Creation Challenge

Didcot Methodist Church has received an Eco-congregation award in recognition of the work it has done to become more environmentally friendly. It is the first church in Didcot, and the first Methodist church in the Wantage & Abingdon Methodist Circuit, to receive the award.

The independently-assessed Eco-congregation Award is designed to affirm good practice in environmental stewardship and help churches witness to the importance of caring for God’s creation. To receive the award, churches need to demonstrate environmental activity in three areas: spiritual, practical and community. (more…)

The Government Committee on Climate Change www.theccc.org.uk published on 19th July a 32 page document entitled ‘Building a low carbon economy – the UK’s innovation challenge.’ Read more

Dr. Martin J. Hodson, John Ray Initiative Operations Manager, has spoken on “Are GM crops necessary to secure global food supplies at affordable prices?” Read more

Due to popular demand, the Small is… Festival is back and will be held on the 4th and 5th of September 2010.

We hope to recreate the wonderful participatory feel of last year, including the fun but productive atmosphere, the open debates, the lively networking and exchange sessions, and the international feel – but with local food and hospitality very evident.

However, the festival will be bigger and better this year, with increased opportunties to get involved, get debating, get sharing, and have a great time! With hands-on workshops, stalls and information sharing spaces, kids activities and great world music, there is something for everyone!

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The Campaign to Protect Rural England welcomed the announcement that the coalition Government has heeded its call to take another look at the draft Energy National Policy Statements (NPSs). CPRE gave evidence to the Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee which focused on the need to redraft the Energy NPSs to ensure sustainable development in the countryside. Read more

Britain’s churches and other religious buildings could raise £34 million a year for their coffers by installing solar panels, according to new figures from the British Gas Green Streets programme, which are unveiled today. Read more

Climate Change and the Integrity of Science.
In May a letter was published in Science signed by over two hundred climate scientists about the integrity of climate change science. Science 7 May 2010: Vol. 328. no. 5979, pp. 689-90. Published online at:
http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/328/5979/689

Read the latest news from the John Ray Initiative.

 Call on the Chief Executive of the Stoxx Europe Christian Index, Hartmut Graf to exclude BP and Shell from the index of ethical companies. Sign Operation Noah’s petition.

On Saturday the 22nd of May supporters of Operation Noah gathered for discussion, worship, election of our Board music and reflection and passed two emergency resolutions:

“This Operation Noah AGM calls on the Chief Executive of the Stoxx Europe Christian Index, Hartmut Graf, to ensure that his group reconsiders the inclusion of Oil Exploration Companies in the Index.”.

“Operation Noah calls on all Christian people as far as is possible to cut back on their consumption of oil and to boycott companies that fail to take the necessary precautionary measures to prevent direct harm to the environment during the oil extraction process” Read more