There are just 76 days left, it says on the website tcktcktck.org. Then the world leaders should have made a deal on climate change. A binding agreement that would limit the emission of carbondioxide and several other issues. 76 days.

I am really not a climate change expert. But it is an issue that defines our time and here are my reasons why:

• If climate change is human-made (and most evidence points to exactly that), we have the potential to destroy the planet as we know it - or to do better. It is the choice of humanity.
• It is also very much a justice issue. The countries and people who are responsible for climate change (mainly those in the North) are going to feel the effects the last. However, those in the south who have not contributed at all to major climate gas consumption - they suffer the most; today already with an increasing number of droughts.
• Climate change is the direct effect of a devastating development model: To want more and more all the time.
• At the core, climate change is a spiritual issue. How are we dealing with what the creator gave to us?

Most people agree on these points and 76 days major politicians will have a word on it. But what is my role in all of that. I’ll offer a few ideas:

• Check your climate foot print. Especially for people in the North it is very illuminating to learn how much everybody contributes to climate change. You can do that here.
• Raise your voice. At the very least join a major global campaign like tcktcktck.org. It is a platform bringing together many organizations like the World Council of Churches in order to unite people in demanding real change.
• Bring people together. Last year, we had a seminar in Tanzania on climate change. The result was a toolkit that youth groups, sunday school teams and other church groups can use to discuss climate change. (Unfortunately, we have run out of print copies. But you can use the pdf here.)

How do you and your youth group respond to climate change? Tell your story in the comments section to inspire others. 76 days…