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Bishop to lead ecumenical prayers on climate change


Christians who care about climate justice will be among the thousands expected to march in London tomorrow on the eve of critical international climate change talks in Nairobi. They will join the march leading to the I Count rally at 1pm in Trafalgar Square organized by the Stop Climate Chaos coalition. The Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Richard Chartres will preach at a Service of Challenge, Commitment and Blessing at Grosvenor Chapel, 24 Audley Street, London. The service at 11.15am is organized by Operation Noah which was set up by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and Christian Ecology Link. The bishop will lead the congregation to the rally at 12 noon in Grosvenor Square, ahead of the march to the Stop Climate Chaos gathering in Trafalgar Square. The Stern Review on the Economics of Climate Change published this week set out the risks of climate change for the world's poorest and most vulnerable people. Countries like Bangladesh face increased disease, floods and famine. The Bishop of Bangladesh has sent a message to be read at the Operation Noah service. The Rt Revd Bishop Michael S. Baroi warns: "One very simple truth about Global Warming is this, that it will spare nobody, however rich, mighty and powerful we think we are. He continues: "Mr Tony Blair, the Prime Minister of the UK once said that without proper action now, the average global temperatures would rise by two degrees Celsius. Scientists estimate that the subsequent rise in the sea level would be enough to swamp a large proportion of Bangladesh in 30/40 years time. It would be a serious catastrophe for my country and for the whole region if much of the land in Bangladesh disappears under the sea. "I become frightened to think that my grand children (when I touch them) will have no place to live on this planet earth. I really want to be sure that my grandchildren, and their children after them, will be able to enjoy the beauty of my country that I have enjoyed, and be able to have enough land to live, and enough land for food. May I therefore humbly plead to you all to continue the fight against Global Warming for the sake of my country, my people and for the world at large. The UK Government and the people should raise their voice in such a way that the people in the USA. China and India hear them and pursue their Government to sit together to find some solutions to the problem." Methodist Church Secretary for International Affairs, Steve Hucklesby will be among speakers at the Operation Noah service. He said: "The Stern Review stresses the need for strong action within the next 10 to 20 years. All countries have a part to play but developed countries, who are responsible for the bulk of emissions today, have a duty to lead the way. Operation Noah urges everyone to commit themselves to tackle climate change. We need to take practical actions to reduce emissions such as switching to green electricity but must also lobbying politicians to act." Source: CTBI

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