The Day After Tomorrow

A scientist once told me, "No way can we Americans change our lifestyle; we just have to fix the biosphere." If only it were that simple.

In January, I attended the World Economic Forum in Davos, to debate whether human-induced climate change is actually a weapon of mass destruction.

We've known for two centuries now that increased 'greenhouse gases' result in global warming. As sea levels rise, we experience greater extremes of climate; disasters, such as floods and droughts, will become more frequent and intense, causing more death, misery and economic loss than anything else. It's predicted that by 2050 there will be 150 million environmental refugees.

The Day After Tomorrow explores such potential mass destruction. Set in the US, it begins with a debate among scientists about climate change. While they can't agree and the politicians dither, the climate changes (Hollywood style), unleashing devastating storms on the northern hemisphere, and plunging it into a deep freeze.

Despite its exaggeration - in both scale and speed - the film vividly demonstrates how we are at the mercy of the climate, and how our human actions will provoke faster change than at any time in the last 10,000 years.

The Gospel of Matthew records that religious and political leaders once came to Jesus asking for a sign. Jesus said that they were good at forecasting the weather but not at interpreting 'the signs of the times'. He challenged their power base with radical messages about what the kingdom of God is really about.

Today, we read the 'signs in the sky' even more skilfully; and yet we are still no better at interpreting the signs of the times. The challenge to act is very clear. But we don't take seriously enough our God-given responsibility to care for the Earth and our fellow humans, especially the poor and disadvantaged.

Luke tells the same story and stresses the importance of seeking the kingdom of God above all else. Two contrasting parables in the same chapter (12) - of the rich fool, whose goal was to increase his wealth, and the faithful steward, who carefully managed his master's household in his absence - should challenge us in the affluent West. Jesus concluded, 'From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, more will be asked.'

500 million people are expected to watch The Day After Tomorrow. We must pray that they pick up that message.

Sir John Houghton

Sir John is co-chair of the Scientific Assessment Working Group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was formerly chief executive of the Meteorological Office.

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