As climate change is affecting the poorest in our communities (both locally and globally) and those without a voice (future generations and animals and plant species), many Christians feel compelled to speak out for climate justice.
Climate Justice and COP26 International Climate Change Talks
“For COP, we need concrete action now mainly from the finance institutions supported by regulation I think, to let low carbon investment blossom and fossil fuel investments drop to nothing. Things like border tax adjustments, announcements on coal, electric car charging. money flows to adaptation in hard hit countries and decisions on offsetting... the list goes on, but it needs to happen now and not wait.”
Professor Piers Forster, Director of the Priestly International Centre, University of Leeds and a lead author of the IPCC reports
Click on the picture to watch an interview with Prof Piers Forster
What is COP 26?
And why is this Conference of Parties (COP) so significant for all of us who depend on God's creation for our survival?
Good COP, bad COP - What is COP26 and why is it so important? Article (which could be published in your parish magazine)
What are faith groups asking for at COP26?
The Make COP Count Coalition have released a series of briefing documents for faith groups outlining key demands for the international decision makers at COP26 in November. These papers can be used to upskill your congregation, to equip you with letter writing or conversations with your MP and more.
Summary Paper Ending financial support for fossil fuels “Loss and Damage” finance
Quick Action Stations! There’s A COP coming! Article (which could be published in your parish magazine)
Don't COP out! COP and your Church - Timeline to COP26
What will you and your church get involved in to raise awareness, campaign and pray for action for a just tranistion to a low carbon global economy? There are a plethera of local and national events to choose from:
|
Date |
Event |
Location |
Suggested Action |
Event Details or Resources |
|
Anytime |
Make COP Count |
National |
Write/speak to your MP |
The Make COP Count Coalition. |
|
1 Sept – 4 Oct |
Creationtide |
International |
Celebrate in your personal and church worship |
The Season of Creation or Creationtide is a relatively new addition to the church year, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. A wide range of off the shelf worship material are available on the Church of England website here and Diocesan website here. |
|
5 Sept |
National Climate Sunday |
National |
Watch the national service |
Hold your own Climate Sunday Service anytime. Details and resources |
|
12 Sept 9am |
Climate Sunday Online Service
|
Online |
Watch the national service |
This Church of England online service will be a Climate Sunday service Led by Giles Goddard, with footage from the YCCN relay, letting people know what they can do in the run up to COP, and featuring some of the DEOs doing readings and prayers. Find the service here. |
|
18-26 Sept |
Great Big Green Week |
National |
Hold an event |
|
|
14-26 Sept |
YCCN Relay |
Marsden to Leeds to York to Ripon |
Walk with the young people for one of the days. Join in with one of the events. |
Yong Christian Climate Network walk from the G7 in Cornwall to COP26 in Glasgow Details |
|
14 Sept |
Welcome for YCCN Relay as it comes into the diocese |
St Bartholomew’s Church Marsden |
Come along |
Short service in church about 7.30pm following a welcome meal at 6pm |
|
15 Sept 4.40 and 5.30pm |
Welcome gathering and service for YCCN relay |
St Peter’s Gardens and Church |
Come along |
Welcome gathering in St Peter’s Gardens , 4-4.30pm with Bishop of Huddersfield and other special guests. . Evening service in St Peter’s 5.30pm |
|
16 Sept |
Welcome gathering and service for YCCN relay |
Drighlington Methodist Church |
Come along |
Welcome including new MP Kim Leadbeater (sister of late Jo Cox) |
|
17 Sept 4.30pm |
Prayer in the Square (YCCN Relay) |
Leeds City Square |
Come along |
Join in welcoming the YCCN young people and praying for COP26. Details |
|
26 Sept 10.30am |
Harvest service |
Ripon Cathedral |
Come along |
The YCCN walkers will be welcomed at this service |
|
6 Oct 4pm |
Welcome to Camino to COP: A People’s Walk for the Planet |
Bentham |
Come along |
Ingleborough and Bentham Churches will be welcoming the 5oo or so pilgrims on the Camino to COP at Great Stone of Fourstones, above Bentham 4 pm and then at the Methodist Church, Station Road for food, sharing of stories |
|
8 Oct 4.30pm |
Rise to the Moment |
Gateway Church Leeds |
Make prayer boats at your church. Come along |
A launch event for a flotilla of origami boats carrying our prayers and hopes for climate justice. |
|
9 Oct |
Saying Yes to Life Conference |
York |
Attend the online day conference to upskill |
|
|
14 Oct |
Interfaith Climate Change Confernce |
Halifax Minster |
Come along |
For Calderdale and Inter Faith groups in the North Details. |
|
16 Oct |
Diocesan Synod |
|
Pray for the Diocese as we start our Saving Creation: carbon net zero journey |
Discussion on the Diocesan Saving Creation Carbon Net Zero strategy |
|
17-18 Oct |
Faith 4 Climate Justice Action Banner drop |
Cathedrals |
Please share on social media |
|
|
30 Oct 6-6.30pm |
Ring out for the Climate
|
Your Church? |
Ring your bells |
Church bells have traditionally been used as warnings, and this time the danger to humanity couldn’t be greater – we are facing a Code Red for humanity. Details |
|
1-12 Nov |
Cover COP26 in Prayer |
Your home or church |
Take time out to pray |
The daily Cover COP26 in Prayer emails are designed to help you spend about 10 minutes in prayer each day at this important time. Praying for good outcomes for God’s creation and all of us who depended on it. Sign up to receive the 12 daily mailings here
|
|
1 Nov 7.30-8.30pm |
Cover COP26 in Prayer Launch Prayer Meeting |
Online |
Come alone online |
Come together with others from across the Diocese to pray on the first day of the international climate change talks. 7.30-8.30pm online. Hosted by St Mark's Church Harrogate. No need to book, just join the online meeting using the link |
|
2 Nov 5-6pm |
Green Showcase From COP |
Online |
Register and watch |
Hear from churches, schools and Christian organisations who are leading the way with innovative responses to climate change and projects to protect the natural world. Green Showcase Live |
|
6 Nov |
COP26 Global Day of Action |
In a location near you |
Join a march |
On Saturday 6 November, people across the UK and the world will join marches and events to speak out against the injustice of the climate crisis. Find out more. |
|
7 Nov |
COP Church Service |
Online |
Sign up and make this your Sunday service on 7 Nov |
On the middle Sunday during the COP26 summit, Tearfund will host our COP26 church service, along with churches throughout the UK. This international climate-themed service is simple but effective way for your church to join in with prayer and worship for climate justice at a crucial moment. Details |
|
13 Nov 7pm |
Screening of the film "2040" |
Online or in person at St Mark’s Church Harrogate |
Register to view the film |
What could the future look like? Join us to watch this inspiring film which takes us on a journey to 2040 to explore what the future could look like if we simply embraced the best solutions already available to us to improve our planet. Watch the trailer here Contact St Mark's to book for the in person screening. Book to see the film online here
|
Hope for the Future provides resources and support to help your church and community speak with your MP about climate justice.
On a visit to Fiji over a year ago for the Regional Primates’ Meeting of the Oceania Region, I saw how climate change has already begun to impact the lives of local people. One of them told me, and these are words I will never forget, "For you Europeans, climate change is a problem for the future. For us it is a problem of everyday survival".
Archbishop Justin Welby
