Environmental ministers from 120 nations gathered in Bali, Indonesia today in an effort to formulate a new climate change pact that will replace the Kyoto agreement which is due to expire in 2012. During his opening address of the session, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon stated that now is the time for action on climate change, and warned that without an global agreement to curb emissions, the world will face more unprecedented disasters such as drought, famine, flash floods and more extreme weather. He added that climate change was the "defining challenge of our age", and that "the time for equivocation is over. The science is clear. Climate change is happening. The impact is real. The time to act is now".

Quote: "Distinguished Delegates, What the world expects from Bali - from all of you - is an agreement to launch negotiations towards a comprehensive climate change agreement. You need to set an agenda - a roadmap to a more secure climate future, coupled with a tight time-line that produces a deal by 2009. The date is crucial not only to ensure continuity after 2012, when the first commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol expires -- but equally, to address the desperate urgency of the situation itself.

For the first time in living memory, the Arctic's Northwest passage was navigable by sea this year. Just this week scientists warned that if current trends continue, by 2012 the Arctic ocean could be entirely free of ice during the summer time and the polar ice cap could disappear completely within three decades. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair previously stated that the world had until 2012 to solve the issue of global warming before it would be too late.

Quote: ""If we don't get the right agreement internationally for the period after which the Kyoto protocol will expire -- that's in 2012 -- if we don't do that then I think we are in serious trouble," he told a parliamentary committee. Asked if the world had seven years to implement measures on climate change before the problem reached "tipping point", Blair answered: "Yes".

Climate change is real, but it is debateable as to whether the science is real or not. Al Gore's Oscar-winning Inconvenient Truth was recently branded unfit for public viewing in UK schools after a British judge found it to be politically partisan. The judge also found Al Gore had made nine distinct errors and exaggerations in his video, claims which are not supported by either the scientific community or the UN's own climate change body - the IPCC. The video is still making the rounds in US schools despite the UK ruling. Other scientists believe that the changes we are witnessing now in the earth's climate may be caused primarily by changes in the sun. Habibullo Abdussamatov, head of space research at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Astronomical Observatory in Russia, believes that the irradiance of the sun has much more influence over our climate than man-made emissions. Abdussamatov points out that the ice caps on Mars are also shrinking due to a global warming effect, and this can only be explained by an increase in the irradiance of the sun.

Quote: "Abdussamatov believes that changes in the sun's heat output can account for almost all the climate changes we see on both planets. Mars and Earth, for instance, have experienced periodic ice ages throughout their histories. "Man-made greenhouse warming has made a small contribution to the warming seen on Earth in recent years, but it cannot compete with the increase in solar irradiance," Abdussamatov said. By studying fluctuations in the warmth of the sun, Abdussamatov believes he can see a pattern that fits with the ups and downs in climate we see on Earth and Mars. Abdussamatov's work, however, has not been well received by other climate scientists.

Although Abdussamatov's observations may be dismissed by the scientific community, I would be inclined to agree with his conclusions. Climate change does occur, but according to the Bible, God has placed bounds on it that cannot be exceeded. Genesis 8:22 states, "While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease". But the Bible does state that despite man's best intentions to combat climate change, God is still in complete control of our weather systems on earth. During the tribulation period, an angel is prophesied to pour out his vial upon the sun, and power will be given to him to scorch men with great heat. The unbelievers will recognize God's sovereign power over the weather, but still they will not repent of their wickedness. 

Revelation 16:8-9
And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory

In reality, climate change is part of God's judgement on this world. World leaders have deceived their people by saying its possible to reverse the effects of climate change by simply curbing our emissions. It may sound like good science but it is bad theology. The Bible states there is a direct link between climate change and heart change.

2nd Chronicles 7:12-14
And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice. If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people; If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Haggai 1:9-11
Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit. And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

Things will get much worse in the near future. Praise God that He is merciful, and though the earth will be burned up and all the works in it, He will create a new heaven and new earth wherein dwelleth righteousness (2nd Peter 3:12-13). Will you be there? Trust in Jesus Christ for salvation today.

Source Reuters, Boston Globe, ENN, National Geographic

Leaders of the Orthodox Church in Cyprus have called for a day of prayer to be held on December 2nd, as the country faces its worst spell of drought in 100 years. Reservoirs on the island are around eight percent full, and are likely to run dry within a month unless it rains. If the drought continues, emergency measures will have to be taken. 

