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Rally Against Climate Change!

Saturday November 4 2006 saw over 20 000 people descending on central London to demand urgent action on climate change ahead of the international climate change talks in Nairobi.

For many Christians attending the event, the day started with a ‘Service of Challenge, Commitment and Blessing’, organised by Operation Noah, held at Grosvenor Chapel. The church was full when the service began at 11:15, leaving standing room only for the people who arrived later.

After an environmentally themed song and prayers, the congregation heard an account from Steve Hucklesby (member of the Operation Noah Executive Committee) of his visit to Tuvalu, a set of islands in the Pacific Ocean. The effects of climate change are already seriously threatening this small country in the form of abnormally high tides, which have destroyed homes and crops. If nothing changes, the people of Tuvalu will be forced to abandon their country and way of life.

The Bishop of London, Richard Chartres, gave an address in which he mentioned Richard Dawkins’ book The God Delusion. The Bishop described the belief that people can play God as the biggest ‘God delusion’. He went on to talk of the action taken by various churches and denominations, and finished his address by reminding the congregation that fear is never the last word for Christians.

The service was rounded off with a Prayer of Commitment that people were encouraged to use in their own Sunday services the next day.

At the close of the service, everyone was handed a placard on their way out, and we walked together to Grosvenor Square, where we, along with many other members of the Stop Climate Chaos coalition, heard a range of talks from speakers including George Monbiot, Colin Challen MP, Caroline Lucas MEP, Norman Baker MP, Zac Goldsmith and Bishop Richard Chartres. Then the assembled masses left the park and the march began! It was good to see so many people carrying Operation Noah placards, representing the Christian community in the fight against climate change.

The march wound its way through Piccadilly and finished in Trafalgar Square, where there were speeches, and performances by KT Tunstall and Razorlight.  Unfortunately, the speeches weren’t particularly audible, due in part to the fact that there were more people attending the demonstration than had been expected. There were many creative costumes and banners on display, including a woman dressed as the ‘Statue of Taking Liberties’, and assorted animal costumes.

Thanks to everyone who came, particularly to those who travelled (in an environmentally-friendly way, of course!) long distances to attend.

Alice Lambert (pictured in the above photo with Steve Hucklesby)

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