Thought for the Week from the Rev. David Jones

 

A few years ago in the United Kingdom we get through around eight billion shopping bags annually.

 

This has reduced in recent years as we have become more aware of the looming environmental disaster if their use was not dramatically curtailed. From the beginning of this month the Welsh Assembly’s initiative of charging for bags will, hopefully, go a long way to lower that figure.

The rest of the UK will be keeping a close eye on how things work out here in Wales; if there is the expected reduction the long term effect can only be positive not only for the environment but also for wildlife which are in constant danger from discarded bags.

It’s true that Jesus never used words like pollution and ozone depletion and bags, plastic or other did not apply during his time of earth. Yet in our day the world is under constant threat as we drain its rich resources to meet the demands of our often excessive lifestyles. During this season when most churches hold their Harvest services we are reminded of the responsibility of care we must have for our world.

This, of course, is just one aspect of concern another is the constant warring between nations which is also a massive drain on resources which could be better used for the purposes of ending world hunger, poverty and injustice.

Encouraging a reduction in the use of plastic bags may just be a small part of what is a massive environmental challenge – it is however a good start for which we as a nation can be proud.

Click here to find out more about The Rev. David Jones.

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