30th September 2026

Mercator Ocean International, have published a report warning that warming, rising, sea levels and ecosystem degradation are interconnected signs of significant and long-term change.  The report highlights that 23 zettajoules (a zettajoule is an SI unit of energy equal to 10²¹ joules of energy, a joule being the amount of electricity required to run a one watt device for one second)   of heat was sunk into the world’s seas last year.  This was almost 40 times greater than all the energy humanity used that year raising ocean temperatures leaving them less hospitable to marine life and creating far-reaching changes to the deep water bodies fundamental to life on Earth.  Sea levels have risen by about 3.8mm per year since 1999, and at a faster rate of 4.2mm per year between 2012 and 2025, according to the 10th edition of the Copernicus ocean state report. It found the global ocean has become 17% more acidic in the last 40 years.  Europe, is heating twice as fast as the global average. The Mediterranean and Black Seas have been impacted by record-breaking marine heatwaves raising ocean temperatures deep below the surface. Ángel Borja, a marine ecologist at AZTI, a Basque research institute, who was not involved in the report, said, "it seems to be a problem that society tends to downplay. For example, the combined problems of rising sea levels and extreme events, which are eroding the Mediterranean coast – and yet some people insist on rebuilding in places that will undoubtedly disappear.”

Creator God, all your works are wonderful. The earth and the oceans are yours. You made them with your hands and filled them with life. The oceans tell of your glory, and we are amazed by the beauty you have placed in them. You asked us to look after the oceans, yet instead of encouraging them to teem with life as you intended, we have filled them with our waste and cause their temperatures to rise. Forgive us for our carelessness and ignorance. Fill us with your Holy Spirit to help us to live lives that honour you and emulate your care for the oceans. May your Holy Spirit act through our politicians so they can work to prevent harming the oceans and the life they contain and the lives they sustain. We give thanks for all who warn us of the impact of rising sea temperatures may we respond urgently and effectively. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

This prayer is an edited version of a prayer from A Rocha International.

The UK's Environment Secretary, Angela Eagle, will pledge today to plant half a million trees in the UK over the next three years. Mayors, local authorities, charities and grassroots groups will be provided with £79million of new funding together with responsibilities for restoring natural landscapes such as wetlands, river edges and meadows.  These environments can provide natural flood management and reduce the damage done by droughts as well as emhancing biodiversity. Trees can reduce air temperatures by 4C in cities, making heatwaves more bearable. A single mature tree can absorb 15,000 litres of water a year, contributing to flood reduction and reducing water run-off risks during storms. They can also significantly reduce noise pollution and air pollution, and provide habitats for wildlife in towns and cities. Eagle is expected to say. “In areas where nature has been allowed to flourish, the ground held more water, and the droughts were less severe."  Craig Bennett, the chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said the plans were “very encouraging”. England has lost more than 90% of its wetlands over the last century. Bennet added, “We need to make Britain wet again. We could have tens of thousands of new wetlands.” 

Praise the Lord

My soul praises you, Lord God.

Praise the Lord

My heart loves you, Lord God

Praise the Lord

My lips sing of our glory, Lord God.

Praise the Lord.

My hands rise in worship of you, Lord God.

Praise the Lord.

My soul praises you, Lord God.

Amen