The monks of Glenstal Abbey were pleased to host a conference titled ‘Resetting the Clock on Climate Change’ on Saturday 18th May 2024 which brought together speakers, guests and representatives from church, academic, military and non-governmental spheres.
The conference’s keynote speaker was Admiral Mark Mellett, former Chief of the Irish Defence Forces. Mark spoke about the importance of the oceans, the story of evolution, our place in and with creation and the challenges of climate change. He concluded by suggesting ways we might meet these challenges through new technologies and outlined the characteristics required for leadership to drive the change needed.
Edward Burke, Professor of the History of War at University College Dublin and an Old Boy of Glenstal Abbey School gave a broad sociopolitical analysis of the climate crisis by outlining its stark challenges, including the security challenges posed by competition for resources and responses to ever increasing natural disasters.
Tobias Winright, Professor of Moral Theology at Saint Patrick’s College Maynooth, gave a reflection on non-violence and just war theories in the church and how these might assist in shaping responses to the climate crisis.
Br Cólman Ó Clabaigh OSB chaired a Q&A session to conclude the day’s proceedings. All three speakers spoke of how climate change disproportionately affects the poor and a question by an attendee asked if the proposed remedies mostly affected the poor – there was general agreement that this was the case and that public policy needs to reflect the needs of the poor when crafting responses.
The conference aimed to facilitate discussion on the issue of climate change and create a space where solutions might be explored together. Monasteries have long been concerned with the natural environment, and most recently the monastic and school communities at Glenstal have worked on a range of projects to reduce our carbon footprint and take steps to care for our common home in response to Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. Indeed, earlier this year the monks welcomed the planting of 2,500 native Irish trees on a small plot of the Abbey grounds, part of a much wider project to plant 100 million trees across the country.
The monks of Glenstal Abbey give thanks to God for the gift of creation – a gift so wonderfully on display in the place which we are privileged to call our home – and pray that the challenges of climate change might be met in a timely and effective manner. Our hosting of the conference underlines our commitment to responding to the climate crisis and gives the monastic community new energy as we play our part in the response through the co-operation of one another, of our visitors, guests, students and co-workers.
Saint John Paul II once spoke of how in contemplating “with wonder the universe in all its grandeur and beauty, we must praise the whole Trinity.” May our contemplation of God’s marvellous handiwork lead us to praise Him, and prompt us to care for his gift to us!