Creation Challenge

For a full copy of this response to the Energy Bill see:

http://www.jointpublicissues.org.uk/policy-briefing-a-renewables-based-uk-energy-system-by-2030/

Edited highlights are below.

A joint call by the Methodist Church, Baptist Union, United Reformed Church and Quakers in Britain. We are four of the largest Free Church denominations in Britain. Between us we represent half a million Christians. Our faiths lead us to work for a fair and healthy UK economy that operates within the limits of our earth and climate. Creating a decarbonised power sector by 2030 is central to achieving this. We call on the Government for an Energy Bill that shows ambition in tackling climate change and delivering a sustainable energy economy.

The Energy Bill to be introduced to Parliament in 2012 has the potential to change the way electricity is produced and used, and how power stations are regulated. Providing strong support to the renewables sector could radically reduce the climate impact of the power sector, create investment in jobs and help build a sustainable and healthy economy. However, the Energy Bill in its draft form would fail to bring about the transition to a renewables-based energy system …

We call on the Government to commit to:

1. A target and strategy for renewables to provide at least 60 per cent of electricity in the UK by 2030.
   This target is technically achievable …
2. A 2030 target for decarbonisation of the power sector written into the Energy Bill.
   The draft bill has no aspiration for decarbonisation. Reduced emissions from the power sector are a critical part of achieving national carbon emissions targets. …
3. A rapid phase-out of gas and coal.
   A continued reliance on gas and coal will entail high levels of emissions and an increased use of unsustainable extraction methods such as …
4. Reducing demand.
   A viable power generation system based on renewable energy would require improved efficiency and reduced demand. We call on the Government to …

For more information contact

Chris Walker, Sustainability & Peace Programme Coordinator, Quakers in Britain, 173 Euston Rd., London NW1 2BJ. Tel: 020 7663 1009. Email: chrisw@quaker.org.uk

Steve Hucklesby, Policy Adviser, Joint Public Issues Team, 25 Marylebone Rd., London NW1 5JR. Tel: 020 7467 5245. Email: hucklesbys@methodistchurch.org.uk

For more details and a booking form visit
www.greenchristian.org.uk/stream or call 0845 459 8460
‘The Stream of Life: Tributaries and trails of thanksgiving,
vulnerability and radical choice.’ A Christian Ecology Link day of
celebration and exploration with PHILIP RODERICK, Director of the
Quiet Garden Movement, Leader of Contemplative Fire, and Adviser in
Spirituality, Sheffield Diocese.

WHO FOR: All are welcome. Come and refresh your bearings for the way
ahead.

WHEN: Saturday 16 March, 2013. 11am to 5pm.

WHAT: During the morning Philip Roderick will lead us in exploring
with body, mind and spirit the profound relationship between God,
nature and the human. He will draw from the Scriptures and from the
deep insights of Eastern orthodox theologians and practitioners.

In the afternoon we offer a choice of interactive workshops on nourishing
our Christian environmental witness with:
PHILIP RODERICK in prayer, contemplation and intercession;
DAVID HUGHES (Eco-congregation) in church life and buildings
REV ADRIAN ALKER (Chair of Ripon and Leeds Diocesan Environment
Committee) in worship, liturgy and preaching.
Three more workshops will focus on experience and action on current debates:
BILL CROSS (Askham Bryan Agricultural College) on agriculture
REV LINDSAY PEARSON (Christian Aid Yorkshire Region) and REV ANDREW PEARSON
(Priest in charge, Oulton with Methley) on world development and environment
RUTH JARMAN (CEL climate change campaigner) on climate change
One of the afternoon sessions will run as an “OPEN SPACE” with a choice of
several small discussion groups.
SIGN UP on the day for any two of these.

WHERE: Oxford Place Methodist Centre, Leeds LS1 3AX.

