Global warming fight put on "back burner"

One key lesson is that richer nations do not want to sacrifice enough of their comfort and wealth to offset the industrial growth of poorer nations. As a result, billions in less-developed countries resent that the Western nations selfishly want to deprive others of a comfortable standard of living ("Climate reality: Voluntary efforts not enough," Associated Press, December 20, 2009). Another lesson: sovereign governments do not want to be seen as giving advantages to global competitors. India's Environment Minister, Jairam Ramesh, stated the problem succinctly to the Associated Press: "National interest trumps everything else…. We'll engage them [the U.S. and China]. I'm not here to make new offers." The Chinese have balked at the idea that international law should bind them to any commitments cutting greenhouse gases ("Industrial Nations Criticize Draft Climate Pact," WSJ.com, December 13, 2009).

A majority of UN member nations attended the Copenhagen summit. Since the participants had been unable to resolve these issues in New York, was it realistic to expect major accomplishments in the Danish capital? We should not be surprised that the world's largest carbon-emitters—the United States and China—ended the meeting by basically agreeing to talk about the problem again at next year's conference ("Climate talks end with eye on next year," Associated Press, December 20, 2009).

After this international meeting—which according to published estimates pumped an additional 40 million tons of carbon into the atmosphere (thanks largely to jet travel and the cost of heating the delegates in the cold Denmark winter)—all the participants have to show for their efforts is a three-page non-binding agreement known as the "Copenhagen Accord." Well, at least they saved a tree or two! Can anything meaningful be accomplished by bickering human leaders? If not, what will be the cost of inaction? There is a global warming crisis coming, but not in the way most scientists and policymakers anticipate. And all the "hot air" exhaled during global climate conferences will only add to the problem, since the God of heaven—who created and controls not only the weather but the destinies of nations—was not invited to Copenhagen. It is He—and He alone—who has decreed and will bring about a "global warming" event that will dwarf anything today's climatologists can foresee, and will ultimately bring the bickering rulers of our world to their knees! The Apostle John, in an end-time vision, described this scenario: "Then the fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and power was given to him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and they blasphemed the name of God who has power over these plagues; and they did not repent and give Him glory" (Revelation 16:8-9; see also Revelation 8:7; Joel 1:15-20). At this climactic point in world history, human efforts will not be able to save the world's environment. Only Jesus Christ, at His coming, will be able to intercede on our behalf to save us.

Are "natural disasters" the impersonal workings of "Mother Nature"— or are they a vital message from our Creator? People often call weather calamities "acts of God," but few understand His true role in the droughts, famines, floods and earthquakes that affect our world. What does your Bible say about climate disaster at the end of the age? What can you personally do to prepare? Thankfully, for you and your loved ones, there is a way of escape—if you are willing to follow God's plain instructions! Download or order your free copy of our booklet, Who Controls the Weather?, to learn what signs will herald the most momentous event in all history—the return of Jesus Christ to this earth! Also read Fourteen Signs Announcing Christ' Return, so you will not be caught unprepared when watching developments on today's chaotic world scene.