Why God's Word compels us to be green

By the time you read this, the World Summit on Sustainable Development will be underway in Johannesburg.

We haven't made much progress in the 10 years since the Rio earth summit. Emissions of greenhouse gases are still rising. We still destroy habitats around the globe at a frightening rate. And scientists have recently found that the Asian Brown Cloud - a cocktail of pollutants - is two miles thick and covers 10 million square miles.

We're facing major climate change: we've had the warmest first half of the year in Europe for 143 years and one of the wettest summers with flooding across Europe.

Earlier this year a 10,000 square kilometre Antarctic ice-shelf shattered.

Many wealthy nations talk a lot of hot air about environmental concern but apparently don't want to accept their responsibilities. The USA and Australia refuse to sign the Kyoto Protocol on emissions. They argue it will damage the economy.

As a result, the World Summit could be a washout.

Ironically, caring for the environment would have positive economic effects. A recent study showed that the economic value of wild ecosystems far outweighs the value of converting them to cropland or housing - by a staggering 100 to 1.

Many Christians seem unconcerned about all this. At least, it may worry them but they don't see any personal responsibility to DO anything. However, it's an important issue for two reasons:

First, Genesis tells us we are stewards of creation - caring for it on God's behalf. Paul is clear in Romans 8 that creation, along with God's children, will one day find freedom from death and decay. We should work towards that day in both our dealings with other people and with the environment.

Second, back in 1967, historian Lynn White claimed that 'Christianity bears a huge burden of guilt' for environmental exploitation. It's a line that environmentalists keep trotting out. It's why so many of them are hostile to Christian faith.

This is a gross distortion of the truth that we should disarm by genuine, practical care for creation.

Caring for creation today means we must press governments to do everything possible to halt the spoiling of our world. And it means taking practical steps in our own lives to help the environment.

We may feel that our little bit doesn't do much. But not only do little bits add up, we are to be stewards - not just corporately but individually.

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