Published: 16 November 2021
Last updated: 4 March 2024
RABBI RALPH GENENDE: It is obvious that we have a crisis. Even if you are sceptical of climate science, is it worth taking such a terrible chance?
IT WAS ONE of the most powerful speeches at last week’s UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. And it came from one of the oldest speakers, Queen Elizabeth.
In a succinct video message, the Queen urged leaders to rise above “the politics of the moment”, answer the call of future generations and replace words with actions to address the climate crisis.
One of the younger activists on the streets of Glasgow was Swedish teenager Greta Thunberg, who lambasted the leaders for their “Blah, blah blah”.
In 2019, Thunberg sailed into New York on a carbon-free yacht to address the UN Climate Action Summit.
She was characteristically direct: “You all come to us young people for hope? How dare you! … The eyes of all future generations are upon you. And if you choose to fail us, I say: We will never forgive you …”
Her message was and is simple, blunt and emotional.
Thunberg prompted many of my former congregants to react defensively. She seems to particularly irk my cohort of middle-aged Jewish males.
Thunberg prompted many of my former congregants to react angrily and defensively. She seems to particularly irk my cohort of white, middle-aged Jewish males.
Admittedly, many of the extinction warriors are as worrying as any extremists and faith fanatics but it would be short-sighted of us to dismiss Thunberg, because her voice carries the worries and anxieties of a generation, for the future of our troubled planet.
More importantly, we need to pay attention to the environment. We have a moral and spiritual responsibility to the future. There is a need for a shift in our consciousness. It is obvious we have a crisis – the weather is changing; the ice is melting, bushfires are increasing in frequency and intensity, sea levels are rising and the oceans are clogged with plastic.
