climate change
These wildfires are one very obvious sign of the huge impact climate change is having, but so much is being affected, likely more than we even realise. Recently, at S.
This is our beautiful wildflower garden. It is imperative that we all increase our efforts to fight climate change as individuals, and as a Church.
The people of today are worried about climate change, cost of living, the safety of their family.
Climate change St Mary’s Great Baddow was awarded Eco Church Silver status this year.
Climate change is rightly a CofE priority, as our approach to it is the fifth mark of mission.
Climate change, extreme weather, biodiversity, and especially how these might affect the poor
I hope that the Holy Spirit can guide us into a new way of living together with our differences, recognising our imperfect understanding but also the many areas where we agree and share a mission. (I’m a member of ‘Inclusive Church’ which encompasses race and disability as well as gender issues.) Climate change and loss of biodiversity are of enormous significance for us all, but especially for our children and grandchildren.
I have supported environmental measures relating to climate change and biodiversity.
Although recently retired from that role, I hold a number of arts/cultural leadership roles including Gabrieli (very active in music engagement for young people), The Grange Festival, and a global charity In Place of War (supporting artists, musicians and grassroots cultural organisations in communities affected by conflict, climate change and systemic inequality - enabling change).
Much of that work focussed on climate change and ways to mitigate it:- I specialised in renewable energy, in particular bioenergy from forestry and agriculture: I acted as
Latterly, I led a team to support senior policy makers and scientists in the co-ordination of marine science research across the UK Governments, that should help our understanding of the effects of climate change and human impacts on the marine environment.
In particular, I have used my experience of being part of a small rural church to highlight key, urgent challenges faced by our parishes, and my scientific background in climate change to suggest practical local approaches.
o what steps are being taken to reduce the pressure experienced by small, often rural, churches due to the large quantity of necessary policy documents, procedures and risk assessments that they are required to produce, review and maintain?; o why so few people are currently coming forward for ordination. (Over the past 8 years, the number of people being recommended to train for ordination has fallen by around one third.). (General Synod Report of Proceedings July 2024, p46, response to question 4); o on climate change-related issues: I asked if online ‘calculators’ would be provided to help make it cheaper and easier for churches to explore the likely costs and benefits of installing different renewable energy systems; sought advice on which climate- proof trees to plant in our graveyards; and suggested an alternative approach re: the need for a Faculty for a new boiler, by churches with low fossil fuel use; and o asked questions on theology, the importance of Scripture, and reducing multi-parish benefice sizes.
• my scientific background in climate change and environmental sustainability, to support and help inform
the Church’s response to the growing Climate Change crisis and its own net zero target;
We urgently need to act in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss while valuing local and ethical food production and those farmers who care deeply for land and livestock.
There are therefore key issues which must be addressed and upheld by the Church of England to ensure that young people feel they can find their home in the church: Environmental consciousness: A key issue amongst young people, with a CAST report saying that “[young people] feel much more threatened by [climate change] and have stronger emotional reactions [to it].” As a first step, looking at ways to address energy inefficiency within the parish, and setting up sources of renewable energy, while noting the difficulties posed by financial constraints and practical challenges like sourcing contractors.
03 ENVIRONMENT I would love to see the church leading the debate on improving our environment and tackling climate change.
We must be particularly mindful of those communities around the world already experiencing the devastating consequences of climate change, often despite having contributed least to its causes.
Climate Change.
For many young people, climate change is their primary concern, so caring for the environment and evangelism go hand-in-hand.
04 Science, faith and safeguarding Synod will weigh questions of science and faith and of climate change, where a working knowledge of science and evidence is of real use.
■ Two years already served on Synod, including panels for the appointment of Bishops, and speaking in debates. ■ Thirty years of parish service: Warden, Safeguarding Officer, PCC Trustee, small group and student leadership. ■ A surgeon’s habits: weighing evidence, taking hard decisions, holding hard conversations with care. ■ Lived experience of arriving in England as a migrant child, and of coming to Christian faith as an adult. ■ A working knowledge of science and medicine, of direct use in Synod’s debates on science and faith, and on climate change.
Climate change - Heatwaves This is a topical subject following another record-breaking summer.
