Christian Concern for One World - Resources

Resources

admin — Fri, 17 Nov 2006 17:40:34 +0000

Located across our website are useful resources. This area of the website brings all those resources together in one place.

"Partnership for Development" (click for full article)

Maranda — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 09:07:44 +0000

^{27 March 2009}

The eighth Millennium Development Goal involves the creation of a global "Partnership for Development" The targets for the Goal involve many of the things we are campaigning on and working for year in and year out -- fairer trade and financial systems, enhanced debt relief, access to essential medicines, and good technology transfer to provide for sustainable development.

But how does the idea of partnership for development actually play out "on the ground" where people from richer and poorer countries are working together to achieve these goals -- in agencies, Fair Trade Organisations, and church links? What can we do to create genuine partnerships for development? And for Christians, what theology shapes the way we look at these partnerships?

These were the questions that were examined in this year's Ecumenical World Development Consultation, the biennial conference put on by a broad coalition of churches and agencies. It was a conference full of helpful presentations:

Cathy Ross, Director of the Crowther Centre for Mission Education at CMS, offered a theological reflection on partnership
the Rt Hon John Battle, MP, a member of the International Development Select Committee and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Overseas Development, spoke about partnership between churches and government in the service of development;
Geoff Bockett, Traidcraft's International Director, talked about Traidcraft's efforts to establish genuine partnerships with producers in a market context;
Benedict Southworth, Director of WDM, talked about WDM's alliances with southern campaigning agencies and the way these shape how it works;
Philippe Ouedraogo, director of AEAD (Evangelical Association Supporting Development) in Burkina Faso, spoke about positive partnerships within his country and between northern and southern churches;
Jenny Humphreys, World Mission Officer for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, described the longstanding partnership between that diocese and the Anglican dioceses in Zambia;
David Golding from Make Poverty History Northeast reminded us of our Christian obligations to each other, and
Peter Collins, Traidcraft's Church-Relations Manager delivered a powerful sermon on the role of trust in partnership.

And here's the good news! Many of those presentations are available online, so that you can share them even if you weren't actually there. We've actually got Peter Collins' piece available for download at the bottom of this page. A wider range of resources is available on the website of the World Development Advisers' network for the Church of England. Enjoy!

Attachment	Size
Peter Collins sermon on Trust.doc	34 KB

Some Resources for Harvest 2008

Maranda — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 09:28:45 +0100

This page currently duplicates materials on the Worship Resources for the Church Year page, and was created because an outdated Google link was causing confusion.

Some Resources for Harvest 2008

CAFOD

will hold its Harvest Fast Day on 3 October 2008. The day focuses on training HIV activists, who volunteer their own time to stand alongside families struggling to cope with the impact of HIV and AIDS. Resources available for download at the Harvest Fast Day section of the CAFOD website, or in hard copy from your local CAFOD office.

Christian Aid

offers harvest appeal resources with the theme "We will harvest the desert." The material focuses on the story of Ally Ouedraogo and his community: they are using simple farming and water harvesting techniques to reclaim desert land on the edge of the Sahel in Burkina Faso. Materials include a poster with Ally's story on it, a worship sheet, powerpoint and reflective video. All are available for download from the Harvest Appeal section of the Christian Aid website; posters can be ordered in hard copy from the Christian Aid office, oxford@christian-aid.org, 01865 246818.

Harvest Help -- Self Help Africa (one charity, in the process of changing names)

This year's resource is called "Hands of Hope," and includes children's activities, an African recipe, youth group suggestions, prayer ideas, posters, sermon notes, and more. To receive a copy, call 01743 277170. A downloadable powerpoint with studies of specific Self Help Africa projects will be available from their website shortly.

Methodist Relief and Development Fund (MRDF)

offers a pack called "Reclaim Harvest!" which "features MRDF's work in Ethiopia, where deforestation and soil erosion have made farming almost impossible, but MRDF support has provided training, seeds and tools that enable communities to manage natural resources sustainably." The free pack includes worship materials, all-age activities and ideas for Harvest celebration events. It can be ordered online or by calling 020 7467 5132, or the materials can be downloaded from the Harvest pack website. An accompanying CD-ROM may be ordered for £5, or its material downloaded from the website.

Tearfund

has a harvest pack called "Step up to the plate," which shares the agency's vision for helping families in the poorest areas access good food. The pack includes: "free recipes from Rick Stein, Delia Smith and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, a short film by multi-award-winning company Pretzel, a 32pp booklet which includes a special report on Tearfund's partners' intervention since 2005's Sahel crisis, activities for children and youth groups, as well as fundraising and harvest service ideas, a poster for advertising, giving envelopes and more." Individual elements can be downloaded, or the whole pack ordered, at the Step up to the Plate webpage.

USPG

has a harvest pack which focuses on "how the San Pablo church, in Villa Felicidad, Uruguay, is reaching out to an impoverished community - by offering a recipe for life that includes a nutritious mixture of faith, pastoral care and practical support." Background information, all-age resources, a powerpoint about San Pablo, children's activities, sermon notes, suggestions of hymns and prayers and material for use during communion can all be downloaded from the USPG harvest website.

And if you're thinking of holding a harvest supper, what about making it a fiesta? USPG is asking its supporters to help raise funds for Latin American projects by holding a Latin American party. Materials available on the fiesta website include recipes, suggestions and instructions on entertainment (make a pinata, anyone?), Latin American prayers and short stories for worship, posters, etc. There's also information on how to order a DVD and traveling photo exhibition of pictures from the Uruguayan Church.

What's New in Climate and Sustainability

Maranda — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:00:13 +0100

Dear Friends,

A smorgasbord of news and notes -- have a look at the things that interest you . . . and please do send us anything you'd like to see included. (Many thanks to Rita Belletty and Mike Turton for their feedback on Walk to Church Sunday.)

We are also now trying to include one longer piece as often as possible. These pieces will look in greater depth at a particular topic. We are very grateful indeed to Simon Bond for sending, and giving CCOW permission to circulate, his notes on a recent Quaker study tour on European Sustainable Energy Security. These offer a very useful exploration of aspects of, and the links among, EU energy policy, human rights / development and EU energy demand -- well worth reading!

1. Follow up on "Walk to Church Sunday"; Opportunities for 10 October; National Energy Saving Week (grants for Reading groups)
2. Other Upcoming Events
3. Prayer Points
4. New Resources
5. Study Tour on European Sustainable Energy Security -- Note by Simon Bond (attached)

1. Follow up on Walk to Church Sunday
from Rita Belletty, the organiser: congratulations to Rita and the congregation at St John Bosco and to Mike Turton and the congregation at St James)

The photograph is of the wall behind the altar of St John Bosco, Woodley, the feet reminding parishioners that 18 July is designated Walk to Church Sunday. This is the second year St John Bosco has celebrated this event to demonstrate that small steps taken by a number of individuals will make a difference. The event which is organised by the church’s Climate Change Action Group was supported by 101 adults and children who walked or cycled to Mass and signed their names on lists. The lists have been sent to the Prime Minister to show our support of strong governmental action on climate change. This year St James Anglican church in Woodley joined in, collecting signatures of 58 walkers. It is still possible for churches to stage a Walk to Church Sunday and lobby the Prime Minister. A suggested letter was included in the last Eco-Congregation E-Group newsletter; it and a draft poster can also be obtained from CAFOD Portsmouth portsmouth@cafod.org.uk or from Rita Belletty rita.belletty@talktalk.net.

Opportunities for 10 October

The 10th of October offers a great opportunity to combine prayer, promises and action, the global and the local. To start off with, you can be part of a global day of promises and prayer organised by Micah Challenge, the international Christian movement to combat extreme poverty and hold governments accountable for their promises in the Millennium Development Goals. They're asking everyone to promise to do one thing that will help those in poverty. The promises can be environmental: living sustainably and combating climate injustice are key parts of fighting poverty!

You can register your promise in advance at the What's your promise website or use the downloadable form/postcards that will be available on the website to gather lots of people's promises on the 10th itself in your church. Then you can join millions of Christians in prayer that God will use these promises for good. If you register your promise online or send in those you gather in church, they will also be given to MPs -- so it really is a great chance to show the concern around climate and poverty issues. For more information, go to the "What's your promise?" website.

On the same day, 350.org and the 10:10 campaign are asking people everywhere to engage in environmental activities in their community: they're hoping that "in every corner of the world . . . communities will put up solar panels, insulate homes, erect windmills, plant trees, paint bikepaths, launch or harvest local gardens." If doing such activities on a Sunday is problematic for your observation of the Sabbath, why not share a communal meal, organise a walk to church or some similar activity.

National Energy Saving Week

The 25th to the 31st of October is National Energy Saving Week. The annual event aims, according to the Energy Savings Trust, "to help raise awareness of energy efficiency within the home, helping households around the UK lower their carbon footprint and save money on their energy bills." Could your church do something to tie in with the week?

If you are in the Reading Borough area and have special plans, you might be able to get funding for them. Reading Borough Council offers "Green Grants" for community projects. The general guidelines for Green Grants are available here or email summreen.sheikh@reading.gov.uk. The grant deadline for National Energy Saving Week projects is imminent -- 9 August -- so you'll need to move quickly.

2. Other Upcoming Events

now through 1 September -- NUNEHAM COURTENAY -- Family activities at the Arboretum
Special family-friendly activities (Geo-Caching and Explorer Packs) at the Harcourt Arboretum. Free with admission (£3.50/free for children), though there is a deposit required for hiring some equipment. For further details, see the Science 2010 website.

27 to 30 August -- CHELTENHAM -- Greenbelt
Christian arts festival with a strong focus on justice. The "green" Christian groups will have a forum where they will be sharing information and conversation throughout the festival. Information and tickets online from http://www.greenbelt.org.uk.

September -- BERKS, BUCKS and OXON -- "Inspired by Creation"
Diocese of Oxford's competition asking for photographs, poems and prayers that capture the ways in which people are "inspired by Creation". Where do you encounter God in Creation? For further information or to enter, click on the Earthing Faith website here.

1 September to 4 October -- EUROPE -- Creation Time 2010
The time set apart by the European churches to consider the wonders of God's creation and our responsibilities towards it. See the "Resources" section for worship materials for the season.

4 to 5 September -- WALLINGFORD -- Green Fair
Sustainable Wallingford will be running a Green Fair in "Centre 70" at this year's Bunkfest. Includes stalls with insulation, solar energy, rain harvesting, green architects and sustainably produced good as well as talks on insulation, solar power and efficient use of energy in the home. Come along and find out more.

4 to 5 September -- WARWICKSHIRE -- Small is . . . .Festival
Sponsored by Practical Action and Engineers without Borders UK, a festival to celebrate small, practical actions in environment and development -- based on the ideas of EF Schumacher. For more information, see the Practical Action website page here.

16-19 September -- SOUTHWELL MINSTER (Notts) -- Green as a Leaf: Renewing a Theology of Creation
Featuring a great range of keynote speakers: Simon Conway Morris, Michael Northcott, John Rodwell, John Milbank, Simon Oliver, Alison Milbank, Margaret Barker, this conference brings together theologians, philosophers, scientists and cultural critics to explore the specifically theological resources that can be brought to bear on our relation to the natural world. Download a registration form at www.southwell.anglican.org/DeptforDevGreenasaleaf.html

18 September -- BIRMINGHAM -- Growing Organically- Using church land as a model for environmental change
A conference covering the importance of church land management. It will also give practical examples of projects and open up opportunities to see what conservation potential church land may hold. Main speakers: Professor Sir Ghillean Prance and Bishop James Jones; informative and interactive workshops. 10:00 am to 4:40 pm, Carrs Lane Church Center, Birmingham, B4 7SX. Cost: £10/£5.Please book in advance. Please bring a packed lunch, drinks and light refreshments will be available. For directions please visit: www.arocha.org/gb-en - Further info: kajsa.brittsjo@arocha.org

22 September -- YOUR CHURCH? -- Ringing bells for biodiversity
On 22 September Heads of State will assemble at the United Nations to discuss the biodiversity crisis. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is encouraging the ringing of bells all over the world as an urgent 'memo' to rouse the world to action on saving species. The UK organisers of the International Year of Biodiversity hope that church bells throughout the UK can join in. Might your church take part? Contact CCOW if you are interested.

22 September -- EUROPE (including your church and home?) -- European Car Free Day
Each year many of the towns in our area celebrate this day. Is there something that your church could do in support?

