The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, the head of the Church of England and spiritual leader of the World’s 85 million Anglicans today put forward the Anglican position on how the Church is reacting to the issue of climate change.
The Church, which is presently stepping up its environment programme, put out a statement that they ‘believe that responding to climate change is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation’. They also noted on that they had created an environmental campaign which exists ‘to enable the whole church to address – in faith, practice and mission – the issue of climate change’.
According to the Church of England, they have reacted to the issues facing the environment in a number of very practical ways, such as their ‘Big Switch’ campaign which resulted in 5500 churches transferring 100% to renewable energy sources.
They also noted the creation of 37 Diocesan Environment Officers to ensure their environmental projects operate smoothly as well as the creation of 850 plus so-called ‘eco-churches’.
Further, they are offering support and resources to parishes on environmental matters ranging from advice on solar panels to tree care.
“Reducing the causes of climate change is essential … It is a way to love our neighbour”
The Archbishop stated that he believed that “Reducing the causes of climate change is essential to the life of faith. It is a way to love our neighbour and to steward the gift of creation.”
One really neat and simple parish level campaign the Church has endorsed is a ‘Plastic-less Lent’. Forty days of avoiding single-use plastics or using as little plastic as possible to see if it can be a normal part of your lifestyle.
