Sir, - I read the article about the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd RicharChartres, with interest<
href="/80256fa1003e05c1/httppublicpages/9ef2bea8e53a4cf6802571b8004ebd89?opendocumentnews, 28 july). it is good to see a senior clergyman drawing attention tour use of energy, and in particular the burgeoning trend of air travel. and ianswer to the church times's question: yes, i have totally foresworthis means of transport, a decision that may well have reduced my joprospects.
i know of members of local congregations, however, whhave undertaken holidays abroad recently. they seem oblivious to thconsequences: environmental damage; and increasing problems for, first, poorecommunities, but ultimately our own future generations. this is despite massivgeneral publicity about climate change, and in particular two recent pleas iour parish magazine to choose not to fly. help towards responsibldecision-making is available, but it seems not to be widelaccepted.
why is it that such indulgence is practised by evidentlstaunch christians, when the probable effects of an energy-greedy lifestyle arincreasingly spelled out? would these people blithely drive through a retraffic light, or play around with a loaded firearm? i doubt it. but they seehappy to exacerbate risks to our third world neighbours, and to their owunborn descendants.
perhaps, until these sorts of questions arsolved, we shall continue a losing battle with people's consciences. meanwhileconsidered and careful pronouncements, such as those uttered by the bishop olondon, though likely to be unpopular with many, are a welcome reiteration othe ways we must adopt if the planet is to remain sympathetic to our need
christopher j. lowe
25 north end, hutton rudby
yarm ts15 0dg). it is good to see a senior clergyman drawing attention tour use of energy, and in particular the burgeoning trend of air travel. and ianswer to the church times's question: yes, i have totally foresworthis means of transport, a decision that may well have reduced my joprospects.
i know of members of local congregations, however, whhave undertaken holidays abroad recently. they seem oblivious to thconsequences: environmental damage; and increasing problems for, first, poorecommunities, but ultimately our own future generations. this is despite massivgeneral publicity about climate change, and in particular two recent pleas iour parish magazine to choose not to fly. help towards responsibldecision-making is available, but it seems not to be widelaccepted.
why is it that such indulgence is practised by evidentlstaunch christians, when the probable effects of an energy-greedy lifestyle arincreasingly spelled out? would these people blithely drive through a retraffic light, or play around with a loaded firearm? i doubt it. but they seehappy to exacerbate risks to our third world neighbours, and to their owunborn descendants.
perhaps, until these sorts of questions arsolved, we shall continue a losing battle with people's consciences. meanwhileconsidered and careful pronouncements, such as those uttered by the bishop olondon, though likely to be unpopular with many, are a welcome reiteration othe ways we must adopt if the planet is to remain sympathetic to our need
christopher j. lowe
25 north end, hutton rudby
yarm ts15 0dg