3 October -- YOUR CHURCH AND HOME? -- Operation Noah "Oil Fast"
Operation Noah is responding to the recent crises around oil extraction by pointing out that capping one well isn't enough to resolve the environmental issues: we need to cap the demand that leads oil companies to increasingly risky extraction activities. They've designated 3 October as a day for Christians to try to live without oil (insofar as is possible) -- a first step on what they're calling a "Carbon Exodus," a "determined and sacrificial journey out of our dependence on fossil fuels." Find out more on the Operation Noah website.

4 to 8 October -- UK -- National Lift Share Week
Does what it says on the tin . . . can you work out ways to encourage people to share cars? Resources available here. Reading will be focusing on its car share scheme during this week. Find out more here.

9 October -- MAIDENHEAD -- Energy Saving Exhibition
Save the date!

9 October -- ABINGDON -- Eco-Fair
Abingdon's first eco-fair will have "fun activities and practical ideas to help us all live well without damaging the planet." The fair will focus on five areas: energy, food, waste, travel and biodiversity. An event for the whole family, it will also have a cafe serving local food. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Abingdon Guildhall, Abbey Close OX14 3JE. Further information http://carboncutters.blogspot.com.

10 October -- CHARLBURY -- Showing of "Dirty Oil"
CAWAG [Charlbury Area Waste Action Group] and ChOC [Charlbury's Own Cinema] present "Dirty Oil" a film about the impacts of oil extraction from the Alberta Tar Sands. 7:30 pm, Memorial Hall, Charlbury. Tickets cost £4.50. Charlbury's contribution to the 10:10 day of action.

14 October through 25 November -- OXFORD -- Seminar series on certification and sustainability
Weekly seminars on certification processes for timber, diamonds, Fair Trade and more. Sponsored by the James Martin 21st Century School. For full details, go to the Oxford website here.

15 to 17 October -- RINGSFIELD HALL nr. Beccles (Suffolk) -- Christian Ecology Link Retreat
Theme: "Gardening in Gethsemane: Being with nature on the way to resurrection." More information here.

20 October -- LONDON -- Christian Aid supporter day
Join supporters from around the country to pray, share and act on ending poverty and fighting climate injustice. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Westminster Central Hall and the Houses of Parliament. Register online at http://www.christianaid.org.uk.

11/12 November -- CHARNEY BASSETT (nr Abingdon/Wantage) -- Retreat
Join Ruth Valerio ("L is for lifestyle") and other Christians concerned for our world as we seek God's guidance: given the environmental crises of the present, how do we think about Christian lifestyle? What can we do to support each other in prayer and action? This retreat is being jointly organised by a wide variety of Christian groups including CEL, Operation Noah, Quaker Peace and Social Witness, CCOW, and others. For more information, email maranda@ccow.org.uk.

3. Prayer Points

A new feature -- prayer points based on current environmental news. Please let us know if you find this helpful (or not). We don't aim to be comprehensive -- there's lots more to prayer for. We would, however, welcome any suggestions or items.

        Bonn Climate Negotiations
        From today until Friday, delegates are meeting in Bonn, Germany, to continue the post-Copenhagen process. One set of discussions will look at the broader
        "vision" and is expected to focus on "mitigation by developed countries, mitigation by developing countries, institutional arrangements for financing, and
        market-based approaches to mitigating climate change." The other set of discussions will focus on the more technical aspects of developed countries' obligations,
        looking at "scale of emission reductions from Annex I parties to the Protocol; legal issues, including addressing a possible gap between the Protocol’s first
        commitment period (2008-2012) and subsequent commitment periods; and “other” issues such as land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF)." Please pray
        that developed and developing countries will be willing to place common interest above self interest and to move towards a set of fair, ambitious and binding
        goals. Follow reporting on this at IISD(technical, and the source of quotes here) or in the news.

Pakistan
Flooding in Northwest Pakistan is estimated to have affected one million people, with many villages washed away. (Further information here)
Tearfund has offered the following prayer points:
    * Please pray for those affected by the flooding, particularly the Lord’s comfort for those who have lost loved ones, friends and neighbours.
    * Pray for the rain and flood waters to relent and for rescue and humanitarian efforts to get to those in need quickly.
    * Pray for wisdom in the decision-making of the Pakistani authorities and for staff from our partner SSEWA-Pak as they respond to this disaster. (for more from Tearfund on the flooding, click here)

Caribbean
As this goes out, the National Hurricane Center has just issued its first advisory on a new tropical depression to the East of the Caribbean. Thanks be to God, the forecast only calls for the depression to reach "Tropical Storm" status -- and for it to pass well away from most inhabited islands. Nonetheless the hurricane season is always a source of tension for people in the most affected regions, and while the year's storms thus far have been fairly mild, the forecast is for an "active" season. Please pray for all for whom the hurricane season is a time of anxiety. Pray for any preparations to meet this and subsequent storms. Pray that the storms will not do serious damage and particularly that they will avoid the most vulnerable areas, especially Haiti.

Russia
"Grief has come to our nation, human lives have been lost, hundreds have lost shelter and thousands have been left without sustenance, including many children. . . I call upon everyone to unite in a prayer for rain to descend on our earth," the Russian orthdodox Patriarch of Mosco and All Russia is reported to have said as he visited a monastery in one of the area's worst affected by the current drought, heatwave and forest fires. 774 fires were said to have been reported as of yesterday (Sunday) morning, and it is predicted that this year's Russian grain harvest will be 20% lower. Please pray for rain and more moderate weather. Pray for the farmers who are losing their crops. Pray for those who have lost homes or are being evacuated. Pray for those who are suffering because of the health impacts of the smoke in many areas. Pray that this evidence of the damage that can be inflicted by temperature increases will spur all countries to action against global warming. (Sources include Reuters, Financial Times)

Louisiana
A recent article written by a Louisiana native makes clear the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on people living in the area. Please pray that the clean-up operation may proceed as well as is possible. Pray that the ecosystems in the area may recover. Pray for the people whose lives and livelihoods have been so deeply affected. Pray for all companies that are engaged in deep-water drilling and other forms of oil and gas extraction, that they may put safety ahead of profit margins.

Food Security
The ongoing food crisis in the Sahel region highlights the need for all people to have food security. Please pray for the people of the Sahel; pray that they may receive the necessary aid. Pray particularly for children, who are vulnerable to permanent damage as a result of hunger. More broadly, the markets' response to the environmental crises in different areas of the world is pushing food prices up again to the levels last seen in the price spike of 2008. This can mean that in many communities (as is the case in Niger) even when there is enough food, the poor cannot afford it. Please pray that food may be affordable. Pray particularly for an end to speculation in food, which worsens the situation.

4. New Resources

Worship and Theology

"Creation Flourishing: A Time for Celebration and Care" -- the resources for "Creation Time 2010" are now available on the CTBI website here. Sermon notes and three sermons; three sets of prayers for intercession; children's activities; a group study; and biodiversity FAQs. Lots of really, really good material. Please do have a look.

A write-up of the National Justice and Peace Network's conference on "Food Security, People and Planet"

Practical Action

Our small actions may be more effective than we realise: a new report suggests that far more of Britain's savings could be found from "the small stuff" than was previous thought. Material to show to those people who say, "What difference can I make . . . . "

On which note, The Greening Campaign, which helps people to take -- and share -- simple actions to build up comunity action, launched its community adaptation toolkit on the 20th of July in London. The presentations from the launch are available here. There are a number of "Greening" communities in our area including Cold Ash, Hungerford, Thatcham and Wallingford. Is your church in a "greening community"? Email us to share some of your experiences!

And to get a wider view of communities' potential, take a look at the summary booklet for "The Future Is Local: Empowering communities to improve their neighbourhoods" (lots of interesting stuff here) from the now-axed Sustainable Development Commission.

Science and Policy: Climate Change and Food Security

Climate Change

The Guardian reports that US Government data (from NOAA and other sources) suggests that this was the warmest June and is likely to be the warmest (or second warmest) year on record. For the full data from the "State of the Climate" June 2010, produced by NOAA, click here. The full "State of the Climate 2009" report is available here, and looks at almost a dozen key climate indicators. The summary booklet "How we know the world has warmed," which is well worth reading, is here.

Climate Action Tracker "is an independent science-based assessment, which tracks the emission commitments and actions of countries. The website provides an up-to-date assessment of individual national pledges to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions." Worth following and gives much information to use as the basis for informed prayer.

What Tom Friedman would have liked to have seen from a US climate/energy bill; what he and Clive Crook have to say about what happened.

Food security

Martin Hodson responds to the question "Are GM crops necessary to secure global food supplies at affordable prices?"

What's going to happen with the decline in wheat production in Russia? It looks as though the price of wheat, for example, may spike again at 2008 levels. Read an article about the current wheat price rises here, an article about a storage problem compounding the difficulty in India here, and news about the possible impact that price hikes in grain and silage might have in the UK here. Read the FAO's analysis of food insecurity (2009) here.

Campaigning
Dear Friends,

1. Follow up on "Walk to Church Sunday"; Opportunities for 10 October; National Energy Saving Week (grants for Reading groups)
2. Other Upcoming Events
3. Prayer Points
4. New Resources
5. Study Tour on European Sustainable Energy Security -- Note by Simon Bond (attached)

1. Follow up on Walk to Church Sunday
from Rita Belletty, the organiser: congratulations to Rita and the congregation at St John Bosco and to Mike Turton and the congregation at St James)

The photograph is of the wall behind the altar of St John Bosco, Woodley, the feet reminding parishioners that 18 July is designated Walk to Church Sunday. This is the second year St John Bosco has celebrated this event to demonstrate that small steps taken by a number of individuals will make a difference. The event which is organised by the church's Climate Change Action Group was supported by 101 adults and children who walked or cycled to Mass and signed their names on lists. The lists have been sent to the Prime Minister to show our support of strong governmental action on climate change. This year St James Anglican church in Woodley joined in, collecting signatures of 58 walkers. It is still possible for churches to stage a Walk to Church Sunday and lobby the Prime Minister. A suggested letter was included in the last Eco-Congregation E-Group newsletter; it and a draft poster can also be obtained from CAFOD Portsmouth portsmouth@cafod.org.uk or from Rita Belletty rita.belletty@talktalk.net.

National Energy Saving Week

If you are in the Reading Borough area and have special plans, you might be able to get funding for them. Reading Borough Council offers "Green Grants" for community projects. The general guidelines for Green Grants are available here or emailmailto:summreen.sheikh@reading.gov.uk The grant deadline for National Energy Saving Week projects is imminent -- 9 August -- so you'll need to move quickly.

2. Other Upcoming Events

now through 1 September -- NUNEHAM COURTENAY -- Family activities at the Arboretum
Special family-friendly activities (Geo-Caching and Explorer Packs) at the Harcourt Arboretum. Free with admission (£3.50/free for children), though there is a deposit required for hiring some equipment. For further details, see the Science 2010 website.

27 to 30 August -- CHELTENHAM -- Greenbelt
Christian arts festival with a strong focus on justice. The "green" Christian groups will have a forum where they will be sharing information and conversation throughout the festival. Information and tickets online from http://www.greenbelt.org.uk/.

September -- BERKS, BUCKS and OXON -- "Inspired by Creation"
Diocese of Oxford's competition asking for photographs, poems and prayers that capture the ways in which people are "inspired by Creation". Where do you encounter God in Creation? For further information or to enter, click on the Earthing Faith website here.

1 September to 4 October -- EUROPE -- Creation Time 2010
The time set apart by the European churches to consider the wonders of God's creation and our responsibilities towards it. See the "Resources" section for worship materials for the season.

4 to 5 September -- WALLINGFORD -- Green Fair
Sustainable Wallingford will be running a Green Fair in "Centre 70" at this year's Bunkfest. Includes stalls with insulation, solar energy, rain harvesting, green architects and sustainably produced good as well as talks on insulation, solar power and efficient use of energy in the home. Come along and find out more.

4 to 5 September -- WARWICKSHIRE -- Small is . . . .Festival
Sponsored by Practical Action and Engineers without Borders UK, a festival to celebrate small, practical actions in environment and development -- based on the ideas of EF Schumacher. For more information, see the Practical Action website page here.

