Paris climate talks

Our prayers are focused urgently on the imminent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, which begins on 30 November. Co-vice-chair Chris Halliwell says: ‘Climate change is no longer an issue of peripheral significance, and faith communities are discovering that, as considerations of justice and ethics within the climate change debate take on a more prominent significance within multi-disciplinary conversations, their perspectives are increasingly being sought, and indeed valued. So are there grounds for hope? There is a genuine conviction that positive things are happening, and that COP21 will come to be seen as an important waypoint on the journey towards a more rapid and global uptake in planetary environmental responsibility.’ You can read more about COP21 on the Operation Noah website. We encourage all Operation Noah supporters to continue to pray for outcomes of hope at the Paris COP21.

Supporting COP21: share what you are doing

Christians around the world are taking action and praying for these vital talks. We know that many of our supporters are marching, praying and taking part in other supporting events. We want to help share what we are all doing, particularly so that people can meet up with fellow supporters. Please let us know and share what you are doing.
* On Facebook: we have set up an event page Supporting COP21.
* On Twitter: use the hashtag #ONCOP21.

Pilgrimage2Paris

Ahead of COP21, pilgrims are walking from London to Paris in an act of solidarity with those most affected by climate change. Two of our board members, Jean Leston and Giles Goddard, set off on the pilgrimage on 13 November, and Jean is continuing to Paris following the crossing from Newhaven. Jean says: ‘I am stepping out in faith to show my solidarity with the poorest and most vulnerable who will be hurt the worst by climate change – which is why we need a strong UN climate agreement now!’
It appeared uncertain, in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks, whether the pilgrims would be able to go all the way to Paris but, at the time of writing, the plan is that the pilgrimage will continue. You can follow progress on Twitter (#Pilgrimage2Paris) or by watching Jean’s video diaries on our YouTube channel: please share these with your friends.

Baked Alaska tour ends this month

The mammoth tour of Riding Lights’ Baked Alaska theatre production finishes this month, tying in as planned with the run-up to COP21. Dates in Mansfield, Leicester and Brighton are the ‘last chance to see’. We have been delighted with the response to the show, which has been running in the lead-up to COP21 in order to encourage greater engagement with the issues and lobbying of politicians. The company balanced humour and entertainment with a clear and hard-hitting message and the York Press reviewer summed it up accurately by saying that the play has a serious message ‘pushing through the laughter’ and that ‘the cast’s comedic antics deliver this important message through satire and metaphor with both humour and impact’. In this, Riding Lights have absolutely succeeded in fulfilling the challenging brief that we gave them.

To keep up to date with events, visit our Events page or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Until 28 November: Baked Alaska, Riding Lights Theatre Co. climate change drama UK tour
28 November: Berkshire Climate March
28 November: The People’s March for Climate, Justice and Jobs (Cardiff and Edinburgh)
29 November: The People’s March for Climate, Justice and Jobs (London, Newcastle, Belfast) http://operationnoah.org/news-events/the-peoples-march-for-climate-justice-and-jobs/
29 November: Advent Carol Service with Creation Care, London
30 November – 11 December: COP21, United Nations Climate Change Conference, Paris
5th December: Reading Climate Day

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