One weekend in October hundreds of churches around the UK focused on climate change. Christian Aid set up the initiative to make people aware that climate change affects the poorest communities – even though they are not the cause. All Saints welcomed Elizabeth Peredo, a Bolivian climate change campaigner (and Christian Aid partner) and Jessica Hall, Christian Aid’s Berkshire representative.
Elizabeth spoke about the impact climate change is having in Bolivia: melting glaciers and forcing people to leave the countryside and move to the towns (‘climate change migrants’). Jessica reminded us that God’s creation is good but we need to live simply and not abuse our position, especially if as rich nations.
The messages were reinforced by a performance by youth theatre group, StageFright, demonstrating the perils of over-consumption and the voiceless workers who produce our goods, often with no legal rights or protection. Later we walked to the front to sprinkle water on a painting of our earth to show that what we do has an impact. The running paint and blurred imagery symbolised how we exploit creation for our own selfish purposes.
We will sign a petition to send to our local MP, John Redwood (invited to the service but unable to attend) but the real challenge is how we can live with a reduced carbon footprint and thereby support – and love - our neighbours in the developed nations. (Peter Barrett)
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