Quote: "Prayers for rain are rare, and the last occurred in 1998, when there was a comparably critical water shortage. "We are sure that if we all pray with deep faith the Almighty will heed our prayers; 'Ask and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full'," Church leader Archbishop Chrysostomos said in a circular on Monday, quoting from the Gospel of John.

Just a few weeks ago, US Governor of Georgia Sonny Perdue led a service to pray for rain, as the southern United States continues to experience severe drought. Around 250 people attended the event, which was held at the capitol building, and included members of other religions. Three church congregations in Snellville, Georgia gathered together to hold a similar prayer service, and called on others in the community to follow suit.

Quote: "The Revs. Richard Hunter of Snellville United Methodist Church, Rusty Newman of First Baptist Church Snellville and Mike Garrett of Westminster Presbyterian Church will co-host a community-wide prayer service from noon to 12:30 p.m. Monday. The service will be held at First Baptist Church at 2400 E. Main St. "We think it's necessary to come together to pray for God's guidance and to ask for him to bless us with rain," Hunter said. "We put the word out all over the community."

The Scriptures often mention drought as a specific judgement against the nations that turn away from God. During the Millennial Reign of Christ, it is prophesied that if any of the families of earth refuse to go up to worship the Lord in Jerusalem, that nation shall have no rain (Zechariah 14:11). Then we have the example of Elijah the prophet, who prayed earnestly that it might not rain on Israel for 3.5 years (James 5:17), as a punishment for the sins of King Ahab (1st Kings 17:1). And he prayed again, and the Lord sent rain in abundance (1st Kings 18:40-46). In Solomon's prayer to God at the dedication of the Temple, he also mentioned drought as being a special judgement from God for the sins of the people.

1st Kings 8:35-36
When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

I guess that is what is missing. Sonny Perdue prayed for rain and invited people of other religions to do the same. Some rain came, but not enough to end the drought. The Greek Orthodox Church are holding a prayer service to call on the Lord to send rain, but I don't see any mention of sin or the need to repent. In the story of Daniel, there is no mention made of any particular sins that he had committed, yet Daniel often confesses his sin and the sin of his nation to God (Daniel 9:20). As a nation, our sins are all too apparent. If these nations are seeking blessing from God, they ought to do what Solomon said, and get on their faces and repent of their wickedness. Maybe then God would hear their prayers. During the tribulation period, it will not be so. Although many today would deny God even exists, deep down inside, everybody knows there is a God. The Scriptures state in the book of Revelation that mankind in its rebelliousness will blaspheme God who has power over these plagues, and will neither repent of their deeds nor give Him glory (Revelation 16:9). Don't wait until it's too late. Repent of your sins now, and believe the Gospel. Jesus Christ stands ready to forgive all who will call upon Him for salvation.

Source Reuters, AJC

I saw this news yesterday and was emailed it by a friend, but hadn't time to comment on it. I was out with my friend Helen at a thanksgiving dinner in Apsley Street Gospel Hall in Belfast last night. Mmmmm... those sweet-potatoes were beautiful. We had a traditional American meal, followed by a thanksgiving-day quiz. Our team won the prize :).

Ireland's only salmon farm has been wiped out by a flotilla of jellyfish in a deadly attack that lasted seven hours and killed over 100,000 fish. The jellyfish, thought to be Mauve Stingers, killed salmon within a ten square mile area, causing around £1 million worth of damage. Mauve Stingers were once found only in warmer waters such as the Mediterranean, but the species has migrated further north as climate change brings warmer seas. Staff at the salmon farm are afraid they may loose their jobs if the Department of Agriculture is unable to provide emergency aid to rescue the business. 

Quote: "John Russell, the managing director of Northern Salmon Co. Ltd., said last night: "In 30 years, I've never seen anything like it. It was unprecedented, absolutely amazing. The sea was red with these jelly fish and there was nothing we could do about, it, absolutely nothing." Last week's attack lasted nearly seven hours, with the small jellyfish stinging and shocking salmon held in an area covering 10 square miles and 35 feet deep. Workers in three boats tried to reach the cages to rescue the salmon, but the extreme density of jellyfish slowed their progress through the water, and by the time they reached the cages it was too late.

