Chichester - Environmentally Disastrous?

I was somewhat shocked this week to see how badly our city of Chichester fared in a new national report. The report, based on research carried out by the Stockholm Environment Institute, ranked the cities of England, Scotland and Wales by the average ecological footprint of their residents. In the survey of 60 UK cities Chichester was listed as the third worst offender only surpassed by Winchester and St Albans.

The report showed that Chichester is soaking resources at a staggering rate of 3.49 more per resident than the world can sustain.

However even the relative 'winners' in the green league table, Newport and Plymouth, would create the need for 2.78 planets to keep them going if everyone consumed resources at their current rate.

There are many reasons that we should look as broader society, families and individuals to minimise the impact of our footprints on the world. All of which challenge those of us who are believers. However the two that sit together particularly uncomfortably in my lap through are focused on the Creator God and the responsibility that he has given humanity and me within that for his creation.

God is by very nature a creator and he created this beautiful world that reside in. So if Gods in his ultimate creation crafted the universe, the world and everything in it who do I think I am to trash like a vandal this amazing canvas that we live on?

Secondly Christians also hold the unique belief that God is our father too. A perfect and caring father who created us his children. Father God gave humanity complete freedom. He entrusted humanity with the care of his creation from the creatures to the land and seas. So from the place of care that God shows us we must take our responsibility for the world.

It is the sum total of all those small decisions we make that count. Through these we can change Chichester’s poor standing environmentally. Why not choose to walk to work today, cycle, share a lift or use public transport? Why not go and buy your seasonal vegetables this week from the local farmers? Why not take your own bags to pack your shopping in? Why not turn off the tap whilst brushing your teeth tonight? Why turn your TV off from standby when you go to bed tonight? Replace the broken light bulbs with energy efficient ones? Why not draw your curtains at dusk to keep the heat in?

Reflections This article is one of many that will be added on the site over the coming weeks and months, reflecting on the things that are happening in the world we live in.  They are designed to provoke thought and prompt discussion.  Please add your comments below.