Nature in Our Day

Would Columba recognise today’s Scottish landscape? He would surely mourn the almost complete destruction of the native forests; the absence of so many flowers, insects, birds and animals that he had known and loved; and the vast tracts of earth disappearing under human “development”.

Doubtless he would also be horrified to learn that corrupted versions of his own faith tradition had played a part in legitimising this, by de-sacralising nature and seeing it as there for humans to use or abuse as we wish. However, Columba would be relieved to learn of the recovery among people, of all faiths and none, of the sort the sort of reverence for creation that would have been second-nature to him. He would surely agree with the words of "Rewilding Britain" that: “ Nature is our life support system, it’s the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the energy that sustains us.” The people of Easter Island learnt this truth too late - they cut down all the island's trees and then found it could no longer support them.

We are now all too aware of the impact that human population, economies and lifestyles are having. We are living through a climate and biodiversity emergency. Climate change is already making life significantly harder for the most vulnerable people and creatures around the world; habitats are being degraded or destroyed at an alarming rate and biodiversity is plummeting. Wherever we live in the world we will be seeing the changes all around us. 

And yet we may also be aware of urgent steps being taken to mitigate or, where possible, reverse the damage. Here in Scotland we are wrestling with how to de-couple our economy from dependence on North Sea oil and gas. We are trying to undo some of the forestry mono-cultures of the past, end the extraction and use of peat (a vital carbon sink), reintroduce species like beavers and sea-eagles; and finding wisdom in rewilding – leaving nature to recover on its own. 

Many church and other faith communities, like Columba did in the past, are trying to both speak and act in prophetic ways, being the change we want to see. The Scottish Episcopal Church has declared a climate emergency and is working towards net zero by 2030. St Columba's has held a climate change webinars looking at the issue from a wide range of perspectives and disciplines. As part of the Quiet Garden Movement we have opened our church garden as a place where people can reflect, rest and pray. We are re-discovering nature's power to restore us - and itself, given the chance.

However, we still have so far to go.

What are the things that grieve you most where you live? What are some of the more positive signs happening around you? How can you support them by urgent action, giving or campaigning? How can you help nature to continue to sustain all life on Earth?

Here are some thoughts on what Nature means to us at St Columba's.

Exploring Further

You will have your own ideas - here are some of our recommendations

EXTERNAL LINKS

Quiet Garden Movement - nurtures access to outdoor space for prayer, reflection and rest in a variety of settings.

Rewilding Britain - ideas, information and case studies on how to "think big, act wild".

Royal Society - reversing biodiversity loss - films, Q&A, further reading

Trees for Life - working to restore the globally unique Caledonian Forest which once covered much of Scotland. Information and opportunities to pay for new trees.

Towards Net Zero Toolkit - guidance from the Scottish Episcopal Church on moving towards net zero.

BOOKS

The Overstory by Richard Powers (2018) A remarkable novel about the relationship between trees and people.

The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris (2017) Stunning art and evocative "spells" based on words from nature that are moving to the margins of many children's lives.

Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul by John Philip Newell (2021) Exploring how wisdom from the Celtic Christian tradition, broadly understood, can help reconnect us with nature and ourselves.

John Muir - any of his writings - 19th century Scottish-American naturalist, ecological thinker and prophet who became the founding father of America's National Parks.

WEBINARS

Change in a Time of Chaos - a St Columba's-by-the-Castle Science and Faith series about climate change (2021-22).

'Carbon Cutter or Climate Marcher - Personal and Political Action on Climate Change ' with Dr Rachel Howell. Video Link

Climate Justice & Trade Justice - can we secure them together' with Ed Johnson-Williams. Video link: 

'A Just and Warm Transition for Scotland' with Prof Stephen Peake. Video link

 'What does Jesus think about the ecological crisis?' with Prof. Mark Harris. Video link

'COP 26 - celebration or wake?' with Ian Murray MP. Video link

'What did the Neanderthals ever do for us? - Lessons in resilience and survival from deep time.' with Dr Rebecca Wragg Sykes and Dr Mhairi Davies. Video link

 'Climate - are We prepared to Change?' with Professor Jim Skea Video link