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We can only guess at the magnitude of suffering and displacement caused by this storm, and we worry about others on the way,” wrote Pillay. “With its ferocious winds, torrential rains, extensive flooding, and loss of life and property, Doksuri has brought catastrophe and fear to the lives and fortunes of tens of millions of Chinese, especially in the north, including Beijing.”
The storm brought unrelenting rain and wind that tore away homes and other buildings.
“Especially concerning are the extent, duration, and intensity of this weather system, a fresh and disastrous assault by climate-related conditions,” Pillay wrote. “Indeed, this season of calamity has gripped the globe and delivered unprecedented extremes to many regions and massive misery to people everywhere.”
He noted that extreme heat has continued to hover over Europe and North America, while Africa, Asia, and Australia struggle to cope with its effects on crops, water supply, endangered species, and human health. “Alarming loss of ice cover at both poles promises rising sea levels and temperatures, endangering ocean life and threatening coastal communities,” he wrote. “These disasters stiffen our resolve to work relentlessly for the prevention and mitigation of climate change in China and elsewhere.”
The WCC has identified addressing climate change, its causes and consequences, as an urgent and ongoing priority.
“As Christians, we know that the earth is the Lord’s, the sacred dwelling place of God with humans,” Pillay concluded. “Caring for creation is a hope-filled vision yet an awesome responsibility, especially now."
