The John Ray Initiative

As a scientist, I am always trying to use the most reliable sources of information for my work. So that means papers in peer-reviewed journals, and the very best scientists. I first got into the topic of climate change through my association with Sir John Houghton. Although I trained as a plant scientist and still research in that area, about 25 years ago, I started to add the public communication of climate change to my portfolio.

One of the challenges facing people wanting to communicate climate and environmental stories is how to reach outside the usual circles, one way of doing this is through cultural organisations like museums and art galleries. On a recent trip to Oxford I visited two very different exhibitions that explored environmental issues. The Bodleian Library's Wonder of Birds exhibition is inspired by the The Book of Birds, thenew book from Jackie Morris and Robert Macfarlane.

The Elisha Project wins major Science for Seminaries grant The Theological Colleges Environment Network (TCEN) is delighted to announce that the Science for Seminaries* programme has awarded them a major grant to fund The Elisha Project.

Earth with clouds above the African Continent – NASA – Unsplash What would you like to be remembered for? What legacy will you leave after perhaps 80 years living on this planet? There is one thing that we in the UK will each leave behind, on average, after 80 years of present-day-typical living, unless we choose to change. That is a few hundred kilowatts (kW) of ongoing heating per person, that will only be there because of what we did during our lives.

JRI has been pleased to support the work of the Theological Colleges Environment Network (TCEN) since its inception, and it helped put on a major online consultation in 2020. We are now delighted to announce that TCEN’s Elisha Project, which aims to deepen environmental work in theological colleges even further, has received major funding from Science for Seminaries*.

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. James 2:17 (NIV) The Epistle of James has long attracted some controversy. Martin Luther famously called it “an epistle of straw”, as he didn’t like James’ emphasis on works. The debate between those who believe salvation is primarily achieved by faith, and those who see it as primarily through works or deeds, has continued down the ages.

Are you looking for significant signs of hope for the future, in our collective living-in sympathy with the environment? If so, please let me draw your attention to Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR), and specifically the story of it as told by Tony Rinaudo in his book, The Forest Underground. Tony Rinaudo may be regarded as the face of FMNR, whilst FMNR is a relatively new name attached to something that has been practised for many years.

“Here comes the Sun” by veteran journalist and climate activist Bill McKibben was our February JRI book club read. Whilst this review reflects primarily my own opinions, I will at times mention the thoughts of others who attended. We typically begin the club by asking people for their very brief initial thoughts, and I think it’s fair to say that with one or two caveats (more on them later) we all found it to be a good read with an encouraging message.

Like most people I knew of Patrick Grant from The Great British Sewing Bee and an episode of Desert Island Discs, but it was hearing him speak at the 2025 Greenbelt Festival which convinced me to buy this book, and I am so glad I did. Part of the joy of this book is the way that history, autobiography and personal manifesto are woven together to make an interesting and challenging read.

When we talk about climate change, we often hear that the UK has made impressive progress in cutting emissions. Coal has disappeared from electricity generation. Renewable energy has expanded rapidly. Official statistics show greenhouse gas emissions falling steadily since the 1990s. All of this is true — and yet it is not the whole story.