A World Council of Churches (WCC) statement on COP27 notes that there are communities and nations already facing catastrophic impacts of climate change but whose urgent appeals other members of the international community have failed to heed.
As Christians we confess that “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world and all who live in it” (Ps 24). We acknowledge our responsibility as stewards and caretakers of God’s unique and abundant Creation of which we human beings are part. And yet we look around our world today, and see that due to our greed and negligence the entire living planet is threatened by accelerating climate change. “The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers…”, “The earth is defiled by its people…” (Isaiah 24:4-5).
Rev. Dr Lesmore G. Ezekiel, director of programmes at the All Africa Conference of Churches, reflects below on how people of faith are inspired and motivated to take action on climate change, not only at COP27 but beyond.
Radically impatient. This is a common sentiment among young people across different backgrounds and regions of the world, criticizing the ongoing inaction of many world leaders, people of power and influence, including the church, on the issue of the climate emergency.
On the day before the official opening of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, representatives from different faiths gathered at Qesm Sharm Ash Sheikh, or The Heavenly Cathedral, home to congregants of the Coptic Orthodox Church, to share their perspectives on the climate crisis.
During a conference focusing on water for human rights and sustainable development in Geneva, World Council of Churches (WCC) deputy general secretary Prof. Dr Isabel Apawo Phiri spoke on “Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment.”
The Pacific Conference of Churches is calling for “less talk and more action” that supports the resilience of Pacific communities affected by climate change at COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.
During a meeting on 28 October, the World Council of Churches (WCC) and Right Livelihood exchanged dialogue and ideas on response to the climate emergency and other initiatives.
A World Council of Churches (WCC) delegation comprised of representatives from WCC member churches and partner organizations is headed to the COP27 climate change summit in Egypt to lift up voices, experiences, and perspectives of those most affected.
Co-organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Institute of Theology and Ecology at the Orthodox Academy of Crete, the 7th international conference on Ecological Theology and Environmental Ethics (ECOTHEE-2022) held 27-29 October in Kolympari, Crete reflected on life changing ecological theology and environmental ethics to avert climate crisis.
A church-backed symbolic torch—amplifying calls for climate justice—is moving across African countries, on its way to Sharm El-Sheik, the Egyptian city, hosting the 6-18 November UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).
A conference focusing on water for human rights and sustainable development will be held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and online on 3-4 November.
As the world prepares to gather for the UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt, Christian organizations from Africa, Europe, and North America have committed to work together to end the persistent hunger crisis, worsened by climate change.
As a severe drought triggered a humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, churches and several humanitarian organizations there urged foreign debt suspension to enable the countries to tackle the catastrophe.
On 4 October at 5 pm CEST, ecumenical youth leaders from around the globe will lead the closing prayer and reflection to celebrate the closing of the Season of Creation on this year’s theme, “Listen to the Voice of Creation.”
An interfaith panel discussion on climate, held 21 September, sent a clear message to the world’s governments: a social and spiritual transformation must underpin policies that care for the earth and the most vulnerable people living on it.
A statement from the World Council of Churches 11th Assembly, “The Living Planet: seeking a just and sustainable global community,” raises an increasingly urgent voice of concern and demand for action.
Is a successful dialogue between churches and politicians possible and what should it be based on? Can the European Green Deal inspire similar actions in other regions? What Christian values can contribute to the universal aspiration for a sustainable future?
The groaning of a Creation awaiting renewal provided context for ecumenical common prayer at the 11th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) in Karlsruhe, Germany on the morning of Monday 5 September. The theme for morning prayers was “Christ’s love means compassion for life”.
