NEWS & VIEWS: POLLUTION

BASED UPON EVER increasing evidence, there is a scientific consensus that global warming is becoming a reality. Amongst the evidence cited are the following facts:

• Since the beginning of the 20th century, the mean surface temperature of the Earth has increased by about 1.1ºF (0.6°Celsius) and during the last 40 years, which is the period with the most reliable data, the temperature increased by about 0.5ºF (0.2-0.3° Celsius).

• Seven of the ten warmest years in the 20th century occurred in the 1990’s. The hottest year was 1998, with global temperatures spiking due to one of the strongest El Niño’s on record.

• Mountain glaciers throughout the world are receding and the Arctic ice pack has lost about 40% of its thickness over the past 40 years. Since 1979, the size of the summer polar ice cap has shrunk by more than 20 percent.

• The global sea level has been rising about three times faster over the past 100 years compared to the previous 3,000 years.

Changes in global air temperatures. (Source: Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK)

This graph depicting global air temperatures shows the combined global land and marine surface temperature record from 1856 to 2003. The years 2002 and 2003 were jointly the second warmest on record.

THE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

There are various opinions about what the likely outcomes of global warming could be, but there is general agreement that there will be a faster rise in sea level leading to increased flooding. Heat waves will trigger increasing droughts and desert areas will grow in size. This will in turn lead to famine and increased conflict over scarce water resources. The year 2004 saw dramatic climatic events such as increased hurricane activity with loss of life and destruction of property.

THE CAUSES OF GLOBAL WARMING

One of the main causes of global warming is atmospheric pollution. Global temperatures have shown a sharp increase since the mid-1800’s which is generally attributed to an increase in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2). This increase is largely derived from the use of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, though volcanic action also adds to the CO2 levels in the atmosphere.

The record from ice core samples indicates that in the Earth’s past increased CO2 has been closely associated with increased temperatures. Another gas that contributes to global warming is Methane which is 20 times more effective at trapping heat than CO2. Other gases which arise from industrial activity or are used in refrigeration, either contribute to global warming directly by trapping heat, or are thought to contribute to global warming by damaging the ozone layer.

Many people are justifiably concerned about the potential effects of global warming. Yet for all mankind’s efforts to find solutions, including world summits, there is a lack of consensus about measures to reduce pollution. The principle cause of this disagreement is human greed. The USA has thus far declined signing up to the targets agreed for reducing the pollution from industry, transport and heating. Developing nations are more concerned with having a thriving industry and economy, than costly measures to reduce emissions.

The environment is a delicate balance of nature which mankind is polluting with disastrous results. Pollution is responsible for the destruction of plant and animal life, global warming and disease. There are vast swathes of land-fill sites vomiting methane gas and other forms of pollution into the soil. Rivers become so polluted that fish die, there is a rise in asthma and other diseases because of atmospheric pollution - the list could go on. The point is that the beauty and delicate balance of nature is destroyed because of mankind’s mismanagement of the environment.

GOD WILL INTERVENE

Will God allow this situation to continue? The concept of a disaster overtaking the world is often featured in so called ‘disaster movies’ but the reality of the magnitude of the changes that are going to come upon the earth cannot be appreciated. God will intervene and ‘destroy those who destroy the earth’ Revelation 11:18.

Viewed from space the Earth hangs like a magnificent jewel, resplendent in its beauty. With this knowledge which was unknown not many years ago, how is it that we continue to destroy and pollute our environment? The prophet Jeremiah recorded the reality of the situation: ‘it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps’ Jeremiah 10:23. The truth of these words is seen in the world around us - the mismanagement of this beautiful earth as the result of human greed, utter selfishness and blindness to the outcome for the human race.

POLLUTION OF THE MIND

Global warming brought about by atmospheric pollution is a major problem that mankind has brought upon himself, but there is a far greater danger to the future of the human race and that is moral pollution. Not only are we destroying our environment, man is also destroying himself! The majority of people have turned far away from the principles of God’s Word. The Bible is scorned as a source of moral guidance and teaching and rejected as being irrelevant in this modern world. Indeed many people even refuse to accept the existence of their Creator preferring to believe that everything we see around us is the result of blind chance!

Our minds are constantly bombarded with the noise and clamour of the world in one way or another and many people willingly add to this by polluting their own minds! I met a man once who quite openly said that he always had a radio, TV or CD on so that he was never alone with his own thoughts. How sad! This constant bombardment of trivia is something that might be termed ‘mind pollution’. The minds of most people are so full of material things, that there is no room left for spiritual matters.

Little time is set aside for thoughtful contemplation about the ways of God. Yet we all have a great need to redress the balance. Just as plant life needs a healthy environment to flourish, the fertile soil of our minds will become totally unproductive in spiritual matters if we are constantly filling it with polluting influences.

GOD’S PLAN TO END POLLUTION

God has a purpose with the earth and His creation since the beginning. He has allowed a set time for man to seek his Creator and for individuals to demonstrate that they desire to seek out His ways. From Adam onwards that plan and purpose has been moving forwards inexorably towards the time when God will intervene in world affairs. God will send the Lord Jesus Christ back to the earth as promised in His Word. Jesus will set up God's kingdom on earth and then there will be a time of great change for ‘out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem’ [Isaiah 2.3]. The earth will be filled with the glory of God and there will be a time of true and lasting peace for the prophecy continues:

‘He (Jesus) shall judge between the nations, and shall rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore’ Isaiah 2:4.

Man will no longer pollute his environment or his mind but God says through the prophet Ezekiel that a great temple will be built as a ‘House of prayer for all nations’. The earth now is full of spiritual darkness and the majority of its people do not want to know or serve their Creator. Yet the time will come when this will change:

‘…He (God) will destroy on this mountain the surface of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations…And it will be said in that day: ‘Behold, this is our God; We have waited for him, and he will save us. This is the LORD; We have waited for Him; We will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.’ Isaiah 25:7-9.

That shroud of spiritual darkness envelops all nations but it will be lifted. The peoples of the earth will then serve the Lord with one accord. Those who truly love God and believe his word can take comfort from the knowledge that God's word cannot fail:

‘For as the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; It shall not return to me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.’ Isaiah 55:10-11.

God will accomplish His purpose with the earth, it is as certain as the cycle of creation. The present order of things will pass away; the problems confronting mankind will come to an end. There will be no need for conferences to talk about global warming. The Kingdom of God will be established with righteousness and be ruled justly by Jesus Christ. At that time God will bring the problem of global warming under control and turn climatic change to the benefit of mankind:

‘The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose…waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, And streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.’ Isaiah 35:1, 6-7

‘There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; its fruit shall wave like Lebanon’ Psalm 72:16.

Do you want to live in a better world, one free from environmental disasters and all the other problems that beset mankind? More importantly are you looking for a world that is free from the moral pollution that afflicts society today? Then consider these words:

‘Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him; and to our God, For he will abundantly pardon. ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways my ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ Isaiah 55:7-9.

God is willing to extend His mercy and forgiveness towards those who believe His Word, have faith and are obedient to Him. To them He has promised a new life in His Kingdom so soon to come. Will you let your mind be polluted with human ideas, or will you turn to God and put your trust in Him?

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