Document
Click here for the letter sent on 31 July 2018 from the WCC general secretariat.
Dear General Secretary,
"Send out your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will get it back." Ecclesiastes 11:1
We thank you and deeply appreciate the WCC’s sympathies and concerns about the fires and drought in Sweden.
Being used to temperate climate, the experiences of this summer have reminded us of the vulnerability and potential instability of many systems that we tend to take for granted. Around 300 people were for some time evacuated from their homes and more than 25.000 acres of forestland were destroyed. We may not be aware of all long term consequences yet. Already, we see smaller harvests and water shortage as result of the drought. And we know that these kind of dry and hot summers may become
more frequent due to climate change.
On the brighter side, the people of Sweden have been reminded of the necessity of international solidarity. For many of us, it was a new and important experience to find ourselves at the receiving end this time. Fire fighters from, among others, Poland and France were warmly welcomed.
It is my hope that two insights will prevail:
- The necessity to sustain and care for international solidarity, including cooperation within the EU
- The necessity to increase our efforts to mitigate climate change and work for climate justice
I am grateful for the sense of community within the WCC and our pilgrimage of justice and peace.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Antje Jackelén
Archbishop
Church of Sweden
