Email 4394: Prominent IPCC junk scientist John Houghton invokes Jesus, God, and a Hollywood movie in an apparent attempt to convince us that we need transfers of wealth to prevent CO2-induced bad weather

Email 4394

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 dont 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.