Language of God

182. Christian Climate Observers | Stories from COP29 & Around the World

Feb 13, 2025

Litaro Malerani Yermia Allen, Miss Samoa, passionately advocates for climate solutions impacting Pacific islands. She shares inspiring stories from COP29, despite disappointing policy outcomes. The conversation intertwines faith and climate action, highlighting the urgent need for financial support for vulnerable communities. Listeners will learn about the importance of tree planting and the personal transformation required for environmental stewardship. Allen emphasizes solidarity with indigenous voices facing climate challenges and calls for greater Christian responsibility in addressing climate justice.

51:31

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Episode guests

Litaro Malerani Yermia Allen

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Quick takeaways

COP29 revealed the urgent financial disparities in climate action, with a goal of only $300 billion annually falling short of the $1.3 trillion needed.

Personal accounts from impacted communities highlight the severe effects of climate change and emphasize the moral responsibility of faith communities to engage in stewardship.

Deep dives

Historical Context of Climate Change Awareness

James Hansen's testimony before the U.S. Senate in June 1988 marked a significant moment in acknowledging climate change, leading to the formation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988. The IPCC's first report in 1990 warned that human activities were increasing greenhouse gases, predicting global temperature and sea-level rises. Further discussions at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro resulted in the establishment of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), providing a platform for nations to collaborate in addressing climate challenges. Over 29 COP meetings have followed, including COP29 in November 2024, where 198 countries sought to advance global climate action.

Intro

3min

Reflections from COP29: Faith, Climate, and Global Unity

15min

Connecting Faith and Environment Through Tree Planting

3min

Exploring Dominion and Personal Transformation in Environmental Stewardship

2min

Voices of Change: Climate Impact on Indigenous Communities

24min

Humility, Compassion, and Collective Responsibility in Climate Action

5min

In the fall of 2024 198 countries from around the world came together in Azerbaijan, at COP29, to try and find solutions to the climate crisis. While the policy outcomes were disappointing, the stories of people from around the world were inspiring, even if they include a lot of pain and suffering. These stories help to connect us to our neighbors from around the world and these stories can help to reframe how Christians, especially those in America, can think about their role in the climate crisis and how to respond.

Additional Resources:

More in depth reporting on COP29 at Carbon Brief
Katharine Hayhoe's Global Weirding Series
Christian Climate Observers Program
Reformed Journal Article by Colin
BioLogos Common Question: Why Should Christians Care for Creation
BioLogos Animated Video: Why Should Christians Care for Creation (video)
Language of God Podcast Series: Creation Groans