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The prayer and action chain is inviting all people of goodwill to be prophetic, pray intensely and act radically to reduce the negative effects of human activity on the planet.
The campaign organizers are urging people to pray and act, given the existential challenge of the current COVID-19 pandemic coupled with the climate crisis. “The time to affirm these universal challenges which due to the injustices and inequalities of our world will affect the most vulnerable is now,” reads a statement describing the goals of the campaign. “This is the time to listen to voices from communities where the linked impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change are having their greatest impact and to highlight the elements of global justice.”
As people lose their land to the sea, and low-lying islands disappear below the waves, as crops fail to grow, and people become more vulnerable to diseases like malaria, the pursuit of climate justice is inextricably linked to the pursuit of equality, economic justice, gender justice and human rights.
“To truly tackle the climate crisis, we need a huge shift of power and wealth in every sense,” reads the statement. “Communities of faith can join and lead actions to change the status quo.”
Prayers will focus on impoverished communities, women, children, indigenous people, migrants and refugees, who have historically generated a low-carbon footprint. “Their contribution to the climate crisis is negligible, yet they are amongst those most affected, making climate change a justice issue,” reads the statement. “We call on governments to understand climate change as a moral and ethical problem that requires moral and ethical solutions.”
The campaign urges governments to use their leadership to find solutions that prioritise people, planet and ecosystems over profit.
“Every climate summit provides a new opportunity to scale-up ambition and efforts to tackle climate change,” reads the statement. “We hope that all governments understand the urgency for climate action and that they come to Glasgow prepared to take action.”
Learn more about the Global Prayer and Action Chain for Climate Justice
