For Trinity Western University students Sarah Demian and Rea Klar, climate action is connected to Christian stewardship and creation care — the call to protect and nurture the world that is entrusted to humanity’s care.
In Nov 2022, the two students traveled to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, where they joined thousands from around the world who had arrived to take part in the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP27. Those who had gathered had come for a shared purpose — to seek a better future for our planet.
For Sarah and Rea, the experience of being at COP 27 enriched their faith, education, and desire to help create positive change. Having traveled to COP27 with the Christian Climate Observers Program, the students held official observer status, which allowed them to attend multiple conference events and mingle with other conference participants. Each day began with a group devotional and announcements, before team members launched into a full day of events and meetings of their own choosing. After the day’s activities, team members gathered back together for debriefing conversations.
Through listening to world leaders speak on global concerns, Sarah and Rea learned about the political and global dynamics that affect climate change.
Networking with global leaders
The students described their week-long conference experience as “holistic” and “well-rounded.” Beyond listening, learning and being present at multiple conference presentations, they also shared meals with Egyptian locals and enjoyed conversations with delegates from around the world. Highlights from their interactions included meeting the Princess of Morocco Lalla Hasnaa, who is an ambassador for climate action in Africa and the Middle East. The students also spoke with environmentalist and author Bill McKibben and climate scientist Dr. Katherine Hayhoe; both leaders demonstrated how to face climate challenges with an attitude of hope, informed by Christian faith.
It made them see how climate action is not only about “saving plants,” but also about saving lives and preventing traumatic experiences.
In fact, the networking opportunities and conversations were equally memorable as the conference activities, which included speeches from U.S. President Joe Biden, U.S. Special Climate Envoy John Kerry, and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. Through listening to world leaders speak on global concerns, Sarah and Rea learned about the political and global dynamics that affect climate change.
Considering the human cost of climate change
One of the dynamics that the students observed, which struck them as particularly troubling, was the global imbalance in the impact of climate change. They explained that although developed countries produce greater amounts of carbon emissions, less developed countries suffered more, particularly when faced with having comparatively less resources to mitigate against climate challenges, like drought and flooding.
Stewardship and creation care
The students were moved when they listened to personal stories of those whose lives are affected by climate change. “It’s heartbreaking to see how others are suffering around the world,” they expressed. Reflecting on this, they were reminded of the Christian calling to love and care for one’s neighbours. It made them see how climate action is not only about “saving plants,” but also about saving lives and preventing traumatic experiences.
“Taking care of one another and taking care of the planet go hand in hand.”
Moreover, when informed by Christian faith, Sarah and Rea find great motivation to be voices for climate action. “It all relates to stewardship,” they express, “Taking care of one another and taking care of the planet go hand in hand.” They point to Psalm 24:1-2, which says, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”
“This is His property and His home,” Sarah and Rea point out. “We are the caretakers.”
A web of climate consequences
Following COP27, the students have become increasingly aware of how the impact of climate change is borne across various populations, sectors, and industries, generating a web of consequences for human health and development, and global politics and economy. “The issues are bigger than people realize,” they said.
Following COP27, the students have become increasingly aware of how the impact of climate change is borne across various populations, sectors, and industries, generating a web of consequences for human health and development, and global politics and economy.
A global response
Indeed, a global problem calls for a global response. As Rea remarks, “The problems we face can’t be challenged if only a few countries participate. We need to come together to address global needs.” She goes on to reference the wider fallout of climate change, such as natural disasters that lead to food shortages and mass migration. The growth of the world’s population, now 8 billion according to the United Nations, also exacerbates the demand on our planet’s resources. For these reasons and more, Sarah and Rea believe that it is vital to amplify the urgency of climate concerns.
They add, “Every issue intersects with climate: equity, poverty, geopolitics, and more. It made me realize the importance of the task at hand. This is impacting our future.”
“Every issue intersects with climate: equity, poverty, geopolitics, and more. It made me realize the importance of the task at hand.”
Speaking of the future, the students also hope to see more youth and young adults involved in climate conversations. During a Canadian conference at COP27 with Steven Guilbeaut, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the students looked around and noticed that they were among the youngest people in the room. In the future, they hope to see more youth representatives at these conversations. After all, climate issues impact the upcoming generation. “What kind of generation will our children grow up with?” they wondered.
'The future is us.'
“We recognize that climate change is not only about protecting animals and plants but protecting the future. The future is youth. The future is us. We are the next generation.”
Coming away from COP27, Sarah and Rea are ready to participate in the progress they seek.
Currently, Sarah is conducting environmental research with TWU biology professor Dr. David Clements, seeking to understand the impact of climate change in increasing knotweed growth along B.C.’s Chilliwack River.
Rea, who grew up hearing family stories about air pollution in India, had been searching for a specific area to focus on within medicine, her future aspiration. At COP27, she met people who propelled her dream to help others gain better access to clean air and enjoy better respiratory health. As a result, she has been inspired to turn her attention to pulmonology, or respiratory medicine.
'Every career is a climate career.'
What’s more, while at COP27, representatives from Yale inspired the students to envision a future course for TWU students — an introduction to climate change — so that all students, regardless of their major, can have the opportunity to become more informed about the needs of the planet.
Furthermore, because every career and field of study is within the realm of what climate change can influence, the students believe that “every career is a climate career.” As such, they point out, “It benefits everyone to know what’s going on.”
Speaking of careers, both Sarah and Rea have chosen to major in biology at TWU and have intentions to pursue a path in medicine or health care. Outside of academics, they are involved in a campus environmental group, Trinity Western Environmental Club (TWEC), which hosts regular events and seminars to share knowledge and passion for environmentalism and creation care.
Upcoming event:
Listen to TWU students Rea Klar and Sarah Demian present their discoveries on climate change as observers at COP 27.
January 13, 2023 | 7:00 p.m. | DeVries Auditorium, TWU Langley campus
For more details, please see the event page.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier global Christian liberal arts university. We are dedicated to equipping students to discover meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. Drawing upon the riches of the Christian tradition, seeking to unite faith and reason through teaching and scholarship, Trinity Western University is a degree-granting research institution offering liberal arts and sciences as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four locations in Canada: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.
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