We are all conscious of the seriousness of climate change. What we are doing now will have serious implications for future generations – our children and grandchildren. Children who have contributed the least to the climate crisis will pay the highest price. Higher temperatures will leave many families living in poverty with less food, less clean water, lower incomes, and worsening health. Extreme events such as droughts and flooding can destroy crops and cut off access to clean water. The UN warns that many families will have to choose between starvation and migration.

However, do we ever think about the moral and spiritual heritage we are passing on to our children and grandchildren? Secularism and so-called “progressive” thinking are determined to eradicate any trace of our Judaeo-Christian heritage. The implications for future generations are potentially devastating. Parents wanting to teach their children clear moral and spiritual principles face an uphill task. What is taught in the home and what is taught in school may be in direct conflict. The internet and social media often have a pernicious effect on children and young people. Parents need to be encouraged to protect their children from immorality and error that will do them great harm, and by the way they live to be examples to their children of wholesome daily living.

God chose Abraham so that he would “direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.” Moses commanded the Israelites, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” The Apostle Paul exhorted Christian men, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”

It is to be hoped that we will be able to take the necessary actions to protect our planet from wanton destruction so that generations to come will be able to enjoy it as we do. But if we create a moral and spiritual wilderness the implications for our children and grandchildren will be even more devastating than the threat of climate change.