Living in a climate of immorality

TWO announcements last week evoked very different responses from religious leaders.

The Catholic hierarchy was alarmed at the suggestion that the legal age of consent for sex is be reduced to 16. The bishops felt young people need to be protected from the trivialisation of sexuality which is so prevalent in contemporary society.

Others, while being concerned about the moral wellbeing of young people, questioned whether criminalising those who engaged in sexual behaviour was the best way to promote a healthy understanding of sexuality.

While I think the bishops are right, the positive thing about this debate is that the moral dimension of sexuality is being discussed.

Contrast this with the announcement during the budget debate that Brian Cowen has set aside €270 million to buy carbon credits. At Kyoto in 1997, Ireland was allowed to increase its carbon emissions by 13%. Policies pursued by the Government since then in the area of transport and building standards have resulted in a 23% increase in our greenhouse gas emissions today.

Mr Cowen’s action means that rather than reducing our carbon footprint, we plan to buy our way out of our obligations.

In contrast to the discussion on the morality of sexuality, I have not heard a single religious leader raise any question about the morality of Mr Cowen’s decision, even though scientists tell us that climate change could have horrendous consequences for the lives of tens of millions of people, especially the poor and future generations.

The simple fact is that climate change is the most serious moral issue facing humankind in the 21st century.

For the past 20 years scientists involved with the International Panel on Climate Change have been warning us that the increase in greenhouse gas levels is changing the global climate significantly.

The review by Sir Nicholas Stern, former chief economist with the World Bank, stated that if we take serious action now, it will only cost about 1% of global GDP. If we wait 10 or 15 years, it could cost between 5% and 20%.

That statistic translates into the death and destruction of habitat for tens, if not hundreds, of millions of people.

This year is the worst typhoon season in the Philippines in living memory.

If we reduce the issue to manageable proportions, the moral implications of climate change become more evident.

If I persisted in pouring a substance into another person’s house which made it impossible to live there, I am sure reasonable people would come to three conclusions very quickly.

Firstly, that what I was doing was morally wrong. My excuse that it was necessary for my economic growth would be brushed aside.

Secondly, that I should desist immediately and, thirdly, that I should pay compensation for the wrong I had done.

The current situation regarding climate change is so serious that every politician seeking a vote in the forthcoming general election should be asked to articulate the policies of her/his party on the issue and, on moral grounds, people should vote for the individuals and parties with the most effective policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Fr Seán McDonagh

St Columban’s

Dalgan Park

Navan

Co Meath