Churches call for action at Climate Summit

ACT Alliance

Source: Conference of European Churches

As states gathered at the United Nations in New York for the Climate Action Summit, taking place this week, the ACT Alliance, Lutheran World Federation and World Council of Churches, which together represent 580 million Christians globally, strengthened their collective call for climate justice and immediate action. A media statement said: "As people of faith, we call on the nations gathered at this summit to act ambitiously to address the impact of climate change, and to work with renewed vigour to keep global temperature rise below 1.5C. The time to act is now. Our care for God's creation cannot afford more delay."

The Churches said the world is facing the impacts of climate change at an increasing pace, escalating humanitarian needs, and leading to economic free-fall and trauma borne of violent natural disasters: Hurricane Dorian, Cyclone Idai, the Amazon fires, flooding in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, drought in the Horn of Africa. There will be "a next disaster," and the most vulnerable people - those who have done the least to contribute to climate change - are likely to face the brunt of its impact.

Member churches, organisations, and communities were urged to rise to this most important challenge of our time, to stand with those "who stand to lose everything as climate change ravages their lives and livelihoods". There was a call for action by developed nations, to increase their ambition in meeting emissions targets, in providing financing, and in focusing on adaptation and mitigation for those most affected by climate change.

Links:

www.ceceurope.org/news

Pope Francis sends a message to the Climate Action Summit 2019 www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJffdtfWIDg