Rowan Williams urges PM to provide prophetic leadership at UN Summit

Now that David Cameron has confirmed his attendance at the UN climate summit of world leaders in New York, Christian Aid’s Chair, Rowan Williams, has urged him to deliver on his promise to lead ‘The Greenest Government Ever’ and provide a prophetic vision to protect the planet.

Writing in today’s Guardian he says: "The moral case for action is clear. It is those suffering the most who carry the least historic responsibility for our situation. The wealthier industrialised nations have the power to act and secure a safe world for today’s poorest and tomorrow’s children.

"Christian Aid is soon to publish a report by Susan Durber examining the links between theology and climate change, in which it will be made very plain that the call for climate justice is something that echoes clearly the challenges found in the biblical prophets to a complacent and short-sighted society.

"As Dr Durber says: 'Prophets are sometimes unpopular and can be ridiculed by those who have much to lose if people really were to open their eyes. But they are those who consistently, and without fear, speak what they believe to be the truth."

Dr Durber is the Theology Advisor at Christian Aid.

In his Guardian article Dr Williams highlights the recent scientific research and economic developments which clearly show action to tackle global warming makes financial sense.

He adds that political will is beginning to reflect this: 'What is needed from our politicians is leadership that takes the long view and breaks free of the tight cycle of calculated electoral advantage – a calculation that often misses the issues that most directly affect everyone’s wellbeing.

"The climate summit in New York offers the perfect opportunity for our leaders to show that there is indeed a sensitivity to the kind of prophetic vision that rouses us from complacency, and a will to secure the future of our children and grandchildren."