More heat statistics

More statistics about heat last year keep coming in.  In "Climate crisis: last seven years the hottest on record, 2021 data shows" (Guardian, 10 January 2021) (LINK) Damian Carrington wrote: "the European climate agency Copernicus, also found carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached record levels..." Details are telling: "The average CO2 levels in 2021 reached a new record of 414 parts per million in 2021 – before the Industrial Revolution and large scale burning of fossil fuels the level was 280ppm." Increased heat is the obvious consequence: "Europe suffered its hottest summer on record and broke its maximum temperature record in Sicily with 48.8C..."  People die at temperatures like that. Other consequences include flooding because of changing rain patterns. Northern China was unusually wet last year: "Floods in July in Henan province caused hundreds of deaths." The floods in Germany were notable and unusual too.

Many people feel there is nothing they can do, and for the poorest in Berlin that may be true, but our parish is not poor. Those with investments should consider moving them away from established fossil fuel companies -- such actions have an effect when enough people work together. New technologies offer investment opportunities that may provide better energy options. Even modest steps such as a diet less dependent on mass-produced and processed meat can help. The important thing is to do what you can to help to protect God's creation. 

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