16-19 September -- SOUTHWELL MINSTER (Notts) -- Green as a Leaf: Renewing a Theology of Creation
Featuring a great range of keynote speakers: Simon Conway Morris, Michael Northcott, John Rodwell, John Milbank, Simon Oliver, Alison Milbank, Margaret Barker, this conference brings together theologians, philosophers, scientists and cultural critics to explore the specifically theological resources that can be brought to bear on our relation to the natural world. Download a registration form at www.southwell.anglican.org/DeptforDevGreenasaleaf.html

18 September -- BIRMINGHAM -- Growing Organically- Using church land as a model for environmental change
A conference covering the importance of church land management. It will also give practical examples of projects and open up opportunities to see what conservation potential church land may hold. Main speakers: Professor Sir Ghillean Prance and Bishop James Jones; informative and interactive workshops. 10:00 am to 4:40 pm, Carrs Lane Church Center, Birmingham, B4 7SX. Cost: £10/£5.Please book in advance. Please bring a packed lunch, drinks and light refreshments will be available. For directions please visit: www.arocha.org/gb-en - Further info: kajsa.brittsjo@arocha.org

22 September -- YOUR CHURCH? -- Ringing bells for biodiversity
On 22 September Heads of State will assemble at the United Nations to discuss the biodiversity crisis. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is encouraging the ringing of bells all over the world as an urgent 'memo' to rouse the world to action on saving species. The UK organisers of the International Year of Biodiversity hope that church bells throughout the UK can join in. Might your church take part? Contact CCOW if you are interested.

22 September -- EUROPE (including your church and home?) -- European Car Free Day
Each year many of the towns in our area celebrate this day. Is there something that your church could do in support?

3 October -- YOUR CHURCH AND HOME? -- Operation Noah "Oil Fast"
Operation Noah is responding to the recent crises around oil extraction by pointing out that capping one well isn't enough to resolve the environmental issues: we need to cap the demand that leads oil companies to increasingly risky extraction activities. They've designated 3 October as a day for Christians to try to live without oil (insofar as is possible) -- a first step on what they're calling a "Carbon Exodus," a "determined and sacrificial journey out of our dependence on fossil fuels." Find out more on the Operation Noah website.

4 to 8 October -- UK -- National Lift Share Week
Does what it says on the tin . . . can you work out ways to encourage people to share cars? Resources available here. Reading will be focusing on its car share scheme during this week. Find out more here.

9 October -- MAIDENHEAD -- Energy Saving Exhibition
Save the date!

9 October -- ABINGDON -- Eco-Fair
Abingdon's first eco-fair will have "fun activities and practical ideas to help us all live well without damaging the planet." The fair will focus on five areas: energy, food, waste, travel and biodiversity. An event for the whole family, it will also have a cafe serving local food. 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Abingdon Guildhall, Abbey Close OX14 3JE. Further information http://carboncutters.blogspot.com./

10 October -- CHARLBURY -- Showing of "Dirty Oil"
CAWAG [Charlbury Area Waste Action Group] and ChOC [Charlbury's Own Cinema] present "Dirty Oil" a film about the impacts of oil extraction from the Alberta Tar Sands. 7:30 pm, Memorial Hall, Charlbury. Tickets cost £4.50. Charlbury's contribution to the 10:10 day of action.

14 October through 25 November -- OXFORD -- Seminar series on certification and sustainability
Weekly seminars on certification processes for timber, diamonds, Fair Trade and more. Sponsored by the James Martin 21st Century School. For full details, go to the Oxford website here.

15 to 17 October -- RINGSFIELD HALL nr. Beccles (Suffolk) -- Christian Ecology Link Retreat
Theme: "Gardening in Gethsemane: Being with nature on the way to resurrection." More information here.

20 October -- LONDON -- Christian Aid supporter day
Join supporters from around the country to pray, share and act on ending poverty and fighting climate injustice. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Westminster Central Hall and the Houses of Parliament. Register online at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/.

11/12 November -- CHARNEY BASSETT (nr Abingdon/Wantage) -- Retreat
Join Ruth Valerio ("L is for lifestyle") and other Christians concerned for our world as we seek God's guidance: given the environmental crises of the present, how do we think about Christian lifestyle? What can we do to support each other in prayer and action? This retreat is being jointly organised by a wide variety of Christian groups including CEL, Operation Noah, Quaker Peace and Social Witness, CCOW, and others. For more information, emailmailto:maranda@ccow.org.uk.

3. Prayer Points

        Bonn Climate Negotiations
        From today until Friday, delegates are meeting in Bonn, Germany, to continue the post-Copenhagen process. One set of discussions will look at the broader
        "vision" and is expected to focus on "mitigation by developed countries, mitigation by developing countries, institutional arrangements for financing, and
        market-based approaches to mitigating climate change." The other set of discussions will focus on the more technical aspects of developed countries' obligations,
        looking at "scale of emission reductions from Annex I parties to the Protocol; legal issues, including addressing a possible gap between the Protocol's first
        commitment period (2008-2012) and subsequent commitment periods; and "other" issues such as land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF)." Please pray
        that developed and developing countries will be willing to place common interest above self interest and to move towards a set of fair, ambitious and binding
        goals. Follow reporting on this at IISD(technical, and the source of quotes here) or in the news.

Pakistan
Flooding in Northwest Pakistan is estimated to have affected one million people, with many villages washed away. (Further information here)
Tearfund has offered the following prayer points:
    * Please pray for those affected by the flooding, particularly the Lord's comfort for those who have lost loved ones, friends and neighbours.
    * Pray for the rain and flood waters to relent and for rescue and humanitarian efforts to get to those in need quickly.
    * Pray for wisdom in the decision-making of the Pakistani authorities and for staff from our partner SSEWA-Pak as they respond to this disaster. (for more from Tearfund on the flooding, click here)

Caribbean
As this goes out, the National Hurricane Center has just issued its first advisory on a new tropical depression to the East of the Caribbean. Thanks be to God, the forecast only calls for the depression to reach "Tropical Storm" status -- and for it to pass well away from most inhabited islands. Nonetheless the hurricane season is always a source of tension for people in the most affected regions, and while the year's storms thus far have been fairly mild, the forecast is for an "active" season. Please pray for all for whom the hurricane season is a time of anxiety. Pray for any preparations to meet this and subsequent storms. Pray that the storms will not do serious damage and particularly that they will avoid the most vulnerable areas, especially Haiti.

Russia
"Grief has come to our nation, human lives have been lost, hundreds have lost shelter and thousands have been left without sustenance, including many children. . . I call upon everyone to unite in a prayer for rain to descend on our earth," the Russian orthdodox Patriarch of Mosco and All Russia is reported to have said as he visited a monastery in one of the area's worst affected by the current drought, heatwave and forest fires. 774 fires were said to have been reported as of yesterday (Sunday) morning, and it is predicted that this year's Russian grain harvest will be 20% lower. Please pray for rain and more moderate weather. Pray for the farmers who are losing their crops. Pray for those who have lost homes or are being evacuated. Pray for those who are suffering because of the health impacts of the smoke in many areas. Pray that this evidence of the damage that can be inflicted by temperature increases will spur all countries to action against global warming. (Sources include Reuters, Financial Times)

Louisiana
A recent article written by a Louisiana native makes clear the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on people living in the area. Please pray that the clean-up operation may proceed as well as is possible. Pray that the ecosystems in the area may recover. Pray for the people whose lives and livelihoods have been so deeply affected. Pray for all companies that are engaged in deep-water drilling and other forms of oil and gas extraction, that they may put safety ahead of profit margins.

Food Security
The ongoing food crisis in the Sahel region highlights the need for all people to have food security. Please pray for the people of the Sahel; pray that they may receive the necessary aid. Pray particularly for children, who are vulnerable to permanent damage as a result of hunger. More broadly, the markets' response to the environmental crises in different areas of the world is pushing food prices up again to the levels last seen in the price spike of 2008. This can mean that in many communities (as is the case in Niger) even when there is enough food, the poor cannot afford it. Please pray that food may be affordable. Pray particularly for an end to speculation in food, which worsens the situation.

4. New Resources

Worship and Theology

"Creation Flourishing: A Time for Celebration and Care" -- the resources for "Creation Time 2010" are now available on the CTBI website here. Sermon notes and three sermons; three sets of prayers for intercession; children's activities; a group study; and biodiversity FAQs. Lots of really, really good material. Please do have a look.

A write-up of the National Justice and Peace Network's conference on "Food Security, People and Planet"

Practical Action

Our small actions may be more effective than we realise: a new report suggests that far more of Britain's savings could be found from "the small stuff" than was previous thought. Material to show to those people who say, "What difference can I make . . . . "

On which note, The Greening Campaign, which helps people to take -- and share -- simple actions to build up comunity action, launched its community adaptation toolkit on the 20th of July in London. The presentations from the launch are available here. There are a number of "Greening" communities in our area including Cold Ash, Hungerford, Thatcham and Wallingford. Is your church in a "greening community"? Email us to share some of your experiences!

And to get a wider view of communities' potential, take a look at the summary booklet for "The Future Is Local: Empowering communities to improve their neighbourhoods" (lots of interesting stuff here) from the now-axed Sustainable Development Commission.

Science and Policy: Climate Change and Food Security

Climate Change

The Guardian reports that US Government data (from NOAA and other sources) suggests that this was the warmest June and is likely to be the warmest (or second warmest) year on record. For the data from the "State of the Climate" June 2010 report, produced by NOAA, click here. The full "State of the Climate 2009" report is available here, and looks at almost a dozen key climate indicators. The summary booklet for "The State of the Climate," which is called"How we know the world has warmed," is well worth reading and can be found here.

Climate Action Tracker "is an independent science-based assessment, which tracks the emission commitments and actions of countries. The website provides an up-to-date assessment of individual national pledges to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions." Worth following and gives much information to use as the basis for informed prayer.

What Tom Friedman would have liked to have seen from a US climate/energy bill; what he and Clive Crook have to say about what happened.

Food security

Martin Hodson responds to the question "Are GM crops necessary to secure global food supplies at affordable prices?"

What's going to happen with the decline in wheat production in Russia? It looks as though the price of wheat, for example, may spike again at 2008 levels. Read an article about the current wheat price rises here, an article about a storage problem compounding the difficulty in India here, and news about the possible impact that price hikes in grain and silage might have in the UK here. Read the FAO's analysis of food insecurity (2009) here.

Campaigning

Are the bankers who are investing in the commodity market part of the reason why food prices have gone beyond the reach of the world's poor? And if so, what can be done about it? Worth looking at on this subject is WDM's new campaign against speculation in food. Click here for more information.

Eco- Congregation E-Group Email: 16 July 2010

In this email . . . .

1. Events Highlight -- Walk to Church Sunday and "Inspired by Creation"
2. Upcoming Events
3. New Resources
4. Fairtrade and the Environment: Dominica (and a travel note)

1. Events Highlights -- Walk to Church Sunday and "Inspired by Creation"

Walk to Church Sunday
This Sunday, the 18th of July, St John Bosco Church in Woodley is encouraging as many of its congregants as possible to walk to church . . . and then to tell the Prime Minister about it. The aim is to do something that reduces the carbon footprint locally and then to use the local action to send a message of support for Government measures that would seek to reduce the UK's footprint . . .and to ask the Government to show leadership in pressing for a global deal. The congregation's letter to the Prime Minister is attached -- might this be something that your church could do (perhaps on 19 September, which is designated as Car Free Sunday)? If you would like to know more, contact Rita Belletty.

Inspired by Creation
The Diocese of Oxford, meanwhile, is inviting people to share the places where they have been "Inspired by Creation." Inspired by Creation will give you the opportunity to win prizes by entering a photograph and/or a poem/prayer that captures the place where you encounter God through creation. Register now by filling in the form at http://www.earthingfaith.org/inspired/ Then use the summer to take a photograph or write a poem/prayer that is inspired by the place where you encounter God through creation. In September you will get a reminder to come back to the Earthing Faith website, when you will be able to enter your photograph and/or words into the competition. If you would like to pass the information about this contest on, you can download fliers and further details from the website http://www.earthingfaith.org/inspired/

2. Other Upcoming Events

19/20 July -- OXFORD -- Introduction to Permaculture Design Course
Oxford Permaculture is offering an introductory permaculture design course for people who want to make their community more sustainable and resilient to changing climate and to develop practical skills for food growing and eco-renovation. The course will include theory and practical sessions. 10:00 am to 5:00 pm daily, Barracks Lane Community Garden. Cost £95/£60. For information or to book, go to http://www.oxfordpermaculture.org/.

