It can be tricky running a mainstream religion these days. Here you are, cultivating your friendly media profile, while some of your adherents make scary pronouncements about sexuality and morality.
Even worse, they do it by citing the very holy texts you are obliged to uphold. The answer to this conundrum: talk about the environment.
Which is exactly what religious leaders are doing. Under the collective name of the Australian Religious Response to Climate Change, a group of them has written to the Albanese government urging it to stop approving coal and gas projects and to stop subsidising fossil fuels.
The 100 signatories come from Australia and Pacific nations. They include the Anglican Primate of Australia Geoffrey Smith, Grand Mufti of Australia Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, Uniting Church Australia president Sharon Hollis and Cardinal Archbishop of Port Moresby Sir John Ribat.
With Victoria on flood alert, there is never a bad time to warn about the global warming crisis. But outreach in favour of God’s green earth would also be a welcome respite for some religious leaders, especially those who have been dealing with controversies involving everything from abused children to footballers who won’t bow to their corporate sponsors. (We are not implying that any of the above-named leaders have been party to any misconduct).
Meanwhile the Albanese government has ruled out Australia copying New Zealand’s methane tax. The tax, targeted at meat and dairy production, will either make Aotearoa even more ”clean and green” or abolish livestock herds and starve the Shaky Isles.
Mark Sawyer is a journalist with extensive experience in print and digital media in Sydney, Melbourne and rural Australia.