The impacts of climate change are being felt everywhere andare having very real consequences on peoples lives. Climate change isdisrupting national economies, costing us dearly today and even more tomorrow.But there is a growing recognition that affordable, scalable solutions areavailable now that will enable us all to leapfrog to cleaner, more resilienteconomies.
The latest analysis shows that if we act now, we can reducecarbon emissions within 12 years and hold the increase in the global averagetemperature to well below 2C and even, as asked by the latest science, to1.5C above pre-industrial levels.
On 23 September, the Secretary-General of the United Nationswill host the Climate Action Summit in New York with the objective of boostingambition and rapidly accelerate action to implement the Paris Agreement (a policyframework that sets out exactly what needs to be done to stop climatedisruption and reverse its impact). The summit will bring together governments,the private sector, civil society, local authorities and other internationalorganisations with the aim of moving from the commitments of theParis Summit to agreeing actions.
Small groups of member countries have been given different areasto investigate and make action plans for. The UK is working with Egypt and theUnited Nations Development Programme, on "integrating climate risksinto public and private sector decision-making to assure sustainability offood, water and jobs for the future as well as to prevent disasters and toallow a quick recovery after disasters especially of the most vulnerablegroups".
Please do pray for this important meeting. If youd like tocome to a particular event to pray:
- The Iona service inPershore Abbey from 7.30 to 8.30 pm on Wednesday 25 September, will be avigil of prayer and meditation for the Climate Summit and related issues. Therewill be times of quiet reflection and prayer interspersed with readings,prayers and quiet songs or music.
Please consider holding a prayer event in your parish or praying for the summit in your intercessions.
There are also a number of GeneralClimate Strike events taking place on Friday 20 September. Find yournearest event: https://ukscn.org/events/?postcode=wr1%201aa
If you are planning any other events around the Climate Summit,please do let us know.
More information on the Climate Action Summit 2019: https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/un-climate-summit-2019.shtml