22 July -- WITNEY -- ‘Artopia’
Artopia is designed to encourage people to think about the kind of climate future they hope for in a creative way, and to develop positive conversation about climate change. The event is a participatory Art display. Organisers will be working with local artists and youth and community groups to deliver workshops combining artistic techniques with informed discussion on climate change. There are workshops from 10am - 5pm and an open evening from 7-9pm, all at the Corn Exchange. Youth groups, community groups and artists are invited to get involved. Might your church be interested? Further info: Mary Frampton 0207 802 9972

23 July -- LONDON -- ‘Don’t mine us out of existence’ (Vedanta)
There is controversy around UK-based mining company Vedanta's activities in Orissa, India. In the lead up to Vedanta’s AGM on 28 July, Amnesty International UK hosts a panel discussion and film screening about the impact of Vedanta’s activities and plans, which threaten the Dongria Kondh community’s right to water, food,
health and work. Speakers include Delhi-based environmental and human rights activist Sreedhar Ramamurthy (Environics Trust) and Peter Frankental (AIUK). 6.30–8.30 pm, Human Rights Action Centre, 17–25 New Inn Yard, London EC2A 3EA. Admission free.

24 July -- CHARLBURY -- Film and Local/Seasonal Meal
ChOC, Sustainable Charlbury and CAWAG join together to show "Food, Inc." with a local/seasonal meal beforehand. 7:00 pm, Memorial Hall. Tickets are £10: email charlburyfeasts@cwag.org.uk

29 July -- LONDON -- Christian Aid's Environmental Work
"Christian Aid's Climate Change & Adaptation Work with Links to Emerging Renewable Energy Issues," a talk by Richard Ewbank, Climate Change Programme Coordinator at Christian Aid. Sponsored by the London Regional Issues Group. 6:30 pm, The Carpenters Arms, 12 Seymour Place, Marylebone. (These events are aimed at going into some depth about the topics covered -- should be interesting).

29 July -- WITNEY -- Environmental fun day
Learn how you can help save money and the environment with fun activities, stalls and advice. Come along to see the energy bus and bike-powered energy stall, get info on the new waste and recycling service in West Oxon, bring your energy bills to find out how to save money with green techniques, meet local environmental action groups, and more! Refreshments available. 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, The Corn Exchange. For more information, go to http://www.westoxon.gov.uk

31 July -- OXFORD -- Learn how to lay a green roof . . .
Barracks Lane Community Garden will be installing a green roof on Saturday 31st July and needs around 16 volunteers (doing 2-3 hours each) interested in learning how green roofs are installed to help out. Normally people pay for a workshop to learn how to install a green roof – so this is a great opportunity to learn for free! It will be hard physical labour but with the promise of seeing what has been put in place to support the roof, and bedding the meadow turf, at the end of the day. Kay and Gareth who are supplying the substrate and turf, and who have worked on the overall design, are some of the UK's leading experts on green roofs, and very enthusiastic and willing to share their considerable knowledge, and will be there all day. If you can help out, please contact Kate Jury on: katiejury@mac.com or 01865 201 882

1 September to 4 October -- EUROPE -- Creation Time 2010
The time set apart by the European churches to consider the wonders of God's creation and our responsibilities towards it. See the "Resources" section for worship materials for the season.

16-19 September -- SOUTHWELL MINSTER (Notts) -- Green as a Leaf: Renewing a Theology of Creation
Featuring a great range of keynote speakers: Simon Conway Morris, Michael Northcott, John Rodwell, John Milbank, Simon Oliver, Alison Milbank, Margaret Barker, this conference brings together theologians, philosophers, scientists and cultural critics to a Norman cathedral and to the historic Brackenhurst estate in Sherwood Forest to explore the specifically theological resources that can be brought to bear on our relation to the natural world. Sponsored by Southwell Minster, Southwell and Nottinghamshire Diocese, the University of Nottingham Theology Department Centre of Theology and Philosophy and Nottingham Trent University Department of Environmental Sciences Download a registration form at www.southwell.anglican.org/DeptforDevGreenasaleaf.html

18 September -- BIRMINGHAM -- Growing Organically- Using church land as a model for environmental change
We live in a time where havens for wildlife are becoming smaller and more isolated. - This conference will cover the importance of church land management. It will also give practical examples of projects and open up opportunities to see what conservation potential church land may hold. The main speakers will be Professor Sir Ghillean Prance and Bishop James Jones, followed by informative and interactive workshops. Carrs Lane Church Center, Birmingham, B4 7SX - 10:00am Registration- 4:40pm Finish- Prices: £10 - £5 Concessions - Please book in advance. - Please bring a packed lunch, drinks and light refreshments will be available. For directions please visit: www.arocha.org/gb-en - For any other queries, please email: kajsa.brittsjo@arocha.org

22 September -- YOUR CHURCH? -- Ringing bells for biodiversity
On 22 September Heads of State will assemble at the United Nations to discuss the biodiversity crisis. The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is encouraging the ringing of bells all over the world as an urgent 'memo' to rouse the world to action on saving species. The UK organisers of the International Year of Biodiversity hope that church bells throughout the UK can join in. Might your church take part? Contact CCOW if you are interested.

3 October -- YOUR CHURCH AND HOME? -- Operation Noah "Oil Fast"
Operation Noah is responding to the recent crises around oil extraction by pointing out that capping one well isn't enough to resolve the environmental issues: we need to cap the demand that leads oil companies to increasingly risky extraction activities. They've designated 3 October as a day for Christians to try to live without oil (insofar as is possible) -- a first step on what they're calling a "Carbon Exodus," a "determined and sacrificial journey out of our dependence on fossil fuels." Find out more on the Operation Noah website.

9 October -- MAIDENHEAD -- Energy Saving Exhibition
9 October -- ABINGDON -- Eco-Fair
Save the date! Two opportunities to learn about how you can save energy and be environmentally responsible. Further details in the next newsletter.

10 October -- GLOBAL -- Micah 2010 -- "What's your promise?" and 10/10 Work Parties
Here's a great opportunity to combine prayer, promises and action, the global and the local. To start off with, you can be part of a global day of promises and prayer organised by Micah Challenge, the international Christian movement to combat extreme poverty and hold governments accountable for their promises in the Millennium Development Goals. They're asking everyone to promise to do one thing that will help those in poverty. This can be environmental: climate injustice is a key cause of poverty! You can register your promise in advance at http://www.whatsyourpromise.org.uk or gather lots of people's promises on the 10th itself in your church. Then you can join millions of Christians in prayer that God will use these promises for good. If you register your promise online or send in those you gather in church, they will also be given to MPs -- so it really is a great chance to show the concern around climate and poverty issues. For more information, go to the "What's your promise?" website (link above).

On the same day, 350.org and the 10:10 campaign are asking people everywhere to engage in environmental activities locally: they're hoping that "in every corner of the world . . . communities will put up solar panels, insulate homes, erect windmills, plant trees, paint bikepaths, launch or harvest local gardens." If doing such activities on a Sunday is problematic for your observation of the Sabbath, why not share a communal meal, organise a walk to church or some similar activity.

20 October -- LONDON -- Christian Aid supporter day
Join supporters from around the country to pray, share and act on ending poverty and fighting climate injustice. 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, Westminster Central Hall and the Houses of Parliament. Register online at http://www.christianaid.org.uk.

3. New Resources

Worship and Theology

Worship Resources for Creation Time 2010
This year, as ever, CTBI will be publishing resources for Creation Time. These will include sermon notes, prayers, material for use with children, etc. The materials, which will focus on biodiversity, will be available on the CTBI website here. At present, there is only the flyer for Creation Time; the other materials should arrive shortly.

Climate Change Day of Prayer Resources
Just a reminder that the Climate Change Day of Prayer resources from 2009 are still available on the CTBI website. They include a really fine compendium of quotes and prayers . . . well worth looking at!

The John Ray Initiative's latest newsletter contains detailed reports of the talks at their conference on "Food Futures," which contained much theological, as well as practical, reflection on the way Christians engage with food issues. Lots of food for thought!

Practical Action

What might the financial impact of installing solar panels be for UK churches? Read a press release that suggests that the new feed-in tariff could result in earnings of millions of pounds. There's more information on generation (including details of the feed-in tariff) on the Sustainable Blewbury website here. If your church would like some inspiration in terms of what others are already doing, here's an article about Park URC's plans to go solar now . . . .

And if you want more inspiration, take a look at the winners of the Ashden awards for sustainable energy.

Major publisher Earthscan has a series of free, live, interactive web events on environmental issues. Go to their website to see what's coming up . . . but also to catch past webcasts on topics such as "Sustainability in everyday life: personal change and change in others," "Climate Change and Business Success," and "Climate Change and Health Services."

Methodist Conference pledged this year to reduce emissions by 80% by 2050. Read more about the resolution and how the church intends to carry it out here.

Lots of practical information and advice on the Low Carbon Communities Network webpage . . . .

Climate Change: Science and Policy

Updates on climate science. What are the findings since the last IPCC report? The Nordic ad hoc group on Global Climate Negotiatons gave four Nordic scientists the task to carry out an update of the IPCC Fourth Assessment Report (AR4), focusing on the physical climate system that in the IPCC work is addressed by its Working Group I. You can read the report here.

More on the fall-out from "Climate-Gate": a letter in Science upholding the integrity of climate scientists, the Russell report says that scientists did not withhold data, but the New Scientist would like to see more rigour in the reviews . . . .

An image can be worth a thousand words. Glacial retreat is one of the areas where claims and counterclaims have often been made. Photographer Gary Braasch's website "World View of Global Warming" provides striking photos of glacial retreat that illustrate the phenomenon. (NB: We have not evaluated the whole website)

Zero Carbon Britain, published by the Centre for Alternative Technology, offers a potential roadmap for eliminating fossil fuel emissions from the UK by 2030.

"The Climate Game and the World's Poor" is a 42-minute film from IIED which follows developing-country delegates at the 2009 climate talks in Copenhagen. It does a good job of providing an overview of the negotiations as well as offering particular stories and perspectives.

But what about China? UNDP China offers its views on what China should be doing to move to a low-carbon economy.

4. Fairtrade and the Environment: Dominica (and a travel note)

As some of you will be aware, one of CCOW's foci is Fair Trade. In April of this year, I went to Dominica, one of the Windward Islands, to look at the ways that Fair Trade, wider trade, environmental and other development issues intersect. The particular "lens" for the visit was the banana trade. The attached talks about the environmental work that the Dominica National Fair Trade Organisation has done and is doing with banana farmers: you may find it useful if you're trying to help people see how the different issues interrelate.

As for the travel note. . . . While the time in Dominica was for work, overall the travel for this trip, which also involved a visit to family, counted as personal. So in order to cut the carbon footprint of the trip, I came back via cargo ship. A number of people, upon hearing this, have asked how one can make the arrangements for cargo travel. The answer is a specialist agent. If you'd like the name of the one I used, or more information about what the travel was like (very positive!), let me know.

September Eco-Congregation E-Group Bulletin (Part 1)

Prayer

If you're looking for a daily prayer diary, try the Christian Ecology Link (CEL) one here: month by month, you get a daily set of prayer points.

If your church is celebrating Time for Creation (or even if it isn't yet), have a look at this year's Time for Creation resources. Titled "Creation in Crisis," they focus on preparing for Copenhagen. There are sermon notes which could double as Bible studies for small groups and, just as last year, a superb collection of prayers. One of our "must use" resources for the Autumn in this area . . . .

And another superb resource, also on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) website: materials for a "Day of Prayer" before Copenhagen. Suggestions for how to hold a vigil service, 82 short readings (which are also available as MP3s to download) from which to select, publicity materials, a petition and more. Could your church set aside a few hours and host a time to pray?

Events: Learning and Reflection

This Weekend -- Oxfordshire -- Eco-vation Open Houses
Visit and learn from people around the county who have eco-renovated their homes. See how they have used technology, talk with them about the challenges and joys . . . For more information, including a full list of homes open, visit the Eco-vation website.

