Bleached coral, like this in New Caledonia,
has become a global phenomenon and a stark indicator
of the impact of unabated climate change.
Corals are crucial ocean nurseries,
nurturing up to 25 percent of all marine species.
Credit: XL Catlin Seaview Survey/March 2016.
Photo and comment copied with thanks from ‘Inside Science News’
Corals are bleaching
(Suggested Tune Bunessan/ Morning has broken)
(Suggested Tune Bunessan/ Morning has broken)
Corals are bleaching,
glaciers receding,
sea levels rising
on many shores.
Species are dying,
fewer birds flying.
Plastics defiling
the oceans’ floors.
Refrain
Father forgive us
all of our blindness
that fails to see
the truth in the facts,
that we are killing
our precious planet.
Wake us from slumber;
Stir us to act.
Cyclones, tornadoes
are more ferocious;
witness the records
of current times.
Flooding and droughts
are far more disastrous;
homes and lives lost
in torrents and slime.
Refrain.
Make us determined
To be good stewards
of this your planet
to which Christ came.
We as his people
must fight for justice
by seeking ways
to curb climate change.
The justice identified in the last verse, is a critical concept for Christians: over and again, it becomes absolutely clear that it is the poorest who already are, and will keep on suffering most from the effects of climate change and chaos. So if we have any heart for the poor, doing whatever we can to mitigate these effects is our duty as followers of Christ.
Further poems, hymns, songs about Caring for our Common Home can be found at the
Living With Integrity pages on this blog
The justice identified in the last verse, is a critical concept for Christians: over and again, it becomes absolutely clear that it is the poorest who already are, and will keep on suffering most from the effects of climate change and chaos. So if we have any heart for the poor, doing whatever we can to mitigate these effects is our duty as followers of Christ.
Further poems, hymns, songs about Caring for our Common Home can be found at the
Original introduction: In a very active protest week in Cambridge UK, with a roundabout sealed off by Extinction Rebellion Youth
and a college lawn dug up,
this new song is dedicated to the protestors
and those of Christian Climate Action
who will be celebrating Communion alongside
other protesters.
