The nation appears to be gearing up for an early federal election, so I hope you’re preparing to advocate for sound climate policies! This is especially if you’re in a swinging seat, or in a seat with an elected representative who is lobbying against good policies. (See the dirty thirty.) Is that you? Especially then, we have a job to do!
The media is full of reminders of the urgency of the issue, the latest being the major coral bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef.
How do we communicate about climate change to people of faith in a way that they can hear us? What kinds of terms seem to appeal and motivate action? What language should we avoid? Communications experts like George Marshall have done the research.
What do you do during Lent, the 40 days leading up to Easter? For Christians, Lent is the time to remember the 40 days that Jesus spent in the Wilderness, facing challenge and temptation. It is a time to reflect on God’s purpose for our life.
In recent years, many Christians have adapted this noble tradition to become more mindful of – and reduce - their impacts on Creation.
After some rest in January, relieved that an agreement had finally been reached in Paris, the ARRCC Management Committee has met to sketch out next steps. The Paris outcome was achieved in large part because of the considerable pressure from so many people around the world. Now, the Agreement will be important for holding our political leaders accountable.
The agreement reached in Paris depends on political will, with countries setting their own climate action plans. So this is not a time to be complacent. If the decisions are to be implemented, the world will need to pick up the pace of change dramatically, and Australia will have to change quite markedly from the course it is on.
The Islamic world has released an historic Declaration to prepare the way for a robust treaty in Paris. The Declaration calls on the world’s 1.6 billion Muslims to do their part to eliminate dangerous greenhouse gas emissions and commit to renewable energy sources. It was drafted by academics and finalized at the International Islamic Climate Change Symposium held in Istanbul Aug. 17-18.
We did it! More than 140,000 people came together in 55 cities and towns across Australia. People of faith were visible and strong.
Here is text of our August letter as a response to the emissions reductions target announced by our government.
ARRCC has written to the Prime Minister in the lead up to the COP 21 climate talks, declaring that Australia should carry its weight.
Now is a good time to write in the lead-up to Paris. ARRCC provides a template that you can use.
