging vegetables
such as bok choy, the quality of ginger and carrots is now actually better because it
has become warmer for longer (Participant 3).
Interpretations of the Cause of Change
When participants were asked about the cause of these changes in the climate, a
common theme quickly emerged in most interviews referring to Christian notions of
“the Last Days” or “the End Times”. The following quotes illustrate the point:
… These things are because we’re living in the Last Days. So, there is not much we can do
about it. That’s why these things are happening. (Participant 11)
… the Last Days in biblical terms – that’s the only thing and we have to go to church and
start changing our ways. It’s God who is doing this. (Participant 1)
… I’m thinking it is the end of the world and God will come. Big man ba come [big man
[God or Jesus] will return]. The world is ending – that is why the climate is changing. The
only person with control of this is God. (Participant 2)
…thinking the End of Days is why this is happening. Before it was never happening. The
end of times. According to the Bible, in Noah’s time, in the Old Testament, water covered
the whole earth. Brought new changes. We will go through the same. Fire will consume the
earth. This heat could be that end of world is coming. Before we used to be living in cold
weather. (Participants 12 & 13)
Participants also associated the healthy growth and cultivation of their garden produce
with their faith in God. This is clearly expressed by the following participant;
…food is growing well because God blesses the garden. If you have a good relationship with
God, it will grow well. (Participant 6)
The participants identify with a range of Christian denominations including Seventh
Day Adventist, Lutheran and Catholic and report learning about the End Times at
church and through reading the Bible.
There are two exceptions on the cause of observed changes amongst interviewees.
One participant made reference to global warming which she had learned about at
school “but I stayed out of school to help my family and [have now] forgotten about
it” (Participants 12 & 13). Another participant linked climate change to the testing
of nuclear weapons:
…It’s a global problem because bigger countries are building nuclear weapons and testing
bombs. America, North Korea, Russia – all the big countries. (Participant 11)
K. McKenna and L. T. Yakam
Three participants reported no observed changes in produce including, peanuts
(Participant 6), carrots, onion, ginger (Participant 5), and sago (Participant 8). One
re-seller also explained that while warmer temperatures are damaging vegetables
such as bok choy, the quality of ginger and carrots is now actually better because it
has become warmer for longer (Participant 3).
Interpretations of the Cause of Change
When participants were asked about the cause of these changes in the climate, a
common theme quickly emerged in most interviews referring to Christian notions of
“the Last Days” or “the End Times”. The following quotes illustrate the point:
… These things are because we’re living in the Last Days. So, there is not much we can do
about it. That’s why these things are happening. (Participant 11)
… the Last Days in biblical terms – that’s the only thing and we have to go to church and
start changing our ways. It’s God who is doing this. (Participant 1)
… I’m thinking it is the end of the world and God will come. Big man ba come [big man
[God or Jesus] will return]. The world is ending – that is why the climate is changing. The
only person with control of this is God. (Participant 2)
…thinking the End of Days is why this is happening. Before it was never happening. The
end of times. According to the Bible, in Noah’s time, in the Old Testament, water covered
the whole earth. Brought new changes. We will go through the same. Fire will consume the
earth. This heat could be that end of world is coming. Before we used to be living in cold
weather. (Participants 12 & 13)
Participants also associated the healthy growth and cultivation of their garden produce
with their faith in God. This is clearly expressed by the following participant;
…food is growing well because God blesses the garden. If you have a good relationship with
God, it will grow well. (Participant 6)
The participants identify with a range of Christian denominations including Seventh
Day Adventist, Lutheran and Catholic and report learning about the End Times at
church and through reading the Bible.
There are two exceptions on the cause of observed changes amongst interviewees.
One participant made reference to global warming which she had learned about at
school “but I stayed out of school to help my family and [have now] forgotten about
it” (Participants 12 & 13). Another participant linked climate change to the testing
of nuclear weapons:
…It’s a global problem because bigger countries are building nuclear weapons and testing
bombs. America, North Korea, Russia – all the big countries. (Participant 11)