russian heatwave

Climate prayers - September 2010

 
Russia’s climate is famously cold. Also Russia is an energy superpower. It is the world’s biggest exporter of energy, supplying 25% of Europe’s oil and 40% of its natural gas.

So for two strong reasons Russia has resisted action against global warming. It wants to go on selling fossil fuels. And it hoped 2 degrees of warming would improve its agriculture. Prime Minister Putin even joked they would need fewer fur coats.

But this year’s unprecedented two-month heatwave (http://pryr.info/russia-heat) may prompt a rethink. In the first half of August temperatures in Moscow were an amazing 15°C above normal. Drought, wild fires and poor air quality caused thousands of deaths, a 33% collapse in wheat crops and a ban on wheat exports. The cost is estimated at $14 billion. It seems global warming will be risky wherever we live.

- Give thanks that the Russian heatwave has ended.
- Pray those who have suffered from the heat will be comforted and restored.
- Pray Russia will use its fossil fuel reserves responsibly not just for its own quick profit.
- Pray Russia’s leaders will work with the rest of the world to reduce climate change and limit its impacts, especially on the poor.

 For more information, go to: http://www.climatestewards.net