10 July 2007
Empowering and equipping the Church in the face of climate change
Receiving the report 'Caring for creation in the face of climate
change', the Methodist Conference is encouraging local churches,
circuits and districts to monitor and reduce their carbon emissions
and made a commitment to identify resources to support this
work.
The report expresses concern that current government policies are
unlikely to achieve the target of a 60% cut in UK carbon emissions
by 2050. It draws attention to the devastating impact of climate
change on the world's poorest communities and calls for decisive
action, not only by governments, but also by churches and those in
the business and voluntary sectors.
Anthea Cox, Coordinating Secretary for Public Life and Social
Justice, says; "There are so many ways we can all make a positive
difference to the way our environment is changing. As Christians,
we have a responsibility to care for creation and to live in ways
that respect our planet. It is essential that we take
responsibility for the impact that our lifestyles have upon the
environment and communities around the world. Through the
Connexional Team and local churches we hope to empower and equip
people to make the small changes that can add up to a big
difference".
'Caring for creation in the face of climate change' also expressed
support for Christian Aid and the Methodist Relief and Development
Fund (MRDF) in their work for justice for those most affected by
climate change and noted the need to monitor the ecological impact
of every aspect of the Church's life and work.
MRDF are using a giant red 'carbon footprint' at Conference to show
the impact of the world's richest countries in causing climate
change. It represents the average UK citizen's carbon footprint and
is accompanied by other smaller footprints representing those of
Nigeria, Cameroon, India, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Myanmar that
demonstrate the disproportionate responsibility for climate change
between rich and poor countries. Representatives from the Methodist
churches of the different countries were pictured holding their
footprints.
Resources to help individuals and churches to take action on
climate change are available from Creation Challenge, the
environmental network of the Methodist and United Reformed
Churches, at www.creationchallenge.org.uk. A video resource for use
in churches, house groups and district meetings is now available on
the Creation Challenge website.
A hi-resolution version of the footprint photograph is available
here.