Not too long ago, people living in the Indian region of Orissa used to welcome the monsoon floods.
The waters would make their lands more fertile and their regularity was such that the locals could even successfully predict them by the movement of air and the flight paths of the birds.
But over the last two years, the frequency of flooding has increased.
The effect now is that crops get washed away. Less grass means the buffalo and goats produce less milk.
Security of food supplies is a real issue and one of the results being reported by villagers is that some families are being forced into debt just to get by.
Despite the changing patterns of flooding, the majority of communities were unaware of climate change.
Tearfund’s partner working in Orissa, the Discipleship Centre, has been raising awareness and reports an excellent response from communities concerned.
Emissions
Farmers are being encouraged to diversify into crops that can withstand floods as well as take on new techniques that can reduce their vulnerability.
Tearfund and partners work with, and through, the local church to help communities adapt to the effects of climate change in affected areas.
Tearfund also encourages churches in the UK to do what they can to reduce emissions. The other vital activity in which we can all play a part is campaigning.
This Sunday sees the start of a week of action launched by I Count, the campaign of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, which is being supported by Tearfund.
The UK government is the first in the world to introduce a Climate Change Bill to cut carbon emissions, yet as it stands Tearfund believes it isn’t strong enough.
Without significant emissions cuts, the destruction caused by climate change will increase, hitting the world’s poorest people hardest.
The Climate Change Bill provides for 60 per cent emission cuts on 1990 levels by 2050.
Action
But the latest science tells us we need 80 per cent emissions cuts by 2050.
From 30 March to 5 April, hundreds of groups and individuals from across the country will take action together for a stronger Climate Change Bill.
Tearfund is urging supporters to contact their MPs and ask them to support amendments to the Bill.
Ben Niblett, Tearfund’s Campaigns Manager, said, `Tearfund welcomes the introduction of the Climate Change Bill and the steps already taken by the government to make it stronger, but it’s still not strong enough for the UK to do our share of cutting global emissions.’
Please pray for the work that is helping flood-affected communities in Orissa and elsewhere in India to adapt to the effects of climate change.
Pray that our politicians show leadership on climate change and that justice, conviction and courage guide their law-making.
Pray that people will engage on the issue of climate change and take action to ensure their voice is heard.
Finally pray for the effectiveness of work by Tearfund and our partners to reduce the impact of extreme weather on communities around the world.