Symbolically, the eleventh hour stands for how close we are to reaching an average global temperature so high that our planet will no longer sustain life as we know it. This is not just about trees or wild animals, although they are part of it; it is about us. The planet is approaching a point where it will be inhospitable to sustain life. The symbolism has also been used for how close we are to another world war.
For many months, the church bell at First Parish in Concord has been ringing for 11 minutes on the eleventh day of the month at 11 a.m. If you drive or walk past the church at that time, you will see people holding up signs and waving at passers-by. The signs are about the urgent need to act on climate change before it is too late.
This message is not just being put out there by fanatical tree-huggers. It is what we are told by respected climate scientists around the world. It is a very real and very big threat; but governments, and many people, are ignoring or denying it, or taking half-measures that get us nowhere.
It is not just First Parish that is ringing the alarm bells. It is many churches of many denominations, across America and beyond. If you would like to know more about this, come by First Parish at 11 a.m. on the eleventh day of any month. You will be given information about why this is an emergency and what each of us can do about it. We would love to have you join us. If you are a member of another local church, try to get your bells a-ringing too.
Robert S. Andrews
Staffordshire Lane
First Parish Environmental Team