HOW MUCH: £15 (£10 for CEL members).
HOW TO BOOK: For more details and a booking form visit
www.greenchristian.org.uk/stream or call 0845 459 8460
Or book online at www.streamoflife.eventbrite.co.uk

From: Solihull Methodist Church, West Midlands

Solihull Methodist’s Greener Church Group has published a 24-page recipe book to use ‘left-over’ food which might otherwise go to waste. Church members were asked to pass on recipes they had used. Some go back to the Second World War. Sue Balmer, who compiled the booklet called ‘Waste Not – Want Not’, said: “According to government studies it seems we throw away around a third of all the food we buy in this country. This means we not only waste food but waste the land it is grown on which could be used for forests, energy crops, wild life reserves and so on. Anything we can do to reduce food waste must help our stewardship of God’s earth.” The booklets are being sold to raise funds for the current church project – providing shade, power and better toilets for a school in the Gambia. Solihull Methodist Church is offering the booklet for free as a pdf file. Alternatively, it can be sent out as packs of 10 for £10 including postage.

Email:  Sue Balmer suebalmer162@btinternet.com

See here for the Anglican Resource Pack for Rio+20

It contains some good material.

http://www.anglicanalliance.org/news/item/?n=15208

I’m going to put their prayers for Rio from this resource pack  into a seperate post so that you can see them directly.

The place to find the declaration on Tearfund’s site is via:

http://www.tearfund.org/en/get_involved/campaign/climatechange/rio20/mp_declaration/

It actually comes for Stop Climate Chaos, so their link is:

http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/rio-action-2

You have to seek your MP’s contact information before you see the declaration.

After a long gap – Hello! There have been quite a few posts added to the Creation Challenge blog site during the month of May 2012. So here is the first monthly digest to be sent out to you in quite a while.

The blogs are only as good as the information I receive. Do send me news and other items to help keep June content coming along.

We are reviewing what the Creation Challenge site is really good for. A short survey will be sent out soon, asking for your feedback. Looking forward to your ideas.

Thanks. Mike Shrubsole, site administrator.

There is a short YouTube video at Stop Climate Chaos, giving reasons to be cheerful and encouraging a hopeful attitude towards Rio 2012 talks.

Worth a look:

SEE THE VIDEO HERE

Environmental Justice Foundation issues a call to sign a United Nations petition:

Climate change amplifies existing social, environmental, economic and political stresses and creates new ones. Its ‘multiplier effect’‘ will push some of the world’s ‘poorest and most vulnerable people deeper into poverty.
A large proportion of the planet’s population already lives in conditions where they are denied many basic human rights. There is no doubt that, without action, deteriorating environmental conditions associated with climate change will see this increase as food and water security decline, homes are damaged or destroyed by extreme weather events and more lives are threatened.

Over the past four years, the United Nations Human Rights Council has passed three resolutions recognising that climate change poses an immediate and far-reaching threat to people and communities around the world and has adverse implications for the full enjoyment of human rights. These include the rights to life, food, health, water, housing and self-determination.

By 2080, climate change could result in an additional 35 million to 170 million undernourished people in developing countries
In Africa alone, by 2020, 75 to 250 million people will be exposed to increased water stress due to climate change
46 countries – home to 2.7 billion people – are considered to be at high risk of violent conflict due to the combined effects of climate change and ongoing socioeconomic and political problems
International negotiations on climate change have so far failed to adequately address the humanitarian and human rights impacts of climate change.

It is now time for the Human Rights Council to take positive action to safeguard these rights under threat and support the governments of the first and worst affected countries.

“Climate change is related not only to environmental factors but also to poverty, discrimination and inequalities – this is why climate change is a human rights issue.” – Kyung-wha Kang, UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights

A step forward

The United Nations Human Rights Council must adopt a new mandate for a Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights.
The mandate should take stock of impacts of climate change, mitigation, adaptation on human rights and provide inputs to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process.

It could include identification and awareness raising awareness of best practices and make recommendations to governments and the international community about how we can best safeguard human rights in our changing world.

Take action

Sign the petition calling for a Special Rapporteur on climate change and human rights:

LINK TO WEB PAGE AND PETITION LINK HERE