390
C. W. Ayre
all the children of our blue Pacific is uncertain – unless urgent, ambitious action is taken to
limit global warming to below 1.5C.
At the time of writing, the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating the global community, and it is far from clear how or when it will end, what the post-pandemic world
will look like or indeed whether the Pacific Island region will continue to be spared
(Leal Filho et al. 2020). But it is worth noting that some national and local leaders
are emphasising that “we are all in this together”; certainly, it can bring out the worst
in some folk, but there is arguably an even stronger focus on care for one another.
The feeling of powerlessness through isolation is a problem. But some are trying to
encourage the community with phrases like “We can do this”! Within the framework
of a sustainable Pacific, a similar mantra can apply if as Churches in the region we
can apply ourselves to the needs and opportunities presented.
References
Act for Peace (NCCA) (2020) (Press Release). Weathering the climate emergency together. www.
actforpeace.org.au
Ayre C (2013) Earth, faith and mission: the theology and practice of earthcare. Morning Star
Publishing, Northcote
Barnett J (2020) Climate change and food security in the Pacific Islands. In: Connell J, Lowitt K
(eds) Food security in small Island States. Springer, Singapore
Bassett L (ed) (2000) Earth and faith: a book of reflection for action. The United Nations
Environment Programme, New York
Becker M, Meyssignac C, Letetrel W, Cazenave T (2012) Sea level variations at tropical Pacific
islands since 1950. Glob Planet Chang 80–81:85–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2011.
09.004
Bhagwan J (2019) The effect of modern “development” trends on the Pacific. https://www.pacifi
cconferenceofchurches.org/f/climate-initiatives-must-change
Bosch DJ (1991) Transforming mission: paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Orbis Books,
Maryknoll, NY
Bühlmann W (1982) The chosen peoples. St Paul Publications, Middlegreen, Slough, UK
Conradie E (2007) The whole household of God (oikos): some ecclesiological perspectives (Part 1
and 2). Scriptura 94:1–28
Conradie E (2008) The church and climate change. Cluster Publications, Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa
Conradie E (2011) Christianity and earthkeeping: in search of an inspiring vision. Sun Press,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Duchrow U, Liedke G (1989) Shalom: biblical perspectives on creation, justice, and peace. WCC
Publications, Geneva
Forrester DB (2000) Truthful action: explorations in practical theology. T & T Clark, Edinburgh
Geyer C (2014) Report on Green churches: ecology, theology and justice in practice. Unpublished
Langmead R (2002) Ecomissiology. Missiology: Int Rev XXX(4) Oct 2002
Lavers JL, Bond AL (2017) Exceptional and rapid accumulation of anthropogenic debris on one
of the world’s most pristine islands. PNAS 114(23):6052–6055. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/
pnas.1619818114
Leal Filho W, Ha’apio MO, Luetz JM, Li C (2020) Climate change adaptation as a development
challenge to small Island states: a case study from the Solomon Islands. Environ Sci Policy
107:179–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.03.008
C. W. Ayre
all the children of our blue Pacific is uncertain – unless urgent, ambitious action is taken to
limit global warming to below 1.5C.
At the time of writing, the COVID-19 pandemic is devastating the global community, and it is far from clear how or when it will end, what the post-pandemic world
will look like or indeed whether the Pacific Island region will continue to be spared
(Leal Filho et al. 2020). But it is worth noting that some national and local leaders
are emphasising that “we are all in this together”; certainly, it can bring out the worst
in some folk, but there is arguably an even stronger focus on care for one another.
The feeling of powerlessness through isolation is a problem. But some are trying to
encourage the community with phrases like “We can do this”! Within the framework
of a sustainable Pacific, a similar mantra can apply if as Churches in the region we
can apply ourselves to the needs and opportunities presented.
References
Act for Peace (NCCA) (2020) (Press Release). Weathering the climate emergency together. www.
actforpeace.org.au
Ayre C (2013) Earth, faith and mission: the theology and practice of earthcare. Morning Star
Publishing, Northcote
Barnett J (2020) Climate change and food security in the Pacific Islands. In: Connell J, Lowitt K
(eds) Food security in small Island States. Springer, Singapore
Bassett L (ed) (2000) Earth and faith: a book of reflection for action. The United Nations
Environment Programme, New York
Becker M, Meyssignac C, Letetrel W, Cazenave T (2012) Sea level variations at tropical Pacific
islands since 1950. Glob Planet Chang 80–81:85–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2011.
09.004
Bhagwan J (2019) The effect of modern “development” trends on the Pacific. https://www.pacifi
cconferenceofchurches.org/f/climate-initiatives-must-change
Bosch DJ (1991) Transforming mission: paradigm shifts in theology of mission. Orbis Books,
Maryknoll, NY
Bühlmann W (1982) The chosen peoples. St Paul Publications, Middlegreen, Slough, UK
Conradie E (2007) The whole household of God (oikos): some ecclesiological perspectives (Part 1
and 2). Scriptura 94:1–28
Conradie E (2008) The church and climate change. Cluster Publications, Pietermaritzburg, South
Africa
Conradie E (2011) Christianity and earthkeeping: in search of an inspiring vision. Sun Press,
Stellenbosch, South Africa
Duchrow U, Liedke G (1989) Shalom: biblical perspectives on creation, justice, and peace. WCC
Publications, Geneva
Forrester DB (2000) Truthful action: explorations in practical theology. T & T Clark, Edinburgh
Geyer C (2014) Report on Green churches: ecology, theology and justice in practice. Unpublished
Langmead R (2002) Ecomissiology. Missiology: Int Rev XXX(4) Oct 2002
Lavers JL, Bond AL (2017) Exceptional and rapid accumulation of anthropogenic debris on one
of the world’s most pristine islands. PNAS 114(23):6052–6055. www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/
pnas.1619818114
Leal Filho W, Ha’apio MO, Luetz JM, Li C (2020) Climate change adaptation as a development
challenge to small Island states: a case study from the Solomon Islands. Environ Sci Policy
107:179–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.03.008