wfn.org | INTERNATIONAL: WCC MEETING ON CLIMATE CHANGE

[a.whitefield@quest.org.uk]

March 21, 1997
ANGLICAN COMMUNION NEWS SERVICE
Canon Jim Rosenthal, Director of Communications
Anglican Communion Office
London, UK

[97.3.3.1]

INTERNATIONAL: WCC MEETING ON CLIMATE CHANGE 

 (Report for ACNS by the Revd Patrick Currant, Bonn) At its meeting in
Panama in October 1996 the
Anglican Consultative Council expressed its support for a World Council
of Churches (WCC) Petition on Climate Change. On Sunday 2 March, this
WCC petition was handed to the President of the Conference of Parties of
the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which was meeting in
Bonn, Germany.

Climate Change has remained a Cinderella concern for those so inclined.
It was therefore a welcome surprise that the former President of
Germany, Dr Richard von Weizsecker, was prepared to be the main speaker
at the event. In his speech Dr Wiezsecker deplored the lack of political
will to reach agreement on the necessary reduction in greenhouse gases.
This was scandalous, he said. Further he said that the only effective
way to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases is through long-term
concerted effort by all the industrialised countries. The industrial
countries are responsible for three-quarters of air pollution

It is because of the above situation and the slowness of the
inter-governmental debates that the WCC felt compelled to organise the
petition. Twenty-three countries participated in the campaign. Those who
signed the petition were also making a personal commitment. By signing
this petition, we declare our commitment to accept the consequences of
reductions for society, economy and our personal lives.  We are prepared
to take responsible steps in our own lives to reduce our energy
consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

At the hand over there were representatives from many of the Churches
which had participated in organising the campaign.

It is hard to see what impact the petition will have on those who have
been charged with negotiating the necessary changes. It was a "nice"
occasion, but it lacked urgency, it lacked enthusiasm, it lacked
conviction.  It remained an unconvincing event. The young people present
were members of two youth choirs charged with the task of making a
musical contribution What hope did this meeting give to them I wonder?

One message that did come through however was that each of us is charged
to look at our life-styles and make the necessary adjustments   The
petition was right to end with each one of us. Maybe the political will
is lacking because deep down we remain unconvinced, so that the personal
will which is the prerequisite for change is not present.  Each
sacrifice we make can have a negative effect on the economies of the
industrialised world and the already deplorable employment situation

In the years ahead, governments will require a level playing field
without opt out clauses, but will this be a disadvantage to the
developing countries, which often attract the business of
multi-nationals because of lax regulations? Those working in the oil
industry already find German legislation over restrictive! Further we
will need much more persuading and educating before we can make the
required and necessary adjustments in our own lives.

Climate change is a global issue. It needs to be tackled by a faith that
is global. The organised Christian faith is such a global religion,
which has an important part to play, not only in tackling such issues,
but in commending the Christian faith by overcoming national divisions.