I grew up in a Christian home in South East London, studied mechanical engineering in Scotland and worked in university research (on projects including climate change and vibration in complex rotor systems).
This involved significant culture change and proactive leadership in areas of poverty injustice, refugee integration, climate change, modern-day slavery, reconciliation in a colonial context and addressing the housing crisis in practice as well as advocacy.
Trends develop such as sustainability, climate change, carbon reduction, net zero: new understandings are developing such as net gain and nature- positive – and so we come back to God’s creation and His charge to be good stewards of His garden!
Throughout my ministry I have had a heart for reversing the effects of climate change – I have led Moulton and my previous church in the gaining of bronze EcoChurch awards.
There are a number of familiar and very sensitive ‘hot potato’ topics (not least around marriage and sexuality) and news stories that grab the headlines from time to time (including safeguarding, climate change, and slave trade reparations), and yet I remain convinced that the CofE still has a precious and unique place in our society.
The Diocese of Truro has been one of the leading dioceses in responding to climate change, and I have been pleased to champion that work on General Synod.
This became one of the building blocks for the Church of Eng- and’s subsequent work on climate change.
- Climate change: much has been said already, but recent events at home and abroad
General Synod has an important role, to which I would hope to contribute, on issues such as international aid, assisted dying, caring for creation, and climate change.
• Climate change/Net Zero
Climate change is a genuine emergency and I welcome the commitment by the General Synod to become carbon neutral by 2030.
Climate change and poverty are the greatest challenges in our world, both locally and internationally.
The Environment – I am convinced of the need to address climate change, and the part that individuals and church communities can play.
In the face of large and growing CO₂ emissions from countries like China and India as they continue to industrialise, realistic solutions to anthropogenic climate change can only be technological and market driven.
so I will also support efforts to reduce the epidemic of loneliness, social isolation and existential distress prevalent in so many of our young people and congregations, help parishes to meet their environmental objectives whilst fully recognising the unique challenges they face with their historic buildings, and would also, I hope, contribute to important debates on social and biomedical ethics including those around poverty and exclusion, racial justice, Al, assisted dying, genetic modification, gender identity, spiritual abuse and climate change amongst so many others, so please do consider voting for me.
Rooted in a good theology of what God has entrusted to us, the Church must remain steadfast in defence of commitment to tackling climate change.
A Voice of Hope and National Unity: I have become increasingly anxious about the state of our nation - our identity (English, British?), the increasing likelihood of war with Russia or Iran, national insolvency, lawlessness, de-population (you can watch my Synod speech in July 2026), deep political polarisation, rising levels of anti- semitism, and anxiety about climate change, Islamism and mass immigration.
• Climate Change: Ensure the Church delivers on its Net Zero commitments, increases
Environment and Climate change Understanding more about the challenges in South Africa and our other Link Dioceses and becoming a grandmother has made me even more passionate about reducing the impact of climate change.
I am very interested to learn more about the Heritage of the Church and of its response to climate change and recognise the local financial burden parishes face when trying to go green.
Again, you’d be surprised that some Synod members think climate change is simply not happening, despite the scientific evidence and our own experience here in the UK.
Climate Change
At a time of great uncertainty about the future, and of fear of the effects of climate change and the risk of war, as well as lack of confidence in our political system to solve our economic and social problems, many are seeking hope and security.
I'm a member of the GS Environment Group, and since my time on the Pensions Board I've pressed for strong up-to-date policies on climate change.
Climate Change and Net Zero
Climate Change – a moral and Christian issue I feel proud that our own Bishop Graham is the lead Bishop for the Environment.
As he has insisted, climate change is not simply a scientific or political question but a matter of Christian responsibility and compassion.
Climate Change
prophetic on issues of climate change and the environment What can I offer
Why I am standing for General Synod I want to see young people’s voices heard in Church of England structures I am passionate about the future of the Church of England, which has a wonderful opportunity, as a Christian Presence in Every Community, to share the Good News of Jesus with my generation. I care deeply about the future of the planet (it’s the one God has given us to look after), and want to encourage the Church of England to support policies which will protect the environment, and help people effected the most by climate change. I want to foster better relationships with other churches – encouraged by the multi- denominational youth group in which I grew up. I am concerned with diocesan finances, and want to work for a better funding settlement from the Church Commissioners. I play an active role in my local Parish Church, and the importance of the CofE in every community in England cannot be underestimated.
