"Individual actions may seem insignificant but together the
small steps of many people can have an astonishing impact" from The
Call of Creation by Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and
Wales.
The way we live and the choices we make affect the lives of
others. We in the rich world continue daily to pollute the earth
and consume its finite resources. The world's poorest communities
often bear the brunt of climate change experiencing increased
droughts, floods and extreme weather.
Many of us have responded by trying to cut our energy use,
living more simply and supporting the campaigns to get a strong
Climate Change Act passed by our Government in 2008 - the first
such legal framework anywhere in the world.
2009 is a crucial year for an effective international climate
change deal as UN nations leaders will meet in Copenhagen in
December to decide on global action (following on from and
improving upon the Kyoto Treaty). Governments are in the process of
negotiating the contents of that crucial deal.
Supporters of Catholic agencies like Cafod are calling on their
leaders to act. Our government can take a lead within the EU.
We can help in several ways:
- Review our own lifestyles
- Show our government that we support action on climate change
and urge them to take an international lead - to start us off,
postcards to be sent to the Prime Minister will be available for
signing in the parish soon
- Join the Stop Climate Chaos Rally and Ecumenical Service in
London on 5 December
Visit the website http://www.cafod.org.uk/climatejustice for
more information and actions.
Cafod also takes practical steps on climate change - responding
to flood and drought emergencies, helping communities to prepare
for potential disasters and to protect their agriculture and
ecosystems.
Climate Change minister Ed Milliband reminds us, "Governments
alone won't achieve a climate change agreement. It needs you, civil
society, people of faith, all of us."