Tim Jackins’s initiative on climate change [see page 3 of the April 2019 Present Time and

<www.rc.org/publication/present_time/pt195_003_tj>

thoughtfully and clearly states the situation and how distresses and oppression interfere with our ability to solve the crisis.


My Protestant, owning- and middle-class patterns of “don’t be loud, don’t draw attention to yourself” have kept me quiet. I have been working on these old patterns, so they don’t get confused with my response to the climate emergency. It is a real emergency. I think Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate leader, said it best: “Our house is on fire.” When the house is on fire, it is urgent, it is an emergency. It is not time to be quiet, it is not time to silently stand around. It is time to act.


The RC direction of “decide, act, discharge” has been useful for me. It has allowed me to decide and act now although I may only be able to see the next step or two. Having taken that step or two, discharge helps me decide to act again.