Bishop's global warming message

The bishop calls on people to make "fundamental lifestyle changes"

The Bishop of Shrewsbury has called on churchgoers to lead the way in the fight against global warming.

The Rt Rev Dr Alan Smith said the warming effect could be seen in the declining number of birds seen on the Long Mynd beauty spot in Shropshire.

Writing in church magazine Reflect, distributed in Staffordshire, Shropshire and the Black Country, he said saving energy was not enough.

He urged Christians to make "fundamental lifestyle changes".

'Stark choices'

The bishop said there had been an 80% reduction in birds such as the Curlew, Snipe and Teal on the Long Mynd and there were no longer any Ring Ouzels on the hillside.

"Global warming is not just about hurricanes in New Orleans. It is affecting things on our doorstep," he said.

He supported householders' efforts to reduce energy consumption but said "more fundamental changes in lifestyles" were needed to help the environment.

"If we are going to be responsible for our stewardship of God's world, then the time is approaching for making stark choices," he said.

"As Christians we have an opportunity to lead the way in our local communities."