URC Mersey Synod Eco Group and Eco Updates
Following the Mersey Synod meeting on 9th March, a Synod Eco Group has been formed to help churches to fulfill our commitment of caring for God’s Creation and to exchange information and experiences on ‘green’ issues. To-date, representatives from nine churches have joined the Eco Group and the first meeting was held on Zoom on 10th June. Topics of interest identified by Group members include:
measuring the church’s carbon footprint
conducting energy audits of church buildings
achieving net zero carbon buildings targets
investing in alternative heating technologies such as infra-red and heat pumps
measuring building heat loss e.g. using thermal cameras
funding renewable technologies such as solar panels
waste reduction, re-use and recycling
identifying and sharing worship resources
targeting URC investments in green technologies.
The next meeting will be held on 16th September at 7.30pm on Zoom. If you would like to join the Eco Group, please contact Richard Pearce, Green Apostle: Greenapostle@urcmerseysynod.org.uk or call on: 07976 352914
Season of Creation 2024
Each year from September 1 to October 4, the Christian family unites for this worldwide celebration of prayer and action to protect our common home. It is a special season where we celebrate God as Creator and acknowledge Creation as the divine continuing act that summons us as collaborators to love and care for the gift of all that is created.
This year, the theme for the season is “To hope and act with Creation”. Amid the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution, many are beginning to despair and suffer from eco-anxiety. As people of faith, we are called to lift the hope inspired by our faith, the hope of the resurrection. This season, we are also uniting our Christian voices through a joint advocacy initiative to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty which calls for a halt to new fossil fuel projects.
For more details and a wealth of resources, visit the Season of Creation website: https://seasonofcreation.org/
Election 2024: Which Party Scores Best on the Climate Emergency and the Environment?
You have probably been inundated already by election leaflets from the political parties and election news on the media. But, if you think that climate emergency and protecting the environment are high priorities, then which party’s manifesto commitments are the most persuasive?
Friends of the Earth have produced an analysis of where the Conservative, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Green parties stand on climate, energy, nature and the environment, and where they’re strongest and weakest, see link:
https://friendsoftheearth.uk/system-change/green-policies-and-general-election-who-leads-pack
Amongst other commentators, the Guardian and ITV news have also analysed the environmental manifestos and plans of the main political parties:
https://www.itv.com/news/2024-06-06/general-election-how-each-party-plans-to-tackle-climate-change