19 September -- Birmingham -- Low Carbon Community Conference
Sessions on community support, funding for action, a briefing on Copenhagen and more. For details and booking, see their conference web page: http://lowcarboncommunities.net/2009/06/29/conference-booking-2009-now-open/

30 September -- Kidlington -- Kidlington against Climate Change will host a showing of the Age of Stupid.
Exeter Hall, tickets for £3 (£2 concessions) including complementary glass of wine. Limited places available - to book please contact kidlingtonvsclimatechange@yahoo.co.uk or phone 01865 841146 (evening). There will be an expert for Q&A afterwards for those who wish to stay briefly.

6 October -- Oxford -- "God, the Environment and Me"
Talk by Revd Professor Ian James. St Margaret's Church, St Margaret's Road, 8:00 pm.

13 October -- Southwark Cathedral -- "Noah and the Flood: lessons for the Twenty First Century": the Operation Noah annual lecture: Dr Rowan Williams, the Archbishop of Canterbury.
‘Ahead of the critical Copenhagen summit, can biblical wisdom help us?’ 6.45pm for a 7pm start. Admission by ticket only; tickets are free. To book yours, email campaigns@operationnoah.org.

16 October -- Banbury -- Age of Stupid showing with Mark Lynas and Tony Baldry, MP
Sponsored by Banbury Friends of the Earth. Details to come -- but save the date.

16 October -- Caversham -- The Challenge of Copenhagen
7.30 pm at Caversham Heights Methodist Church, Joanne Green, Head of Policy at CAFOD, will speak about "The Challenge of Copenhagen" The evening will, in particular, be drawing attention to the adverse effects of climate change on those in Less Developed Countries who are least able to adapt and considering how we might respond. There will be a small charge of £2 to cover cost of refreshments and other expenses. Further details from Owen Jewis, email: owen.jewiss [at] tiscali.co.uk tel: 0118 9475003

17 October -- Solihull -- God or Mammon? The Economy and Gospel values at global, local and individual levels
The 5th Birmingham (Roman Catholic) Diocese Justice and Peace Assembly with speakers George Gelber, Head of Public Policy for CAFOD and journalist and broadcaster Clifford Longley. Workshops on a variety of topics -- including climate change and the Christian response -- led by CAFOD, Church Action on Poverty, Pax Christi, Progressio, The Trussell Trust and others. Cost £10/£5 (low-income and students) to include lunch and refreshments for those who register in advance only. Register

22 October -- St John's and St Stephen's Church, Reading -- Tearfund Climate Justice evening
People living in poverty have something to say about climate change– but it’s not often heard by the powerful. As world leaders meet to agree a new climate change deal in December, we have a one-off, God-given opportunity to deliver a message from our poorer neighbours. It’s a message about how their lives, their homes, their families are being shattered by the changing climate. We’d like to invite you to a special climate justice evening, where you'll find out everything you need to know to be part of a united Christian response to climate change. No previous experience or knowledge is required. Just a concern for justice and a desire to take action, pray and get your church involved. For more information contact Rosemary Croft, Email: rosemarycroft [at] clara.co.uk, Tel: 0118 9260672.

10 November -- Oxford -- One Earth, Many Faiths Event
Save the date! Films, talks and more at St. Mary the Virgin, the University Church

10 November -- Bracknell -- Where on earth are we going with climate change?
Revd Professor Ian James speaks. St. Edward's Catholic Church (Hall), Alma Road, Windsor SL4 3HJ. 7:30 pm.

Events: Prayer and Action -- Coming Together

We can do a lot on our own. We can do more when we come together: at church level, within our community, and even as a nation or as an international community. Two key opportunities to come together at a national or international level this Autumn around poverty and climate change issues are:

“Stand Up and Take Action” – around the world over 100 million people are expected to join in asking politicians for urgent action on poverty and climate change. And it's easy to join in! You can “stand up” and write to your MP during a church service or join in a local lobby of MP s and candidates. Help create a mandate for bold action on climate and development issues. Global information is at http://www.standagainstpoverty.org; the UK "Church Toolkit" for Stand Up is also attached.

Please do consider doing "Stand Up" in your churches. If you would like action cards, or suggestions for letters that you can send to your MP, email CCOW.

There are also local lobbies or events being organised for the Banbury, Buckingham, Maidenhead, Oxford East, Oxford West and Abingdon, Reading, Wantage and Witney areas/constituencies. To find out more about the Reading event, contact Owen Jewiss, as above. Oxford will host not only lobbies but also a campaigning moment at 12:00 noon, 17 October, on Cornmarket. Contact Amy Merone at Christian Aid amerone@christian-aid.org for more details. The Maidenhead lobby is being coordinated by Simon Bond: email simon [a] armitage.biz to join in. For all other events, contact CCOW.
“The Wave” (the event formerly known as "March in December") – On 5 December at 11:00 am, UK Christians will come together at Westminster Central Hall to pray for the Copenhagen negotiations: the Archbishop of Canterbury will preach, and the Archbishop of Westminster, President of Methodist Conference and other church leaders will be present. Then members of the group are encouraged to join Stop Climate Chaos's “The Wave” rally. For more information about service and rally, go to http://www.stopclimatechaos.org A flyer for "The Wave" service is available here. Oh, and the title is blue because that's the theme of the march.

Coaches will be going from various points around our area. For information about the Reading coach, contact rita.belletty@talktalk.net (0118 969 6219). The Reading coach will also be stopping in Woodley and Maidenhead. If you're interested in joining a coach at Maidenhead, contact simon [a] armitage.biz.

August Eco-Congregation E-Group Bulletin

Autumnal weather aside, bearing in mind that this is when many churches plan for September through December's services and events, we wanted to bring to your attention a series of opportunities for church members to engage in poverty and climate issues this Autumn. These aren't any one agency's or group's events (more on those will come around later); they're potentially your events. Can you and/or your church work them into your calendar? The headline dates are:

1 September to 4 October: Time for Creation (Creation in Crisis)

18 October: Stand Up/Micah Sunday/One World Week

1 December: World AIDS Day

5 December to 18 December: Preparation for/Praying for Copenhagen

And here are the further details of the poverty/climate events (more on World AIDS Day to follow later):

1 September to 4 October -- Time for Creation (Creation in Crisis) -- Across Europe

As was the case last year, churches throughout Europe are being asked to set aside some time during the period from 1 September to 4 October "dedicated to prayer for the protection of Creation and the promotion of sustainable lifestyles that reverse our contribution to climate change." This year the theme of the period is "Creation in Crisis -- A time for prayer and action" and the material looks at some of the key issues facing the UN Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December. There are very comprehensive resources available on the CTBI website page dedicated to Creation in Crisis: two sets of sermon notes (lectionary-based and thematic), material for discussion groups, action ideas, and probably one of the strongest collections of prayers and liturgies on climate assembled in English. Can your church incorporate some of this material into your services? In particular, the Environmental Issues Network of CTBI is asking churches if they would make the final Sunday of Time for Creation, 4 October (the feast of St Francis, for those who observe feasts!) a "Day of Prayer on Climate Change" in preparation for Copenhagen. Resources for this will be on the CTBI website, and are already available here.

18 October -- Stand Up/Micah Sunday/One World Week

Our prayers should combine with action . . . so if you have prayed during Creation Time, 18 October is a wonderful weekend for your church to move into action . . . and to join millions of people around the world in doing so! Last year over 60,000 people in the UK -- and more than 100 million worldwide -- participated in Stand Up and Take Action, the annual campaign event to press for an end to extreme poverty. This year's Stand Up is calling for urgent action on both poverty and climate change and it has a global and a local focus. Participants are asked

to stand and register the numbers standing on the global Stand Up and Take Action website (a great site . . . catch the pictures of events around the world) -- the numbers standing worldwide will be a key indicator of global concern for Copenhagen and the 2010 MDG Review Summit
to ask their local parliamentarians (MPs) to commit to said urgent action

How can you participate? Your church can do a "Stand Up" during the service -- praying on poverty and climate issues, pledging to engage with them, and perhaps inviting your MP, or writing him/her a letter, or sending him/her an agency action postcard. Individuals from your church may also want to join a local lobby of your MP; throughout the three counties agencies (CAFOD, CCOW, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Tearfund, World Vision and BOND) and local groups wil be working to organise them. Contact CCOW if you'd like to join in.

For churches that celebrate One World Week, Stand Up is a great way to start your week -- demonstrating precisely the kind of concern for justice and solidarity with people around the world that the week is meant to encourage. A number of Roman Catholic churches in our area will also be joining through Just1, which has produced resources for churches,schools and individuals -- Portsmouth (Roman Catholic) Diocese is signed up en masse! Micah Challenge UK, the UK wing of the international Christian campaign against poverty, has adopted Stand Up as its Micah Sunday campaign action, and is producing worship materials that encourage Christians to "play your part" in ending poverty and fighting injustice. . . . watch out for their "Play your part" video which will be available by mid-September; we've seen a sneak preview, and it has an amazingly powerful sequence about Christians around the world using their gifts and talents for good.

You'll be hearing more from us about Stand Up and Micah Sunday in the next few weeks . . . but do put the date in your diary.

5 December to 18 December -- Preparation, Prayer and Action around Copenhagen -- Global

As you are aware, the climate negotiations coming up at Copenhagen represent a critical moment: Kyoto expires in 2010, and there's general consensus that a successor agreement must include radical cuts in emissions and must protect the poorest by offering sufficient funds for developing country adaptation and mitigation. And yet, as is so often true in negotiations involving large numbers of countries, stand-offs abound. We need to pray that world leaders will honour the gravity of the situation by being prepared to cooperate with each other in concerted, serious action. And we need to press our government for rapid and deep emissions cuts -- 40% by 2020 -- and funding for adaptation. If the developed countries, who have benefited from and contributed to carbon emissions historically, are not prepared to take action, no one else will be either.

There will be many opportunities for prayer and action around Copenhagen -- two "mass moments" are:

5 December -- London -- "The Wave" service and march. An ecumenical service on climate change with the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Archbishop of Westminster and other church leaders. 11:00 am, Central Hall Westminster. Followed by a family-friendly march.
13 December -- Across Europe -- The Archbishop of Canterbury will be in Copenhagen for the middle weekend of the COP at the invitation of the Danish Churches. He will preach on Sunday (2pm) at a major ecumenical service in Copenhagen Cathedral. Throught Europe, churches have been asked to ring their bells 350 times at 3:00 pm, when that service concludes. (The 350 represents the 350 parts per million that many agree is the safe upper limit for the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere) Might your bellringers be interested?

14 May: The Johannesburg Anglican Environmental Initiative

We've been admiring the work on Eco-Congregations that is being done by the Johannesburg Anglican Environmental Initiative . A project within Johannesburg's Diocesan Social Responsibility Portfolio, the JAEI "has been formed to:

an awareness among Johannesburg Anglican Christians of environmental concerns
Encourage parish environmental projects
Develop the concept of the eco-congregation among parishes
Network widely with all groups concerned with sustainable development and environmental issues
Be a resource to the Christian community in terms of environmental issues
Encourage environmental education
Develop position papers on major environmental issues to serve as guidelines for theological reflection and diocesan advocacy"

Their website includes information on Eco-Congregations in South Africa, downloadable theological and liturgical resources, some very helpful links and tools, etc. Some of the participating parishes also have their own websites: we found the page explaining the role of the sustainability committee at St Martin's-in-the-Veld, and the links page from St Michael and All Angels, Weltevreden Park, particularly useful.

20 April: China considering targets for carbon emissions

An article in yesterday's Guardian indicates that some Chinese politicians are considering a target that would limit emissions relative to economic growth, while a few even suggest that China should think in terms of reducing emissions overall from 2020 onwards. Such commitments, if adopted, could go a long way towards expediting negotiations for a successor to Kyoto at Copenhagen.

The Guardian article references work by the Brookings Institution on US/China climate policy. There's an interesting paper available here that gives background on what some Brookings experts feel the way forward is for US policy not only in relation to China, but also to the rest of the world.

April 2009: Bonn, Blogs, and Polar Warming

The latest round of talks in preparation for the Conference of Parties meeting in Copenhagen this December were held in Bonn at the beginning of the month. There was significant disagreement around the cuts in carbon emissions that need to be made by 2030, as well as in both the amounts of funding need for mitigation and adaptation and the mechanisms for delivering that funding. For brief overviews, see the analysis from Oxfam International and from Duncan Green of Oxfam GB.To see the information about the Bonn meeting in more detail, go to the UNFCC's page for the meeting; the subpage relating to the workshop on issues relating to the scale of emissions reductions to be achieved by Annex I Parties may be of particular interest, as it gives some quite radical proposals from developing countries for developed-country mitigation.

