People’s Climate Mobilisation

Operation Noah is joining with many other organisations to call on Christians and churches to take part in an unprecedented global day of action on 21 September to demand action, not words, from our world leaders on climate change. There is a march in London plus other events across the UK. This is the weekend before the landmark UN Climate Summit in New York where world leaders will gather to set out their ambitions ahead of the international climate negotiations this year and next. Faith leaders from across the globe will also gather in New York ahead of the summit and will deliver a statement about the importance of a just outcome. We need your help to make this the biggest climate mobilisation event in history.

There are many ways that you can get involved, including distributing posters and fliers; promoting on social media; signing the petition to David Cameron; participating in For the Love of; organising a local event; or prop making for the march. Read more details here.

Come along to the volunteers' meeting this Saturday 6 September

Venue: St Johns Waterloo, 11am to 12pm, followed by a leafleting session across London. Contact fatima@avaaz.org for details.

Pray and Fast for the Climate

Please join us in praying and fasting on the first day of every month for a meaningful and just global climate agreement at the UN talks. This initiative builds on the Fast for the Climate movement that began at last year’s UN climate talks. Christians owe it to future generations and those already impacted by climate change, to respond. We trust that God will use our prayers to influence politicians, build a powerful platform for change, strengthen our campaigning and inspire others.

There has never been a more crucial time for us to pray together in response to the climate crisis and to make a stand for climate justice. You can get involved by joining or running your own prayer events on the first of every month. We have resources available, including an article for your church news. Read more here.

Hope for the Future: Urgent action required

We are encouraging individuals and churches to write to your MPs now to urge them to set realistic climate change policies in their party manifestos ahead of the next general election in 2015. The party manifestos are being drawn up this autumn ahead of the Party Conferences. An MP or candidate will usually act if they get at least 10 letters on the same subject. See Hope for the Future for a sample letter and more information.

Environmental activism from a faith perspective

Operation Noah Board Members Ruth Jarman and Siobhan Grimes spoke to a group of seventy at the recent Greenbelt festival on environmental activism from a faith perspective. Siobhan spoke of her experiences of campaigning for fossil fuel divestment and working with the Bright Now campaign and Ruth spoke about her experiences of taking part in anti-fracking protests. They focused on the importance of friendship and Christian community in upholding and sustaining activism.

Workshop participants, including many children, took part in discussion groups and decorated Polar bear postcards calling for church divestment. These will be sent to the relevant decision-making bodies within the Methodist and Anglican Church. There was a lively Q&A session and positive feedback from participants, and we hope that new friendships were struck up.