Climate change and caring for creation is a genuine emergency as our weather this summer demonstrates.
Climate Change.
I will bring to General Synod a passion for: Climate Change - I’m the Deanery Environmental Representative for my Deanery Synod and played a key role in helping our church secure the Silver Eco Church Award.
After earning my undergraduate degree in Architecture, I went on to gain an MA in Humanitarian and Development Practice and a PhD in Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change.
Climate Change and Care of God’s Creation
Work for justice – climate change hits hardest the poorest countries and poorest people of the world.
We must also lead on climate change and ensure our investments are held with ethical integrity.
Net Zero & Climate Change.
I am supportive of our commitment to Net Zero and recognise the very real and pressing issue of climate change and our need to act.
gets so that the Church might show its commitment to care for creation and be a leader in addressing the global emergen- cy of climate change and its im- pact on both the natural envi- ronment and the humanity.
Environment and Climate Change
Climate change — I support the Church’s commitment to net zero by 2030, and I believe the Church must lead by example in caring for God’s creation.
Addressing the climate crisis: Climate change continues to be an issue of crucial importance, so we as Christians must continue to do our best to treat our planet in a way that respects Creation.
I haven’t managed it yet, but at a time when climate change has had profound consequences for people in our Diocese, as well as all over the world, the church must do all it can to reduce its carbon footprint and use its resources and influence others to do the same.
I believe we need to be active partners in addressing issues that affect the wider community, including domestic and global poverty, the impact of climate change, and the importance of racial justice.
These will include: e Human sexuality, and how the church will, as I hope it will, become fully inclusive of all who seek to follow Christ e Safeguarding — how best to create and sustain an effective professional safeguarding service which is locally based while demonstrably independent of the Church e Recognition of our responsibilities as temporary custodians of our God-given natural environment, and encouraging society at large to face up to the challenges of climate change
At times this has led to ‘tribalism’ and othering one another in a way that reflects a poor image of Christ to the world and has overshadowed other important issues such as widening economic inequality, climate change, racial justice, fostering a good safeguarding culture and lack of opportunities for young people.
The next Synod must build on this progress, addressing climate change, social justice, equality, safeguarding, mission and growth, ensuring that national decisions strengthen the life of our local churches and communities.
• Imaginative Climate Action: Addressing climate change as a clear, tangible threat to humanity.
Climate change.
Globally we have not done enough to tackle the problem of climate change and the church can play an important role in modelling ways to move towards net- zero and to adapt to changes.
We also need to take a lead in challenging the climate change deniers, who are sadly still spouting their deluded nonsense.
Climate change is imperilling Creation.
Environmental sustainability: Our national church initiatives on climate change and moving towards net-zero must take account of local needs and practical constraints to be successful.
Having experienced the worst wildfires in recent French history within my own chaplaincy area this year, I am deeply concerned about climate change and the pace of moves towards net zero.
As this summer’s record heat has shown, climate change remains the biggest challenge facing God’s creation.
Likewise, my conviction is that a crucial part of the church’s mission should be to serve the disadvantaged in our communities, campaign for social and economic justice and lead by example on combatting climate change.
Climate change is a genuine emergency.
Climate Change
Climate change is already shaping the lives of communities across the world.
The careful study of scripture and prayerful consideration will need to underpin all that General Synod has to consider be that Safeguarding, Racial Justice, Reparations, Climate Change or any of the many other matters that are likely to come before it in the next quinquennium.
I have supported motions tackling climate change and welcome the focus on developing worship and liturgy to celebrate God’s wonderful creation as well as highlighting the ways we can all engage in our communities and parishes.
I believe that the Church can play a role in reducing the effects of climate change and habitat destruction through responsible investment and engagement with tenant farmers and will speak/vote in favour of this.
William is keen to bring the voice of the young and the rural community to the General Synod where topics such as Climate change, sustainability and job security/opportunities will likely be high on the agenda.
As a farmer, he has gained practical problem-solving skills in engineering and a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature through working directly with it, which has fuelled his passion for the environment and climate change.