Jesus uses the unexpected flooding in the time of Noah as an object lesson in staying alert and prepared for the coming of the Lord. A group of the countries most at risk from the ravages of climate change, including island countries likely to flood, said they would strive to make their energy production 100 percent renewable “as rapidly as possible,” as part of efforts to limit global warming to below 1.5 degrees Celsius. The Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), which numbers 48 nations, also committed to update their climate action plans submitted as part of the UN climate pact agreed upon in Paris last year and prepare low-carbon development strategies for mid-century, both before 2020. But they emphasized they would need additional funding for more ambitious steps to reduce emissions and protect their people from extreme weather and rising seas.

"We aim to survive and thrive," wrote the member countries of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) in a two-page decision adopted Friday at the climate talks. They also reaffirmed their commitment to keeping warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial temperatures, the most ambitious climate target of the Paris Agreement.

This climate action pledge was welcomed by climate officials and experts as one of the more aggressive to come out of the 22nd session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 22). The UNFCCC is the umbrella treaty that led to the Paris Agreement last year.

Another was a pledge by more than 300 companies and investors that they would work to realize the promises of the Paris Agreement and urged American leaders to adopt policies and funding to support them.

Promises like these, though, were not much of a salve on the big worry festering at the Marrakech talks—the concern that the United States would abandon the treaty when President Donald Trump takes office. He promised to do so during his campaign.

Former U.S. vice president and environmental activist Al Gore says the move represents a bold vision that "sets the pace for the world's efforts to implement the Paris Agreement and move even more quickly to solve the climate crisis." "Their move is globally significant as the carbon pollution from these countries is roughly equal to that of Russia," says Greenpeace International Executive Director Jennifer Morgan.

There was also a hint of impatience among CVF members with the progress being made by richer countries. "We don't know what countries are still waiting for to move toward net carbon neutrality and 100 percent renewable energy," says Edgar Gutierrez, Costa Rica's minister for the environment. "All parties should start the transition, otherwise we will all suffer."

Lessons drawn from the readings

This Sunday’s first reading from the Book of Isaiah offers an inspiring vision of nations working together peacefully, having beaten “their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.” “Let us walk in the light of the Lord!” exclaims the author. Global challenges must be met by global solutions, nations working together in peace for the greater good of the entire planet.

Final thought in light of the news

Climate change is perhaps the signature global issue. Let us walk in the light together by supporting efforts to stem the very real damage being done to our environment by the undeniable reality of global warming.