Public campaign on climate changeIn 2006, the WCC began preparations for a campaign for a strengthened international agreement on climate change with a broad coalition of environmental groups and other partners. 2007 to 2009 are decisive years for climate change negotiations according to the analysis of all major environmental NGOs and the WCC working group on Climate Change. The Third Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change which is the scientific body of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change published in January 2007 underlines the urgency of the matter even stronger than previous publications. New data shows a more dramatic picture. For this reason, there is great interest in a wide and strong coalition of NGOs, development agencies including specialized ministries, faith communities etc. highlighting the urgency of the issue and its impact on peoples lives in order to change governmental policies, business practices and life-styles of the affluent. More and more churches and specialized ministries are also becoming involved, creating new desks on climate change and ready to embark on the campaign. There is great need for communication and co-operation among these partners. WCC at COP 15 in CopenhagenThe UN Climate Conference (COP15) in Copenhagen has concluded with a frail and deeply flawed agreement that has been denounced by many of the nations most vulnerable to climate change. It is urgent that negotiations among all countries are resumed with the objective of a fair, ambitious and legally binding treaty. The good news is that in 2009, from a strong, but small seed of climate campaigning, a movement touching millions of people in hundreds of countries around the world has grown. There was a strong ecumenical witness in Copenhagen, and around the world thousands of congregations rang their bells for climate justice. Video: Desmond Tutu at COP 15, CopenhagenYou should see the video here. If not, JavaScript is maybe deactivated on your browser.
On Sunday 13 December 2009 Archbishop (em.) Desmond Tutu handed over a clock representing half a million signatures and pledges for climate justice to Yvo de Boer, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) executive secretary.
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