November 15, 2007

Christian Call to Action on Climate Change

On Saturday November 2, Maroubra Junction Uniting Church presented the attached declaration to local MP Peter Garrett and local Mayor Bruce Notley-Smith. A copy was also sent to Malcolm Turnbull.

“We feel it is a practical way to display to the politicians that as Christians we are called to be stewards of God’s good creation,” said congregation member Geoff Callaghan.

“As such we will be watching their climate change policies with great interest.”

For a comparison of the major parties’ climate change policies please refer to the Climate Institute's Major Parties Climate Change Report Card

For a comparison of the minor parties’ climate change policies please refer to Minor Parties Climate Change Report Card

We are called to be good stewards of creation.

Our commitment to the environment arises out of the Christian belief that God, as the Creator of the universe, calls us into a special relationship with the creation — a relationship of mutuality and interdependence which seeks the reconciliation of all creation with God. We believe that God’s will for the earth is renewal and reconciliation, not destruction by human beings. As Christian we believe we are called to be good stewards of God’s creation.

Climate change will impact most severely on the world’s poor.

We accept the overwhelming scientific evidence that global warming is real, and that it is largely human-induced through the extraction and burning of fossil fuels. As disciples of Christ, we are called to serve, protect and empower the vulnerable and the victims of injustice. Extraction of fossil fuels has caused and continues to cause social injustices and military conflict around the world. And it is the world’s most vulnerable, who have contributed the least to the extraction and burning of fossil fuels, who will continue to suffer its consequences most severely. The future impact of climate change on families, on whole communities and all life across the globe will be significant. We must act now to halt any further damage and bequeath a sustainable future for the voiceless generations to come.

We commit to leading by example.

Climate change is not just a political and economic issue; it is a moral and spiritual issue that calls for leadership from faith communities. As a church we believe we have an obligation to lead by example on what is essentially a moral issue that affects us all. We therefore commit to raising awareness about climate change and to reducing greenhouse gas emissions both at our church and in our homes.

We call upon our governments to implement policies that address climate change.

We recognize the vital role government policies will play in addressing climate change. The CSIRO has calculated that the negative effects of climate change will be severely experienced in Australia, and that switching to a clean economy is likely to cost significantly less than the social cost of climate change impacts.

This cost-benefit calculus also applies internationally. As a wealthy nation that has used more than its fair share of the earth’s resources, Australia also has a responsibility to provide international leadership in the global response to avoid dangerous climate change. The CSIRO recommends that Australia reduce its annual GHG emissions by 60-90% from 1990 or 2000 levels by 2050. For the sake of all citizens, future generations, and all creation, we strongly call upon the governments of Australia to adopt policies without delay that will:

• Ensure Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions peak and begin to decline in the next five years, set a long term domestic reduction target of at least 90 per cent below 1990 levels by 2050, and set an interim target of 30 per cent below 1990 levels by 2020.
• Commit to the phasing out of fossil fuel extraction and use, ensure all new electricity generation comes from renewable energy, and legislate a renewable energy target of at least 25 per cent by 2020.
• Commit to strategies that reduce energy consumption, including setting the world’s best energy performance standards, establishing cost effective efficiency measures to cut energy waste, expanding public transport, walking and cycling facilities, and fostering initiatives that decrease transportation distances of goods and people.
• Commit to climate justice, that is, to socially just solutions that prevent climate change and that empower marginalized communities. Such solutions include assisting lower income households to purchase energy efficient appliances and renewable energy, and helping neighbouring countries to make the switch to clean energy and to prepare for the climate change that is an inevitable result of past emissions.
• Strengthen, broaden and deepen international greenhouse agreements that commit to global cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Lead the world in a response that avoids dangerous global warming of more than 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels.

Jesus Said “From those to whom much has been given much will be required”. Luke 12:48

Name and Position:

Representing:

Signed: Date: ____/____/____