Canon Jeff Golliher, Anglican UN Office Program Consultant for the Environment and Sustainable Development, has provided the following summary report. The official in-depth report from the Anglican Observer’s delegation is in preparation.
As church bells rang throughout the world Dec. 13 to mark Christianity's commitment to combating climate change, Anglican leaders were making their voices heard about global warming in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, on Saturday 5th December gave an address at an Ecumenical Service at Westminster Central Hall, London, in the run up to Copenhagen. The audio file can be downloded here. The full transcript of the Archbishop's address can be found here
All sectors of the media are now showing a significant commitment reporting on environmental concerns. This year saw a record number of entries for the 21st SAB Environmentalist And Environmental Journalists Of The Year Awards which have become South Africa’s most prestigious accolade for journalists producing crucial environmental coverage.
Bishop Geoff Davies, SA’s “Green Bishop”, was named Environmentalist of the Year and received the Nick Steele Memorial Award for his inspiring work. The award is given in honour of the late legendary game ranger Nick Steele, and honours an environmentalist who has promoted the cause of conservation and whose work will leave a legacy for years to come.
A Statement from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network
In preparation for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference Of Parties (COP) Meetings to be held in Copenhagen, Denmark in December, the Anglican Communion Environmental Network (ACEN) has issued a statement to Anglicans Worldwide, to COP Delegates, Faith Community Representatives, Observer Organizations, and Friends of Creation.
The document entitled "Climate Change - A Challenge to the Churches in South Africa", now available in PDF format.
The document has been endorsed by the National Executive Committee of the SACC. The SACC has invited other Christian leaders and church structures to endorse it as well.
Two recent presentations to the Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand at their 2009 Synod by Dr. Richard Milne of the Climate Action Group which can be found here:-
http://sites.google.com/site/dccagresources/home/dccag-presentations
Jim Hunt, an ACEN friend gives the following overview of Environmental Ministry in the Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand in the Province of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
Protestant churches in Kenya are warning that greed is destroying the country's environment, bringing drought, famine, hunger, malnutrition and general scarcity.
"We are today reaping the fruits ... greed and imprudence sowed in the past," said the Rev. Peter Karanja, the National Council of Churches in Kenya's general secretary, on August 6. He urged citizens in the east African country to adopt tree planting as an act of religious and social restoration.
Lecture given by Bishop George Browning Oxford England August 2009.
…The dominant economic narrative of our time is one of exponential growth. Without growth, so we are told, we face recession or depression. Economic growth has reaped enormous prosperity for those of us who live in the West. We are at least twice as prosperous as our grandparents were 50 and more years ago. However it is not rocket science to understand that exponential growth, based upon an expanded exploitation of natural resources is simply not sustainable in the long term. If all the world were to enjoy the life style enjoyed by most in the west, a life style and level of development which the Chinese and Indians rightly tell us they are morally entitled to, we need much more than one planet….
The Full Article can be found here:http://acen.anglicancommunion.org/resources/docs/Christian responses to Climate Environmental issues.pdf
Climate change, global warming, economic and environmental justice, creation care, renewable energy and nuclear energy and weaponry are among the cadre of environment-related resolutions under consideration by the Episcopal Churches General Convention.
The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations (OGR), based in Washington, D.C., lobbies Congress and the president in response to legislation passed at General Convention. The legislation also sets the agenda for the church's Advocacy Center, which includes OGR, the Episcopal Public Policy Network, Native American/Indigenous Ministries and environmental and domestic affairs.
the full article can be found here:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_112561_ENG_HTM.htm
A delegation of leaders from Canadian churches, indigenous communities and other groups that toured northern Alberta May 21 to 27 expressed concern that the rapid rate of exploration and expansion of the oil sands industry there has outpaced efforts to curb their environmental, health, and social impacts.
Gathering firewood, cooking meals, cleaning the house, working in the fields, taking care of children. For women in the global south, there is always more to do. Double that if you are also looking after someone at home with a chronic illness.
The Bishop of London, Carmelite friars from Aylesford Priory, a replica ark, 200 plus Christian school children dressed as animals, and an array of real alpacas, sheep, goats and ducks celebrated our colourful climate event beside the Palace of Westminster on 2 July.
the full story can be found here:
http://www.operationnoah.org/calendars/campaigncalendar/2nd-july-london-ark-campaign-event
Each year the European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) publishes an anthology of liturgical material for Creation Time. This year’s liturgical material is entitled: ”Turn, then, and live”, based on Ezekiel 18:32. It is compiled by the National Council of Churches in Denmark Climate Change Working Group.