28th October 2026

In a new report, "Disaster Divide" published yesterday by Oxfam, it was revealed that the richest 0.1% have reportedly contributed by 125 times more than the average person to extreme heat events, through their investments and lifestyles such as the use of private jets. Their yearly emissions will cause an estimated 1.9 million excess deaths from heat. According to the report, the richest 1% are responsible for 20% of global warming since 1990 – 20 times more than their share of the world’s population.  Whilst those on high incomes can protect themselves from paying more for food or moving to safer places, most people cannot and bear the cost of being hit by successive climate shocks. They are more exposed, more vulnerable, and have less savings to rebuild their lives. The world’s wealthiest people also increasingly benefit financially on the catastrophic consequences of the climate crisis and other disasters as the market for disaster preparedness, recovery and reconstruction grows.  It is a global market that is projected to expand from $70bn to $92bn a year by 2029. Jean McLean, Oxfam’s chief influencing officer, accused billionaires of turning chaos into profit. “The super-rich benefit at both ends of the crisis: first, through continued investment in polluting industries, and second, through investment in the booming ‘adaptation economy’ – recovery and rebuilding services are sold back to a warming world,” she said. “The populations who contributed least to the climate crisis are absorbing its worst consequences, while those who caused it are best equipped to protect themselves.”

Loving God, you created this amazing world and everything in it. We confess that our actions, our lifestyles, our global political and economic systems are damaging the world’s climate, putting people in to destitution and precarity, and feathering the nests of the super rich. We appreciate the inter-connectedness of our world. Embolden us to treasure everything you have created, to cherish all life, and to ensure there is a just sharing of the earth's bounty. Give us strength and courage to vote, and speak out, to encourage the world’s leaders into action to protect all our futures and to work to change systems that benefit the few at the cost to the many.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

You can read Oxfam's report here.

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry Thushara Rodrigo said they had received a distress calls on Saturday from Iranian ships "regarding an urgent medical need".  A rescue operation was planned in conjunction with the Iranian Embassy in Colombo.  As a consequence 40 Iranian sailors suffering from unspecified medical emergencies in international waters off the island's south-eastern coast from 19 commercial ships were brought ashore at the Galle Harbour on the southern coast and given medical treatment before being returned to Iran early on Sunday morning. The sailors were on US-sanctioned vessels.  However, Rodrigo said Sri Lanka was obliged under international law and on humanitarian grounds to provide the necessary facilities for medical emergencies, and that several agencies, including local shipping companies, were involved. 

Psalm 66 :1-4, 8-12, 20 (NIV)

Shout for joy to God, all the earth!

Sing the glory of his name; make his praise glorious.

Say to God, ‘How awesome are your deeds!

So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.

All the earth bows down to you;

they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.’

Praise our God, all peoples,

let the sound of his praise be heard;

he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping.

For you, God, tested us; you refined us like silver.

You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs.

You let people ride over our heads;

we went through fire and water,

but you brought us to a place of abundance.

Praise be to God,

 who has not rejected my prayer

 or withheld his love from me!