As my friend Mike commented in his email, the Scriptures state that during the tribulation period, the sea (perhaps the Mediterranean?) will be turned a blood-red colour, and all life that is in it will be destroyed. There is a phenomenon today known as Red Tide, which could bring about the fulfillment of this prophecy. Red Tide is caused by the blooming of a certain type of algae. To the right is a picture of such an algae bloom off the coast of La Jolla, California. These algae blooms produce toxins that can kill sea life and cause respiratory problems and skin irritations in humans. They can also starve the water of oxygen, making whole regions of the sea completely incapable of supporting life. As you can see from the picture, John's description of the sea becoming like blood is quite apt.

Quote: "SANTA CRUZ, Calif.—An algae bloom known as red tide is turning local waters a rusty brown, causing some people to mistake the condition for an oil spill. Water authorities have received calls from people who think a sunken ship in the area is leaking or that the water has been fouled from last week's 58,000-gallon oil spill in San Francisco Bay. "But it's not part of the oil spill in San Francisco," said Steve Peters, a water quality specialist with Santa Cruz County Environmental Health Services. "It's just the colour of the water," he said. The red tide started accumulating about 12 days ago. Samples taken near the Santa Cruz and Capitola wharfs and off Seacliff State Beach detected an algae species called cochlodinium that can kill fish.

Revelation 16:3
And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead [man]: and every living soul died in the sea. And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood. And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou hast judged thus. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy. And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous [are] thy judgments.

Source Telegraph, Mercury News

A United Nations resolution has been adopted by the General Assembly declaring the " emergency phase" of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster over and calls for the " recovery phase" to begin. The Chernobyl nuclear reactor exploded in 1986, spreading a deadly cloud of radioactive dust across the Ukraine, Russia and much of Western Europe. The incident was initially covered up by the Soviet Union until increased radiation levels were detected in Sweden several weeks later. The World Health Organization concluded that the effects of the radioactive fallout from Chernobyl were much less severe than initially thought. A report published by the UN International Atomic Energy Agency in 2006 put the death toll of direct exposure to radiation at 56, and claimed that around 4000 people could die a premature death as a result of the disaster. Greenpeace published a report of their own which claimed that around 60,000 people died in Russia as a result of exposure to radiation from Chernobyl, and the death toll in the Ukraine and Belarus may have been around 140,000.

Quote: "Tuesday's UN declaration proclaimed the next 10 years as a decade of "recovery and sustainable development" of the affected areas. It said the focus should now be on helping the communities to reverse the domino effect of poverty, poor health and fear that had hampered growth in the region. The General Assembly also requested the UN secretary general to provide a report on recovery efforts in 2010. The declaration comes on the back of a report by the WHO which found "the health impact of the accident was much less severe than was initially feared", the BBC's Thomas Lane in New York says.

But with Chernobyl's concrete sarcophagus continuing to deteriorate and 95% of the plant's radioactive fuel remaining in the reactor core, one wonders how on earth the UN can declare the emergency over. A French company has been contracted to construct a steel arch to cover the reactor, but this is expected to take at least five years to complete and only then will the authorities be able to start dismantling Chernobyl. Millions of people across the continent were exposed to the deadly radiation, and tens of thousands of people still suffer from thyroid cancer, while thousands more are affected by diverse genetic deformities that may be passed on from generation to generation. The effects of the disaster are expected to last for many years to come.

Quote: "Several days after the accident, a vast radioactive cloud drifted across parts of the UK, leaving a blanket of poisonous caesium-137 over England, Wales and the south and west of Scotland. In 1986 and 1987, restrictions were imposed on approximately 10,000 farms, of which 2,144 were in Scotland alone. Restrictions in June 1986 covered 5,100 farms in North Wales, about 120 in Northern Ireland and 1,670 in Cumbria in England. It is estimated that compensation to all the sheep farms affected in Great Britain has cost British taxpayers £13m. Today, 386 British farms are still under restriction. According to the British government's Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, or Defra, these include nine farms in Cumbria with 11,500 sheep, 359 farms in Wales with 180,000 sheep and 18 farms in Scotland with 38,000 sheep. All farms in Northern Ireland were derestricted in 2000. In restricted areas, sheep have to be monitored with a Geiger counter before they can be sold to prevent contaminated meat from entering the foodchain.

It seems that if anything, Chernobyl is an accident just waiting to reoccur.

Revelation 8:10
And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; And the name of the star is called Wormwood (in Slavic, "ëchernobyl" meaning "bitter grass"): and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

Source BBC, Times Online, Greenpeace, Bellona