UK Christians to Discuss Climate Change

According to Christian Today,

The Ecumenical World Development Consultation 2007 will take place at the Hayes Conference Centre from 21 to 23 March 2007 under the theme “Lifestyles”. Delegates will discuss the impact of the lifestyle choices of those living in affluent countries like the UK on the lives of those living in the Global South.

The conference is aimed to educate Christians of all levels of knowledge on climate change and sustainable living and a number of workshops will be led by eco experts including Paula Clifford from Christian Aid, David Pickering from Operation Noah, Jo Rathbone from Eco-Congregations, and Benedict Southworth of the World Development Movement.

They will also address the impact of our lifestyle choices on climate change and explore the possibility of Gospel-based alternative lifestyles.
“This year’s theme emerges from the growing awareness within the churches of our choices’ impact on the world, and addresses the relationship between care for creation and care for humanity,” said organisers.

IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Power and Light. Visit us at www.irejn.org.

UK Jewish Community Launches Environmental Movement

Today's European Jewish Press reported that

The Board of Deputies of British Jews together with the Noah Project have launched a new green initiative with the support of the Environment minister. The Big Green Jewish website was launched at a ceremony, timed to coincide with Tu B’Shevat or Jewish Arbor Day, in London by David Miliband MP, Secretary of State for the Environment.
The Noah Project is the UK’s only Jewish ecological group, established to promote education, celebration and action for the environment within the Jewish community. Designed to promote environmentalism through an engagement with biblical, rabbinic and contemporary Jewish sources, offers a rich resource of inspirational and practical information. Its user-friendly and interactive format offers examples of good practice by individuals, synagogues, organisations, schools and businesses. Commenting on the project Miliband said: “It is a great pleasure to be associated with the launch of this innovative and useful initiative. Climate change is one of the biggest crises we are facing. The Big Green Jewish Website is a prime example of the valuable role that faith communities and their rich traditions can play in tackling this challenge.”

IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Power and Light. Visit us at www.irejn.org.

Christian Carbon Reduction Campaign in the UK

The UK publication Christian Today is reporting that the UK organization Christian Aid is spearheading a campaign to urge corporations to commit to carbon emission reductions.

Noting that climate change is the most pressing issue for millions of the world’s poorest people, Christian Aid called on individuals and churches across the UK to sign up to its new ‘Climate Changed’ campaign and send postcards to the three companies demanding they publish the true extent of their carbon emissions, and commit to a 5 per cent annual reduction.
As part of the campaign, Christian Aid will be calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to implement mandatory reporting standards across UK business. The campaign follows an extensive new report the charity published, which reveals that almost 200 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions are not being reported by top companies on the London Stock Exchange.

IREJN is Connecticut's Interfaith Power and Light. Visit us at www.irejn.org.

Making Money from Climate Change

Investment banks, with the assistance of environmental groups and academics, are looking into ways to re-direct investments to projects that are less affected by or that help curb climate change, according to Reuters UK.

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2007 Will Likely be Warmest Year Ever

Global Warming and El Nino make it likely that 2007 will be the warmest year ever, surpassing the previous record set in 1998. The ten warmest years ever have been within the past twelve years, according to this article from the Reuters news service.

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UK Debates Green Taxes

A story about the pros and cons of instituting so-called green taxes in the UK. Read about it here.