CAPTION: Just a small rise in sea levels could leave some islands in the Diocese of Melanesia under water
The Church of England in Devon Recommits to Fighting Climate Injustice for Cop26
The Diocese of Exeter has recommitted to playing an “active part in addressing climate injustice” as world leaders meet in Glasgow for the Cop26 climate change conference.
In a new statement to coincide with Cop26, the Bishop of Exeter also encouraged churches and individuals in Devon to pray for the conference to be fruitful and to lead to “actions which speak louder than words”.
Climate change and rising sea levels are already adversely affecting the Diocese of Exeter link dioceses of Melanesia in the Pacific and Thika in Kenya.
“As Christians this is an issue we can address with hope and love” Lydia Perris, Social Justice and Creation Care Officer
The Diocese of Exeter supports a sustainable farming project in Thika, Kenya
The Social Justice and Creation Care Officer, Lydia Perris, will be curating the Diocese of Exeter Instagram account throughout Cop26, which runs until 12 November.
She will be sharing tips about how to make a difference and doing live interviews with Christian climate campaigners in Glasgow.
She said “The impacts of climate change are already being felt, both here and around the world.
“With current predictions and emissions, it is only going to get worse and that’s a justice issue because climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable communities and they’ve contributed least to its causes.
“As Christians this is an issue we can address with hope and love.”
Here is the Diocese of Exeter statement in full:
The Diocese of Exeter is praying for COP26 to be a fruitful gathering of world leaders who have the power to make positive decisions which will have global consequences. We pray for their actions to speak louder than their words.
Standing alongside our Anglican link Dioceses of Thika in Kenya, Melanesia in the Pacific, and Cyprus and the Gulf, we are all too aware of the devastating impact that climate change is already having on people around the world. We pray for the negotiations at COP to be fair and just, and for the voices to be heard of those who have contributed least to climate change but are impacted the most.
Living in Devon we give thanks for the beauty and provision of God’s creation and pray for all in our county who safeguard its integrity. With them we seek to sustain and renew the life of the earth and pray that our rural and farming communities may flourish.
As Christians, we believe that we must render an account of our stewardship of creation to God. And not simply to God, but to our children and grandchildren, who are increasingly clamouring to know what will be their global inheritance. We therefore re-commit ourselves to playing an active part in addressing climate injustice.
You can find out more about the Church of England and climate change here.