From the large-scale to the local . . . two interesting UK blogs for churches that are interested in working on reducing their carbon footprints: Joanna Laynesmith's Greening St Johns and the Lenten adventures of someone taking part in Tearfund's Carbon Fast.

News about faster than expected melting of polar ice made the headlines when the British Antarctic Survey indicated that the Wilkins Ice Shelf that "looks set to be the latest to break out from the Antarctic peninsula." Clear explanations (with images) of what is happening are available on the British Antarctic Survey website and the (US) National Snow and Ice Data Center website ; read the UNEP press release here .

March 2009: Church Leaders Speak on the Environment, New Campaign Materials

On the 25th of March, the Archbishop of Canterbury delivered an Ebor Lecture entitled "Renewing the Face of the Earth: Human Responsibility and the Environment. Read it, or listen to it (including Question and Answers), by clicking here .

Baptist, Methodist and United Reformed Church leaders also challenged the heads of state meeting for the London Summit to show genuine leadership on climate change, noting "the G20 leaders must not allow the economic crisis to divert us from tackling this challenge. This is precisely the right time to be making concrete commitments on low-carbon growth." Read the Baptist Union press release here .

Shortly thereafter, the Joint Public Issues team of the Baptist, Methodist and URC churches, released a new report on climate change and theology. The report, Hope in God's Future: Christian Discipleship in the Context of Climate Change , was prepared by a working group of members drawn from all three churches. It is well worth reading.

CAFOD has launched its "Climate Justice" campaign. Read about the rationale behind it . . . and find out how to join in campaign actions . . . here .

CAFOD, Christian Aid and other agencies joined together for a climate change "day of action" in Coventry on March 19th. The day included a service in Coventry Cathedral with a talk by James Hansen and a sermon from the Bishop of Liverpool, as well as a march to the UK headquarters of E.ON to protest plans for a new coal-fired plant at Kingsnorth. Read about, and see video of the various talks and the march here .

January 2009: Green Faith Day

On 17 January at Tilehurst Methodist Church, Christians interested in our responsibilities towards the environment will gather to explore issues and possibilities for action. An opening panel features

Dr. Paula Clifford, Head of Theology for Christian Aid
Mrs. Ruth Conway, board member of Operation Noah and leader of the Education Group, ECEN
Mr. Mark Dowd, Campaign Strategist from Operation Noah
Revd Professor Ian James, Diocese of Oxford Environment Officer and Emeritus Professor, Dept of Meteorology, Reading Univ
Professor Sir John Marsh, Methodist local preacher and Emeritus Professor, Dept of Agricultural Economics, Readung Univ
Maggie Ross, Anglican solitary and academic

Workshops include:

· Children’s workshop on climate change (free for children and in the afternoon only) (Caroline Stocks, Volunteer Student and Youth Worker, Christian Aid)

· The Impact of Climate Change on Poor Communities (Amy Merone, Volunteer Development Officer, Christian Aid)

· Eco-congregations share their experiences (Maranda St John Nicolle, Coordinator, Christian Concern for One World {CCOW} and World Development Adviser, Diocese of Oxford)

· What can we do to limit our energy use? (Martin Carr, Energize Oxford and Mary Miller, Blewburton Partners )

· Green and Ethical Investments (Peter Chesworth, Financial Planner, Ethikos LLP)

· Farming at Sheepdrove Organic Farm (Jason Ball, Manager for Biodiversity and Alternative Energy, Sheepdrove Organic Farm)

· Organic Gardening and Self-sufficiency (Terry Bryant, Tilehurst Horticultural Society)

· Treading Lightly – pathways of reflection (Sue Rowell, Layworker, Tilehurst Methodist Church)

· What’s Climate Change got to do with Organics (morning only) (Anna Batchelor, Communications Coordinator, The True Food Co-op)

There will be worship, exhibitions of resources, and more. For more information and a registration form, go to the listing on the CCOW events page.

October 2008: Cutting Emissions, Earth from the Air, Campaigning from the Ground

UK Government's Decision to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 80%

The Government's announcement that it was committing itself in the Climate Change Bill to 80% rather than 60% cuts in emissions by 2050 was this week's big news -- with the simultaneous announcement of proposals for feed-in tariffs and an attack on unfair pricing. Find out more, by clicking on

the link to the official Dept of Climate Change and Energy news story, with the full text of Miliband's statement

Guardian articles by Ben Caldecott and Michael Meacher that offer a skeptical view of the Government's ability to deliver

responses from WDM and environmental charities and from Tearfund that welcome the announcement but make the point that the cuts, to be effective, must take place "at home" and not, to a large extent, through the purchasing of carbon credits

calls from Christian Aid to continue their campaign to make UK companies responsible for their global emissions

The EU meanwhile had a more difficult time with its negotiations . . .

To find out more about the EU negotiations, see

a special section on the EU negotiations in the Guardian's environment pages, and an article in the Financial Times on last week's events

a paper written by Gary Wilton, the Church of England's representative to the European Union

Earth from the Air

This exhibition is on display at the Oxford Castle until January 2009. It consists of 120 giant flood-lit (?!) pictures that can be viewed day and night. Leaving aside the floodlighting, the exhibit offers a tremendous chance to appreciate the vast and diverse beauties of God's creation. . . . and to think about our obligations of stewardship and care. For more information, go to the Earth from the Air website.

Oxfordshire from the Ground

As part of the events surrounding "Earth from the Air," Climate-X has prepared an exhibition and posters documenting local responses to Climate Change called "Oxfordshire from the Ground." One of the three posters shows Oxfordshire community responses to climate change, and includes many pictures of the Living Green event held on St. Margaret's Church, Oxford. Congratulations to St Margaret's for representing the Churches' involvement in this issue. If you would like to download the poster, click here. And if you'd like larger copies of the posters, or want to email in something your church is doing for inclusion in "Oxfordshire from the Ground," email jo[at] climatex.org, or ring 01865 275 856.

September 2008: Hurricanes and Floods

What are the links between hurricanes and climate change?

This is a controversial area. The link between global warming and hurricanes is one that has seized the popular imagination . . . witness the poster for "An Inconvenient Truth." Having said that, the explicit link between climate change and the impact of Katrina was one of the points on which a UK judge found "An Inconvenient Truth" inaccurate. So is there or isn't there a link?

The New Scientist has a helpful blog which touches on the subject (and on the other contested areas of An Inconvenient Truth) . . . and a search of Nature (if you can get, or are willing to pay for, access) provides any number of references. An assessment report was written by participants in the World Meteorological Association's November 2006 International Workshop on Tropical Cyclones. This has all the caution one would expect from a piece of international committee work; its basic position, in the end, is that the links between global warming and hurricane frequency are unclear, but that a correlation between future global warming and increased hurricane intensity is fairly certain, with the questions being ones of degree. They note, moreover, that "Despite the diversity of research opinions on this issue it is agreed that if there has been a recent increase in tropical cyclone activity that is largely anthropogenic in origin, then humanity is faced with a substantial and unanticipated threat."

An Associated Press website provides some interesting food for thought in this respect: it shows the tracks of Atlantic hurricanes over the decades, providing an index of both frequency and intensity. The number of thick, deep red lines (representing Category 5 hurricanes) recently is quite noticeable.

But what does it all really mean for people? The pictures and videos from Haiti pierce the heart, as did the fervent posting on one recent blog from that country when another tropical storm seemed to be heading their way: "Can you believe it! Pray…pray…pray that it stays FAR FAR away from us." In the US, the Houston Chronicle has been giving full coverage of the impact of Ike. When we talk about climate change creating more intense storms, we are talking about worse scenarios than these becoming more frequent. It's a good reason for starting to change our behaviour to avoid worst-case global warming scenarios . . . and for working to ensure that vulnerable communities are adequately funded to prepare for the results of any intensification that may already be set in motion.

How can we help in Haiti and Bihar?

Christian Aid has updates on the work its partners are doing to help in Bihar and also Haiti, with opportunities to donate.
CAFOD has an emergency fund that enables people to contribute to Haiti and India: http://www.cafod.org.uk/emergencies/haiti-india-2008-09-09 CAFOD director Chris Bain also has an article in this week's “Tablet” that talks about how CAFOD makes decisions about and funds its emergency relief work: http://www.thetablet.co.uk/articles/12006/
Tearfund has updates on the work its partners are doing on the floods in North India, together with information on how to donate. It also has a prayer page for Haiti.
You can also donate to the relief work being undertaken by Oxfam, the Red Cross, Medecins sans Frontieres

September 2008: A Selection of New and Interesting Items

New from the Churches

helping your church "go green"

The Church of England has released "Don't Stop at the Lights," a guide by Claire Foster and David Shreeve that aims to resource churches to take climate change seriously and act on their concerns.

The newsletters from "Creation Challenge," a joint project of the URC and the Methodist Church are always packed full of useful information and contacts. The August newsletter can be read here.

Christian Ecology Link has a new programme of study called ecocell. They note that it is "a toolkit to help you to live a more simple, more Christian lifestyle. . . .Intended for use with house-groups, bible-study groups or any other group it comprises 5 modules covering everyday lifestyles - Waste, Food and Shopping, Energy in the Home, Water and Travel and Transport." The material can be ordered on CD from CEL, or a copy is available on loan from CCOW.

The Diocese of Oxford's World Development Group is sponsoring the third in its series of "Climate Change: God's World and Our Response" panels on the 30th of September. The panel, chaired by the Bishop of Dorchester, will be held at St John the Baptist, Burford, and will feature a presentation on the science of climate change by Revd. Prof. Ian James, Diocesan Environment Officer; a discussion of climate change's impact on developing countries by Paul Valentin, International Director of Christian Aid; and a discussion of what we and our churches can do by the Revd Sarah Tillett, Vicar of Bloxham and board member of A Rocha and Tearfund. Full details in the Events section.
worship materials
See below in the July/August section for Creation Time, Operation Noah, and Call to Creation resources.

New on the Science of Climate Change

A special issueof the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society has been published on Geoengineering, or large-scale interventions or manipulations of the environment that might help deal with climate change. This is a contentious area, but the President of the Royal Society argues that "the challenge we face in avoiding the worst impacts of climate change" necessitates looking at all options that might help alleviate the problem. To read the preface and certain articles from the report, click here. The whole is summarised in a Guardian article here.

Campaigning Roundup

MPs will vote on the Climate Change Bill in October - so this is our last chance to press for a strengthened bill. You can take action with Tearfund by clicking here or with CAFOD by clicking here.
Christian Aid is asking supporters to email E.ON to protest their plans to build a new coal-fired power plant at Kingsnorth; WDM is asking supporters to email the Prime Minister on the same subject.

July/August 2008

New from the Churches

policy

Climate was a key topic at the July 2008 URC General Assembly, where Mark Dowd's talk focused on environmental refugees.

The Church of England's General Synod, also in July, debated a paper entitled "Climate Change and Human Security: A Challenging Environment of Injustice," which looked at issues around the impact of climate change globally, and the questions of equity involved. Synod accepted the paper's recommendations that the Church become a corporate member of Stop Climate Chaos and that it continue steps to establish a Church Adaptation Fund for projects in developing countries adversely affected by Climate Change.

worship materials

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and its constituent members are encouraging congregations to take "Time for Creation" between 1 September and 4 October. If you want to plan a service with a "green" theme then or at any other time, you can't do better than to look at the CTBI resources for Creation Time. Prayers, sermon notes, activities for children and young people. . . . Just an extraordinary collection.

"This advent, we want PROPHETS, not PROFITS!" Great slogan, isn't it? To engage your church in thinking about a sustainable, Christ-focused Advent, take a look at Operation Noah's "Putting the Waiting back into Wanting" campaign. Op Noah also has a pack for doing a day of prayer and fasting on climate change.

Download Eco-Congregations latest newsletter to find out more about what churches are doing locally.

CAFOD has produced a Call of Creation PowerPoint and Call of Creation reflections, available from http://www.cafod.org.uk/worship/live-simply. They link to the Catholic Bishops' Policy Statement, "Call of Creation," available from Progressio. CAFOD has also produced material for youth groups.

