Dash of Thought - September/October 2022

One Day - Opposing Worlds

Every year in the month of September, Churches encourage reflection on God’s Creation. The Assembly of the World Council of Churches, which met in Karlsruhe during this time, also took up the theme. It was even made aware of the urgency of the issue through a climate strike by delegates and others present.

I regularly read the newspaper. On September 16, there have been reports of "bold members of Parliament" who are launching a "solar cultivation battle". A foreseeable power shortage in winter suddenly gave Swiss parliamentarians legs. And the debate on a counter-proposal to the glacier initiative made it possible to cast the issue into law.

A few pages further on, it was reported that the founder of Patagonia will be transferring his entire company holdings to a foundation. He wanted to bring durable, sustainable products to the market with his outdoor clothing brand. Now, the non-profit foundation shall ensure that the profits - in addition to the continued existence of the company - are used exclusively to promote climate protection.

Then I read how Russian oil is gold for Greek shipowners. Russia is selling more oil than ever and the Aegean serves as a logistical hub for transferring the valuable cargo to Greek tankers. The sea voyage increasingly turns towards the Asian region. Greece has successfully resisted extending the sanctions package against Russia to a general transport ban for European companies.

We should be more economical with energy, especially fossil fuels. We should have been for a long time already. Now, that it's all about the personal wallet, people are becoming more frugal quite quickly. But that is not sustainable. When costs fall after the crisis, they become more careless and use more energy again. Only those who build on strong convictions will act sustainably and have the will to put it into practice in their lives. Like the Patagonia founder.

Bishop Patrick Streiff