Climate Catastrophe

 

Photograph taken by Rosa Arroyo
near Villanueva, New Mexico:
two of her dogs romping in the snow.

We awakened to still more snow and it continued snowing for several hours after we were preparing breakfast. I am so aware this "unseasonal weather" here and across much of the United States is another reminder that the climate catastrophe is upon us. Our inadequate, and in some areas nonexistent, preparation for such events is bringing to "front and center" that altering these ways of going about our lives will determine our future. 

I receive regular posts from Susan Wittig Albert who lives in the Hill Country of Texas. In her recent one she wrote of their preparations on their property and about what she is learning. Included in this post were "comments" and in one of these the below appeared: 

Prayer for Texas

God, they are boiling water

and it is simply to drink,

except in places

where they is no power for boiling.

They are lighting candles

when the lights have gone out,

and there are fires.

They face frozen pipelines

and frost-bitten fingers,

icy highways,

desperate nursing homes,

hospitals, and dialysis centers,

waiting lines for propane,

blankets, shelter and food,

new guidelines

for using melted snow.

Mostly, there is this new fear

among the hurricane-wise,

drought-savvy, tornado-ready,

even, thanks to Harvey,

flood-trained,

who are so blizzard-innocent.

As winds, snow, deep cold

endanger lives

across all the country,

and we grieve losses,

encourage those who restore power,

enable vaccine lines,

support those who offer shelter

with as much

pandemic-protection as possible,

we pray especially for those

across southern states,

who learn quickly,

but find themselves saying,

like folks in an old church hall –

“we’ve never done it this way.”

Amen.

                              MAREN TIRABASSI, a New England pastor

Also early this morning during sitting I read an "Earth Prayer" that seems fitting for these catastrophic events many of us are experiencing now or have experienced during this year passed.

Let there be peace, welfare and righteousness

in every part of the world.

Let confidence and friendship prevail

for the good of the east and west

for the good of the needy south

for the good of all humanity.

Let the people inspire their leaders

helping them to seek peace by peaceful means

helping them and urging them

to build a better world

a world with a home for everybody

a world with food and work for everybody

a world with spiritual freedom 

for everybody.

Let those who have the power of money

be motivated by selfless compassion.

Let money become a tool

for the good of humankind.

Let those who have power

deal respectfully with resources of the planet.

Let them respect and maintain

the purity of the air, water, land and subsoil.

Let them co-operate to restore

the ecological soundness of Mother Earth.

Photograph taken by Rob Bartlett,
Santa Rosa, California:
California Pipevine in bloom,
February 18, 2021.

Let trees grow up by the billons

around the world.

Let green life invade the deserts.

Let industry serve humanity

and produce waste that serves nature.

Let technology respect 

the holiness of Mother Earth.

Let those who control the mass media

contribute to create mutual understanding

contribute to create optimism and confidence.

Let ordinary people

meet by the millions across the borders.

Let them create a universal network

of love and friendship.

Let billons of human beings

co-operate to create a good future

for their children and grandchildren.

Let us survive

in peace and harmony with Mother Earth.

                                         HAGEN HASSELBALCH

As we all experience the climate catastrophe, whether during wildfires or hurricanes or prolonged frigid weather, may we consider altering how we live our daily lives and