The bishop writes in his latest blog entry that people are being faced by major changes in their lifestyles and values. He says that humankind only has about twenty years to make these changes.
The Church, says Bishop Heikka, has an important role in the transition, as it creates values and practices broad educational work. For these reasons, he is proposing that the synod urgently draw up a climate policy programme.
The bishop praised the Orthodox Church of Finland for the recommendation it has issued to its employees and volunteers to avoid air travel and to always use trains when possible. The basis for the recommendation is the high level of emissions from aircraft and their impact in the atmosphere.
Bishop Heikka writes that he himself has long avoided air travel, and that he is convinced that there are many official trips made within the country, and especially abroad which are not completely necessary.