No time to lose: Church and Climate Justice

The Antilles Episcopal Conference (AEC) held their 69th Annual Plenary Meeting from May 11–16 in the Archdiocese of Kingston, Jamaica. The English-speaking Caribbean’s first professor of Caribbean Theology and Ethics, Professor Anna Kasafi Perkins addressed the bishops on May 15 on youth (part 1 – July 20 issue), social justice, and the evolving digital landscape (part 2 – July 27 issue). In this part 3 conclusion, she addresses the environment.

The fourth critical issue demanding our immediate and sustained attention is the escalating climate crisis and its profound impact on our Caribbean nations. Our islands are uniquely vulnerable to the devastating effects of climate change, facing rising sea levels, more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and altered rainfall patterns.

The consequences are already being felt across our communities, threatening livelihoods, infrastructure, and the very fabric of our island life.

When Bob (Marley) laments that “there is so much trouble in the world”, he never envisioned the levels of devastation caused by the climate crisis, as PM Mottley calls it.

The scientific evidence is stark. We are the victims of “scientific atrocity” and “technological inhumanity…in a world that forces lifelong insecurity”, as Marley mourns in ‘Black Survivors’. A world we did not make, as Mia Mottley reminds world leaders.

Sea levels in the Caribbean are rising at a rate faster than the global average, with projections indicating a potential increase of up to one metre by the end of the century. This threatens coastal communities, contaminates freshwater sources, and erodes our shorelines, impacting vital sectors like tourism.

We are also witnessing an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Hurricane Beryl, for example, reached Category 5 intensity earlier in the season than any storm on record, causing widespread destruction.

These events not only cause immediate devastation but also hinder long-term economic development, diverting scarce resources towards recovery and reconstruction.

Our agricultural sector, a cornerstone of many Caribbean economies, is also under threat from changing rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts, impacting food security and livelihoods.

The AEC has already recognised the urgency of this crisis. Our 2005 Pastoral Letter, Caring for the Earth – Our Responsibility, called for reflection and action on ecological challenges, emphasising our role as stewards of God’s creation.

The 2015 Declaration on Climate Change further highlighted the significant threat to Caribbean life and urged a global commitment to limit temperature increase. These statements align with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, which calls for an integral ecological conversion and emphasises the interconnectedness of all creation.

To address this critical issue, we must strengthen our advocacy for climate justice at local, regional, and international levels. We need to promote sustainable practices within our Church communities and encourage our faithful to adopt more environmentally conscious lifestyles, echoing the call for simplicity in our pastoral letters.

(I have a PhD student looking at theocentric values and recycling. To my shame, I wasn’t able to point her to one Roman Catholic Church involved formally in recycling, and I haven’t done anything about it beyond continuing my personal efforts to recycle.)

Collaborating with governments, civil society organisations, and other faith-based groups is essential to develop and implement effective adaptation and mitigation strategies.

We must also continue to raise awareness about the disproportionate impact of climate change on the poor and vulnerable within our societies, ensuring that climate action is rooted in principles of justice and equity. Furthermore, supporting initiatives that promote renewable energy and sustainable development across our islands is crucial for building a more resilient future.

In conclusion, my brother bishops and clergy, fellow panellists, the challenges before us are significant but not insurmountable. The diminishing engagement of our youth, the persistent scourge of crime and violence, the imperative to embrace the digital landscape, and the escalating climate crisis all demand our focused attention and concerted action.

However, as evidenced by our rich history of pastoral engagement and the insights gleaned from our recent synodal journey, the Church in the Antilles possesses the resilience, the faith, and the leadership necessary to navigate these complex issues. Let us move forward with prayerful determination, drawing strength from our shared faith and working collaboratively to ensure a vibrant and impactful future for the Church in the Antilles and the safeguarding of our precious island homes, “for we’ve got no time to lose”, as Marley exhorts us in the ‘Black Survivors’.