New on Climate Change and Development

Africa

Africa: Atlas of Our Changing Environment contains pictorial evidence of the impacts of change in more than 100 locations across all countries in Africa. You can download the atlas, as well as powerpoints, satellite images, interactive maps and more at the UNEP website here.
MDGs
The challenge of meeting the MDGs in Africa is compounded by climate change, according to a joint report from the UN and the African Union. You can read about, and download, the report of the MDGs Africa Steering Group here.

The UN recently held a special event on climate change and the MDGs. You can read Andrew Simms' speech here.
Emerging Economies
At the end of May, EU Commission President Barroso and his Advisory Group on Energy and Climate Change met with members of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's high level advisory group on climate change. You can read the report of the conference here. You can also find the Indian National Climate Action Plan and the Indian "Climate Challenge" response to it here.
World Bank and Sustainability
The World Bank's internal review body has noted the need for progress in the way the Bank considers environmental factors in its work. Read the report here.

New on the international policy front

What happened at the latest climate talks in Bonn?
At the G8? Get analysis of the latter from CAFOD, Carbon Positive, Oxfam, Tearfund

New on the national policy front

The "Green New Deal" group, which includes Andrew Simms, Ann Pettifor, Caroline Lucas, Charles Secrett, Colin Hines, Jeremy Leggett, Larry Elliott, Richard Murphy and Tony Juniper, released a report entitled "A Green New Deal: Joined-up policies to solve the triple crunch of the credit crisis, climate change and high oil prices." The report calls for investment in renewables, the creation of "green collar" jobs, "reining in reckless aspects of the financial sector but making low-cost capital available to fund the UK's green economic shift," and "building a new alliance between environmentalists, industry, agriculture, and unions to put the interests of the real economy ahead of those of footloose finance." You can download the report here.
A new book called "The Limits to Travel: How far will you go?" by David Metz, formerly Chief Scientist for the Dept of Transport, questions the sustainability of the way we think about travel and makes suggestions for improvements.
New on the personal action/lifestyle front
measuring our impact . . . and taking steps
Have a look at Operation Noah's "No Fly Pledge," (family emergencies and business travel can be excepted). If you want hard data on the amounts of CO2 released by flying, use the ICAO Carbon Emissions Calculator to work it out.

If you'd like to get better feedback on your home energy use, why not try the Environmental Change Institute's new tool, i-measure.

Resources on the Millennium Development Goals

Maranda — Tue, 29 May 2007 22:34:06 +0100

Basic Introductions to the MDGs

Briefing pack on the Millennium Development Goals (Micah UK, 2007)

Worship resources on the MDGs

Weekly reflections from the Micah campaign
Millennium prayer (Center of Concern)
Prayer service (Sisters of Mercy)
Evening prayer for Advent with prayers for the end of global poverty (Episcopal Public Policy Network)

Assessing progress on the MDGs

Indicators for Monitoring the MDGs -- Definitions, rationale, concepts and sources (UNDP)
Progress Reports (UNSTATS, 2005, 2006)
Reports of the Secretary General (UN)

More coming soon!

Resources on Debt

Maranda — Sat, 26 May 2007 10:55:54 +0100

This is a selective list. More resources can be found via ELDIS and through the Choike "external debt" page as well as from individual agencies and coalitions.

Basic Introductions to Debt Issues

"The World Can't Wait for Debt Cancellation" is an accessible powerpoint presentation that reflects the status quo as of 2007.

"Top Line" information about the G8 debt deal and its implementation through 2007 (Eurodad, 2007), an accessible 2 page pdf giving a fine overview of the basics, is also a good entrance point to the present situation.

There is also a lot of good introductory material in "Jubilee Worship" and the Jubilee Congregations Handbook (see below) -- all of it compiled with specific reference to churches. Like the accessible and thorough "Rough Guide to Debt," (CAFOD, 2002) however, much of it doesn't reflect the most recent realities.

Theological and Worship Resources

"Development Matters" Linked Lectionary -- links lectionary readings to development issues, including debt. Archive, with subject index.
The JDC worship resources page contains
- "Jubilee Worship," a compendium including
  - materials for preparation (announcements, bulletin notes and thoughts for creating worship)
  - an introduction to set the theological context
  - facts and stories about the impact of debt
  - an exploration of Jubilee
  - a reading from Leviticus 25 with a litany to follow
  - a Jubilee sermon (by Bono)
  - prayers

"Praying in Public Places: A Pilgrimage for Our Time ," a prayer pilgrimage that invites Christians to walk to local places such as hospitals or surgeries, schools and banks to reflect on/pray about debt and the impact it has on access to essential services.

"Jubilee Congregations Handbook" (Jubilee USA, 2005) This resource offered everything a [US] church needed to engage with the campaign in 2005. The fact that it was written before the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative means that some of its background information is now outdated. But the liturgical/theological material remains very helpful. It includes:

CAFOD offers a variety of prayers on debt relief.

Church Statements Online

Joint Letter from Seventeen Faith Leaders on Debt (2007) -- pdf of a short, clear letter urging further reform of the debt relief process from leaders including the Abp of York, Gen'l Sec'y of the Baptist Union, the Moderators of the Free Churches and the URC, and the Director of the EA.
Church of England General Synod Misc 640 -- "Drop the Debt: Towards a New Deal on Debt" and July 2001 Synod debates on development and debt, which include some fine contributions from a variety of people.
URC General Assembly: Address to the Throne 2002 -- on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee reaffirms the URC's support for jubilee campaigning on debt relief and asks the government to progress the issue. To find a wide range of URC comments on the Church's commitment to debt relief, go to the United Reformed Church website and type Jubilee 2000 into the "search" box.

The MDRI

"Top Line" information about the G8 debt deal and its implementation through 2007 (Eurodad, 2007) -- accessible 2 page pdf giving a fine overview of the basics
Multilateral Debt: One Step Forward, How Many Back? (Eurodad, 2007) More detailed summary of the agreement and some of the challenges surrounding its implementation and the next stages.
G8 Debt Deal One Year On: What Happened and What Next? (Eurodad, 2006)
CAFOD submission to the International Development Select Committee (CAFOD, 2005) -- Brief (3 page) statement advocating a human development approach to debt sustainability and taking issue with aspects of eligibility for receiving debt relief and increased aid under the MDRI.
Loose Ends (JDC and Jubilee USA, 2005) -- an analysis of what the World Bank/IMF needed to resolve at the annual meetings in order to deliver the G8 debt deal.
G8 Debt Deal: What the Countries Will Really Get (Debt Relief International, 2005) -- A technical analysis of the deal's functioning and its impact on a country by country basis.
What about Us? Debt and the Countries the G8 Left Behind (Christian Aid, 2005) -- Critiques the limited scope of the G8 deal, calls for a fairer and more transparent process for debt relief, and urges debtor governments to emphasise the illegitimate nature of many debts, be more assertive in negotiations with creditors, and reduce their reliance on loans

World Bank and IMF Conditionality

Cut the Strings (JDC, with support from Action Aid, CAFOD, Christian Aid and WDM, 2006)
Kicking the Habit: How the World Bank and IMF are still addicted to attaching economic policy conditions to aid (Oxfam, 2006) -- with a focus on the experience of Mali
Tightening the Chains or Cutting the Strings (JDC with research sponsored by a broad coalition, 2006)

Debt and the MDGs

To Pay or to Develop -- Debt Sustainability Handbook (Erlassjahr.de/Eurodad, 2006) -- argues for debt sustainability criteria to be based on capacity to meet the MDGs.
Beyond HIPC: Debt Cancellation and the Millennium Development Goals (Oxfam, 2005) -- a post G8 analysis that calls for debt relief to be linked to capacity to meet MDGs
In the Balance JDC, Action Aid and Christian Aid, 2005 -- why debts need to be cancelled so that countries can meet the MDGs.
The Unbreakable Link (JDC and nef, 2002) -- an analysis as of 2002 of countries' progress through the HIPC process, together with an estimate of their likely progress on the MDGs.

Debt and Particular Regions/Countries

If not now, when? JDC and All Party Parliamentary Group on HIPCs, 2005 -- recommends debt relief as necessary for a strong, prospeous Africa

A Case for Debt Relief for Kenya (Justice and Peace Commission, St Paul's Church, Nairobi University, 2005) -- argues that Kenya's debt burden should be relieved as much of it is illegitimate, it is a major factor promoting dependence and impeding development, and most of the burden relates to interest not principal

Zambia after the HIPC "Surgery" and the Completion Point (Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, 2006 ) -- A clear overview of the impact of the HIPC and MDRI on Zambia that also makes recommendations on the process for further debt cancellation and on the Zambian government's strategy for contracting new loans.

Comments from Antonio Gumende, Mozambique's High Commissioner to the UK (2005) -- brief statement of impact of debt relief on Mozambique

Governance

How to fit 27 elephants in a single chair (Eurodad, 2007) -- Suggests progressive positions European governments might take on reform at the World Bank and IMF.

Debt Sustainability, Transparency of Process and New Lending

Debt Sustainability or Defensive Deterrence? (Eurodad, 2007) -- argues that the World Bank's plan to penalise countries who borrow on non-concessional terms from commercial banks or new sovereign lenders (ie China) places developing countries in a dilemma because the lack of sufficient concessional aid within the traditional system simultaneously requires them to seek new lenders
Preventing New Cycles of Debt (CIDSE, 2007) -- argues that policy failures in the G7/G8 and IFI initiatives underlie the failure to find a holistic solution for debt and suggests processes that could help improve the situation and prevent future debt cycles.
To Pay or to Develop -- Debt Sustainability Handbook (Erlassjahr.de/Eurodad, 2006) -- argues for debt sustainability criteria to be based on capacity to meet the MDGs.
The New World Bank/IMF Debt Sustainability Framework: A Human Development Assessment (CIDSE, Center of Concern, 2006) -- comprehensive, often technical, assessment of the framework based on the experience of numerous countries, arguing on the basis of Catholic social teaching that a human development perspective is necessary
World Bank and IMF Review of the Debt Sustainability Framework and the Implications of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (Eurodad, 2006) and Still Missing the Point: Unpacking the New World Bank/IMF Debt Sustainability Initiative (Eurodad, 2005) -- Eurodad's critique of the framework and the internal analysis thereof, looks at the implications of the framework for countries' ability to develop. Pre-MDRI, but the analysis of the debt sustainability framework itself remains valid.
To lend or to grant: Critique of the IMF/World Bank Approach to Debt Sustainability (CAFOD, 2004)

Repudiation and other options

The Repudiation Option: Southern Government Debt Strategies (Christian Aid, 2007 ) -- argues that Southern governments should refuse to pay their debts in order to free resources for pro-poor human development

Debt Campaigning

From Jubilee 2000 to Make Poverty History -- Building a New Future for the World's Poor (Door newspaper, 2005)

A Timeline in Reports

Debt is unusual among the issues that we cover in that there has actually been a fair amount of change over the past decade. The section below, therefore, offers some "historical" background to the more recent papers above, showing "where we have come from" . . . and where the current plans and programmes reflect (or in the case of governance, conditionality, and transparency of process, have yet to reflect) the proposals put forward in the Jubilee campaigns.

2005

Do the Deal. The G7 Must Act Now to Cancel Poor Country Debts (Action Aid UK, CAFOD, Oxfam GB, Feb 2005) -- a paper submitted before the G7 finance ministers meeting, setting out the case for debt relief and making recommendations for how it should be accomplished.

2004

Fool's Gold: The Case for 100% Multilateral Debt Cancellation for the Poorest Countries (Action Aid UK, CAFOD, Oxfam GB, 2004) -- a good summary of the case for debt relief, looking in depth at five specific reasons for debt cancellation, exploring sources for financing debt relief, and calling for an end to harmful conditionalities.

2003

Did the G8 Drop the Debt? (Jubilee Research, CAFOD, JDC) -- an analysis of what had happened in the five years since the Birmingham chain, and what needed yet to be done

2002

A Joint Submission to the World Bank and IMF Review of HIPC and Debt Sustainability (CAFOD, Christian Aid, Oxfam GB, Eurodad, 2002) -- wide-ranging discussion of debt issues as they then stood

2001

From Debt to Poverty Eradication: What Role for Poverty Reduction Strategies? (CIDSE-Caritas, 2001) -- a lengthy (but with a good summary) paper analysing the strengths and weaknesses of the PRSP from the perspective of Catholic social teaching.

