Weekly Action - 16 November 2024 - COP29
Take action on climate change as the governments of the world meet at COP29 UN climate change talks.
COP29
This week and next the COP29 UN climate change negotiations are taking place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from Monday 11 November – Sunday 24 November. The stakes couldn’t be higher in this annual gathering which brings together the nations of the world to agree the actions necessary to halt global climate change. At stake in this year’s negotiations is the crucial need to agree a new global climate finance target to unlock billions in climate finance from multiple sources to help developing countries leapfrog the use of polluting fossil fuel energy and go straight to clean renewable energy in their national economic development. The funds are also essential for helping developing countries to respond to the impacts of climate change.
In recent years these impacts have included heatwaves, droughts, floods, cyclones, wildfires, landslides, more intense storms, massive polar melting, the melting of the world’s glaciers, sea-level rise, the devastation of coral systems, mass food and fresh water shortages, ill health, huge negative economic impacts, conflicts over scarce resources, the creation of huge numbers of climate refugees, and much more. All of which hits the poorest nations and people hardest. People like Aagney, a friend of Arise from Nepal. He has seen the weather change from when he was a boy, so it is now much hotter in his region, even in winter. He has seen the rains repeatedly fail in recent years, devastating the winter barley crop and leaving smog and haze in the air, having a huge impact on millions.
As Christians what should we do about it?
As Christians we are called to look after and care for God’s amazing creation, it belongs to him, not us, as he says in the Psalms, “The heavens are yours, and yours also the earth; you founded the world and all that is in it.” (Psalm 89: 11). We therefore need to urgently get out of fossil fuels, which are driving global climate change, and instead shift to 100% clean renewable energy, which does not lead to climate change, and is cheaper as well. Arise’s 4 Shifts Campaign calls for this shift as part of rewiring of our global economy to be green and fair, so it still creates the jobs and wealth that lift people out of poverty, but does so without relying on fossil fuels and the overconsumption which is wrecking our planet.
Will you take action as part of Arise’s 4 Shifts campaign this week to help Aagney and millions of others like him, and call for an urgent shift to a clean energy economy?
Take Action
Speak out in advocacy
Write to Ed Miliband MP, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, in your own words to ask the UK to play a leading role in dramatically scaling up momentum on climate action.
- Urge the UK government to call for a strengthening of the global Paris Agreement on climate change to shift to zero emissions and 100% clean renewable energy, and ban the use of fossil fuels in every nation by 2030.
- Urge the UK to pass national legislation to bring this into effect in the UK, and implement it in every sector (not just in energy generation, but in transport, buildings, industry etc.)
You can write to him at:
The Rt Hon Ed Miliband MP
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
55 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2HP
Pray
Pray for people around the world who are currently being hit by the impacts of climate change. Pray for protection, that their basic needs will be met, and that their societies can adapt to a changing climate.
Give
Give to Christian organisations like Cafod, Christian Aid, Tearfund or World Vision who are supporting the poorest communities impacted by climate change around the world.
Practical Action
Reduce your own use of electricity and gas as much as possible through actions such as switching off lights and unplugging devices when not in use, wearing warmer clothing rather than putting the heating on, and ensuring your home is properly insulated.
Ethical Consumption
Speed the shift to a 100% clean energy economy by switching your car (if you have one) from petrol to electric. Do some research, it’s not as expensive as it sounds. There are more and more second-hand models on the market with good range, and cheaper options of leasing and paying in instalments are available. It’s the future.
Find out more
Latest news – Updates on previous campaigns and latest news from the Arise movement.
Join a local Arise group in your church or area – It’s great to take this action as individual Christians, but even better to come together with others to pray, discuss, worship, learn, have fun and take action together. Contact Arise if you are interested.
Arise Manifesto – Find out more about this week’s action in the Arise Manifesto, Arise’s big picture, researched, Biblical, holistic and practical vision for a better world.
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