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Poland Climate Talks - Preparations for Katowice

  • Ellen Teague

COP24 is the informal name for the 24th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The COP meets annually, and COP24 will take place from 3-14 December 2018, in Katowice, Poland. Christian groups are preparing to lobby the talks for more serious climate action from the UK and other governments.

The recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report is a landmark for our planet, setting out just what is at stake if we breach 1.5C warming. For many years 2C was talked of as a 'safe' limit. It was only by the tireless work of those countries most at risk from climate change that 1.5C made it into the Paris agreement at all. But now it is clear that 2C is 'safe' for no one. It's also clear that we're on track to overshoot it. Nations' inadequate plans to tackle climate change would see us reaching 3C or 4C within the lifetime of today's children.

More severe weather, including heatwaves and hurricanes, make it clear: it's time to act on climate change. The Paris Agreement was a starting point but we have a long way to go. This December in Poland, countries will negotiate the crucial next steps to keep the Paris climate deal on the rails.

Climate Pilgrimage

A Climate Pilgrimage to Katowice, which set off from the Vatican on 4 October, is now in its sixth week and crossing Slovenia. It is organised by the Global Catholic Climate Movement. There has been a lot of rain in recent days, and local people say it should already be snowing at this time of year. Instead, many leaves remain on the trees and flowers continue to bloom. The group has given presentations and spoken to the press while on their journey. See: http://climatepilgrimage.com/2018/11/

CAFOD at Katowice

CAFOD's delegation to Katowice will include 30 campaigners from around England and Wales. CAFOD says: "This will be an opportunity to learn about the decision-making process, hear from other campaigners across Europe on living sustainably and campaigning on climate change, reflect on partner stories and bear witness with others for change. We now need to make sure world leaders follow through with the promises they've made in Paris, and make sure they go further, and faster when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions."
CAFOD video of the CAFOD delegation at the Paris Climate Talks: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L96WIDVozi0

NJPN Biddings Prayers

The National Justice and Peace Network Environment Group suggests the following Bidding Prayers for parish newsletters. They were written by Deolinda Eltringham for her own parish of Our Lady Immaculate and St Andrew in Hitchen:

For Sunday 18th, Christ the King and 1st Advent Sunday

"Dear God, as preparations are being made for the 24th United Nations climate summit in Katowice, Poland during December, we pray that you may generously send the Holy Spirit to all representatives of climate victims, governments, and many other organisations, who will take part; so that they bring to the conference a spirit of truth, honesty, and understanding of the sacrifices necessary for a safer future, and a willingness to face them responsibly."

Then on the second Sunday of Advent while the Conference is underway

"Holy Spirit, we pray that you will unsettle, mould, shape, and fill with wisdom, patience, zeal all the delegates and supporting staff taking part in the 24th United Nations climate summit in Poland, including the UK, so that ambitious commitments may be reached in the care for our common home to sustain all of creation today and in the future on behalf of the voiceless, vulnerable communities, future generations, wildlife, and natural resources".

Resources for Advent

Global Healing is a film-based event for parishes, groups and individuals. It will inform, challenge and equip people to engage with Pope Francis' vital call to Care for our Common Home. See: www.ourcommonhome.co.uk/

Event: Campaign Against Climate Change - Rally and March in London on Saturday 1 December - www.campaigncc.org/together


For further information about the Katowice Climate talks see: www.cop24.katowice.eu/




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