GIVING TO projects in the developing world can enable people who are hardest-hit by climate change to adapt to it. These are people like Ernestina. Three years ago, a succession of storms battered Ernestina’s home in Honduras — three in less than a month. It resisted the first two. The third one, Hurricane Gama, flattened it.
Torrential rain flowed into rivers and lagoons much faster than usual, carrying vast loads of topsoil down the hillsides. The trees that would formerly have slowed down the waves of water had been cut down to provide space for houses, and used for building materials and firewood. On the lagoon shores, mangroves had also been chopped down, leaving the community even more vulnerable to flooding.
Water levels rose, sweeping away Ernestina’s home and the homes of many other villagers, as well as several schools, churches, and family businesses. Ernestina escaped with only the clothes she was wearing.
Tearfund’s Christian partner Mopawi works with churches to help bring lifesaving help to people like Ernestina. They are helping the community to prepare for a changing climate by replanting mangroves, sea grapes, and other trees that for thousands of years have helped protect these coastal areas from floods and storms.
Christians at Mopawi also encourage people to use cleaner energy. They are now building more efficient wood-burning stoves, so that families need to cut down fewer trees for firewood.
Thanks to Mopawi’s help, the quality of life in Ernestina’s community and the surrounding area has improved. The community has built new schools, health centres, and churches, and has been able to install piped drinking water.
This is where you can help. In 2 Corinthians 8.13-15, it says: “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written, ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’”
By using Tearfund’s online giving form and taking similar opportunities, you can share your money with poor communities such as Ernestina’s, which are now being hit by climate change.
The carbon fast
The Christian relief and development agency Tearfund invites you to join a carbon fast during Lent.
Friday 14 March
Draw the curtains to keep the heat in.
Saturday 15 March
Could your church be greener? Talk to your church leaders. Tearfund can help you with this. Visit www.tearfund.org/climate for more information.
Palm Sunday
Replace your missing bulb with an energy-saving light bulb. Over its lifetime, you will save 60 kg of carbon dioxide per year and up to £60.
Make a personal pledge to serve others by pursuing a more sustainable way of life.
www.tearfund.org/carbonfast
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