2000

Still Waiting: Time for a New Deal on Third World Debt (Christian Aid, 2000)

1999

Beyond Cologne, Towards Jubilee (CIDSE-Caritas, 1999) -- The Catholic agencies' clear, succinct (4 pg) response to the Cologne G8 initiatives.

Some Resources on Fair Trade

Maranda — Tue, 08 May 2007 10:40:03 +0100

Three Books to Read

50 Reasons to Buy Fair Trade. John Madeley and Miles Litvinoff, Pluto Press, 2007. To order, click here.
An accessible journey through some of the reasons why we need Fair Trade -- and how we can support it.

Fair Trade: Market-Driven Ethical Consumption. Alex Nicholls and Charlotte Opal. Sage Publications, 2005. To order, click here.
An academic consideration of Fair Trade's origins, current manifestations and future.

Markets, Fair Trade and the Kingdom of God, ed Peter Johnson and Christopher Catherwood.Traidcraft and Regnum Books, 2001.
Essays combining theological and developmental perspectives, primarily by key figures from Traidcraft.

Copies of these books may be borrowed from CCOW.

Online Resources to Download

Parish Magasine Articles

Download the Keswick and District Fairtrade Campaign's 2009 Fairtrade parish magasine article at the bottom of this page. Scroll all the way down to the end, and then click on Keswick Fairtrade Article.

Basic Introductions

Fairtrade Explained (Fairtrade Foundation)
Introducing Fairtrade (FLO International) -- designed for producers, so more depth
A Better Deal: The FAIRTRADE Mark Explained (Fairtrade Foundation)
Fifty Years of Fair Trade: A Brief History of the Fair Trade Movement (EFTA and IFAT)
The Fair Trade Movement: Parameters, Issues and Future Research (Geoff Moore) -academic introductory paper looking at Fair Trade from a business/business ethics perspective. Comprehensive and comprehensible.
Why Fairtrade? (FLO International) -- brief summary of aims and objectives

Bible Study, Prayer and Theology

"Fairtrade and Faith" (Fr Rob Esdailles) -- theological reflection on Fair Trade
Ideas for Worship (Fairtrade Fortnight -- Tea focus), Harvest Resources, and Prayers, Poems and Reflections (Traidcraft)
Prayers (CCOW -- download below)
Sketch ("Praying for Change") (Traidcraft)

Facts and Figures, Case Studies and Academic Papers

Facts and Figures for Fair Trade in Europe: 1995, 1998, 2001 and 2006 (EFTA)
Fair Trade in Europe 2005 (FLO, IFAT, NEWS, EFTA) -- facts and figures on Fair Trade in 25 countries
Producer Profiles from Transfair USA -- a series of 1 page pdfs profiling different producer groups
The background research for Oxfam's coffee report, Mugged, offers several case studies (Oxfam)
Making Trade Work for the Producers: Fifteen Years of Fairtrade Labelled Coffee in the Netherlands (Max Havelaar Foundation) -- comprehensive overview of Fairtrade labelled coffee, with some very good producer case studies
One Cup at a Time: Poverty Alleviation and Fair Trade in Latin America (Colorado State Fair Trade Research Group) -- case studies of Fairtrade coffee impacts in Latin America
Thriving in a Hostile Environment: Fairtrade's Role as a Positive Mechanism for Disadvantaged Producers (Alex Nicholls)

Church Activities

Promoting Fair Trade -- Events that Engage (CCOW -- download below)
Promoting Fair Trade -- Making Products Available (CCOW -- download below)

Fair Trade and Environmental Issues

Environmental Benefits of Fairtrade Coffee, Cocoa and Tea (Transfair USA) -- A4 sheet
Environmental Benefits of Fairtrade Fruit (Transfair USA) -- A4 sheet
Fair Trade and Food Miles: Should we buy food from the other side of the world? (Wokingham Fair Trade Campaign) -- A5 leaflet advocating a local first and Fairtrade if imported approach
"Fair Miles"? The concept of "food miles" through a sustainable development lens (IIED)

Fair Trade and Wider Trade Issues

Fairness in Trade (UK Food Group) -- report examines how one could extend the concept of fair trading throughout the retail sector

Information about Fairtrade Products and Availability

List of Fairtrade Product Categories (CCOW -- download below)
Fairtrade Retail Products and Availability (Fairtrade Foundation) -- the "long list" -- comprehensive, if slightly daunting
Out of Home Directories of Registered Distributors for cafes etc (Fairtrade Foundation)
For local information, go to our Where to Buy Fair Trade locally page.

Resources Focused on Specific Products

Bananas (for a far more complete listing, visit BananaLink)

European Trade Rules and the Threat to Fairtrade Bananas (Fairtrade Foundation)
Unpeeling the Banana Trade (Fairtrade Foundation)

Cocoa

Fair Trade Cocoa Backgrounder (Transfair USA) -- Basic facts for US campaigners
Fair Trade Cocoa Fast Facts (Transfair USA) -- Zingy facts to spice up your presentations
Monitoring Impact of Fair Trade Initiatives: A Case Study of Kuapa Kokoo and the Day Chocolate Company (Ronchi/TWIN)

Coffee

Fair Trade Coffee Backgrounder (Transfair USA) -- Basic facts for US campaigners
Fair Trade Coffee Fast Facts (Tranfair USA) -- Zingy facts to spice up your presentations
Making Trade Work for the Producers: Fifteen Years of Fairtrade Labelled Coffee in the Netherlands (Max Havelaar Foundation) -- comprehensive overview of Fairtrade labelled coffee, with some very good producer case studies
Mugged : Poverty in Your Coffee Cup (Oxfam) . The background research for Mugged , including several good case studies and sets of interviews, is also available on Oxfam's website.
One Cup at a Time: Poverty Alleviation and Fair Trade in Latin America (Colorado State Fair Trade Research Group) -- case studies of Fairtrade coffee impacts in Latin America

Cotton

"Follow the Thread" (ft.com; if you do not have access to the FT online, contact CCOW to borrow the article)

Roses

Fairtrade Roses -- Questions and Answers (Fairtrade Foundation)

Articles Critiquing Fair Trade or Aspects Thereof -- and Responses to Them

"Good Food?" Economist, 7 December 2006.

Alan Beattie's "Follow the Thread" not only presents a case study in cotton, but also offers a balanced assessment of some of these common criticisms of Fair Trade.

Photographs courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation, www.fairtrade.org.uk

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Some Resources on Trade

Maranda — Fri, 04 May 2007 09:17:03 +0100

If you want to download some resources to help you understand the trade issues and campaigns, here are some suggestions.

General Trade Issues

Rigged Rules and Double Standards: Trade, Globalisation and the Fight against Poverty (Oxfam, 2002) -- the basis for the Make Trade Fair campaign. At times controversial, particularly in its emphasis on market access (read the debates, helpfully provided by Oxfam), but very influential.

Trade for Life: Making Trade Work for Poor People (Christian Aid, 2001) -- Mark Curtis' book laid the foundations for Christian Aid's trade campaigning. Again controversial, again influential. Available on loan from CCOW.

Trade Justice: A Christian Response to Global Poverty (Christian Aid/Church of England, 2004) -- briefer than the above; a summary of the rationale for the Trade Justice campaign in a Christian context

Trade and Theology

Trade Justice: A Christian Response to Global Poverty (Christian Aid/Church of England, 2004)

Lifting the Burden, Weighting the Rules (Christian Aid, 2003)

"When Trade Serves God's Justice: Biblical and Ethical Flashlights and Considerations" (Prof. Dr. Christoph Stückelberger /Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance, 2003) in the Briefing Papers section of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance website

Trading away Injustice: Tearfund Bible Study for home groups

Faith in the Balance is a resource that CCOW produced before the Cancun WTO Meetings in 2003. While some of the issues it presents have moved on, many are -- unfortunately -- still the same. You can download the resource below.

The Trade Justice Campaign

The TJM's Founding Statement is a helpful summary of the movement's goals.

Further updates on goals at particular times can be found on the Briefings page of the TJM website.

Specific Trade Issues:

EPAs

Introductions to EPAs

EPAs Campaign Briefing (Tearfund, 2006) -- 2 sides of A4 resume of EPAs and Tearfund's concerns

Economic Partnership Agreements: A Tearfund Policy Briefing (Tearfund, 2006) -- longer (6 page) brief giving a good basic resume of EPAs and the issues around them

The Real Costs and Benefits of Economic Partnership Agreements (Christian Aid, Tearfund, Traidcraft, 2007) -- 9 page brief describing EPAs and assessing potential costs and benefits to developing countries

UK Government position on EPAs

EPAs and Particular Countries/Regions

Much to Lose, Little to Gain: Assessing EPAs from the Perspective of Malawi (Tearfund, 2007)

EPAs through the Lens of Kenya (Traidcraft/ECO News Africa, 2005)

Trade in Agriculture

The Development Dimension of the Agriculture Negotiations (South Centre, 2007) -- good, somewhat technical 8-page summary of developing country interests and concerns. See also the list of papers in this area at http://www.southcentre.org/publications/publist_issue_area_TradeInAgric_index.htm.

A Depreciating Asset, Too High a Price (Action Aid and CAFOD, 2006) -- discussion of why the EU decided to end export subsidies by 2013, what the offer is worth, and whether developing countries should make concessions in response

Special Products in the Doha Round (CAFOD/South Centre, 2007)

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Resources on Climate Change

Maranda — Fri, 04 May 2007 08:49:18 +0100

Some Books to Read

Policy, Science, Lifestyle Change and Theology: Books with a Christian Perspective

A Moral Climate: The Ethics of Global Warming. Michael Northcott, Christian Aid/DLT, 2007.

Caring for Creation: Biblical and theological perspectives. Edited by Sarah Tillett, forward by John Stott - contributors include: Eugene Peterson, John Houghton, Sam Berry, Chris Wright. A valuable contribution that links theology and practical work.

Cherishing the Earth: How to Care for God's Creation. Margot and Martin Hodson, Lion 2008. An engaging look at the theology and practice of creation care.

Christianity, Climate Change and Sustainable Living. Nick Spencer and Robert White, SPCK 2007. A thorough look by two experts at the realities of climate change, Biblical teaching on sustainability, and how Christians might implement those teachings in a time of global warming.

Eggs and Ashes. Ruth Burgess and Chris Polhill, Wild Goose Publications 2004. Focuses on the environment over the weeks of Lent, with beautiful prayers, hymns and ideas.

Global Warming: The challenge to all of us. Sean McDonagh, Columbia Press, 2007. A good description of climate change and its predicted impacts, together with a call for leadership from the Catholic Church in response to the impending crisis.

How Many Lightbulbs Does It Take to Change a Christian? and Don't Stop at the Lights! Leading Your Church through a Changing Climate. Claire Foster and David Shreeve, Church House Publishing, 2007 and 2008. "Lightbulbs" offers hints for small changes that can make a difference;"Don't Stop" takes the message further and encourages churches to engage wholeheartedly in response to climate change.

Jesus and the Earth. James Jones, SPCK 2003. James Jones scans the New Testament for new insights on the links between Jesus and Creation.

Planetwise: Dare to Care for God's World. Dave Bookless, IVP, 2008.

When Enough Is Enough: A Christian Framework for Environmental Sustainability. Ed R J Berry, IVP, 2007. Experts from a wide range of fields examine the concept of sustainability. Contributors include Sir John Houghton, Donald Hay, Sir Ghillean Prance, Dave Bookless, Margot Hodson, John Wibberley, Sir Brian Heap and Flavio Comin.

Policy, Science and Lifestyle Change

The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review. Sir Nicholas Stern, CUP, 2007. "Costs" the impact of taking action -- or not doing so -- on climate change. Highly influential.

Heat: How We Can Stop the Planet Burning. George Monbiot, Penguin, 2007. How could we cut emissions by 90% by 2030? Monbiot offers some potential answers. Passionate and principled.

How to Live a Low-Carbon Life: The Individuals Guide to Stopping Climate Change. Chris Goodall, Earthscan, 2007. Practical, challenging, thorough . . . and fun. A very useful guide to lifestyle change.

Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet. Mark Lynas, Fourth Estate, 2007 or HarperPerennial, 2008. We've all heard of potential global warming of 1 to 6 degrees celsius. But what do those temperature increases actually mean for life on earth? Lynas offers a picture, degree by degree. . . .

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