wfn.org | The Hope We Share: A Vision For Copenhagen

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

A Statement from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network

Posted On : October 12, 2009 2:49 PM | Posted By : Webmaster
ACNS: http://www.aco.org/acns/news.cfm/2009/10/12/ACNS4659
Related Categories: ACO

> The Hope We Share: A Vision For Copenhagen

In preparation for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) Conference Of Parties (COP) Meetings to be held in
Copenhagen, Denmark in December, the Anglican Communion Environmental
Network (ACEN) has issued a statement to Anglicans Worldwide, to COP
Delegates, Faith Community Representatives, Observer Organizations, and
Friends of Creation.

Conferring by email, and using a draft text by Convener, Bishop George
Browning, retired Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn in Australia, the
network's nineteen provincial representatives considered and amended a
three-page statement seeking to address the moral consequences of
climate change and to provoke UN delegates to combine hope with realism
as they devise a political system which will take effect in 2012 when
the Kyoto Protocol expires:

We look to the Copenhagen conference with hope but also with realism . .
. there must be a desire on the part of every nation to do what they
know they must, not because they are legally bound, but because they
share a vision for a more just and sustainable future . . . We pray that
each nation will come to the conference wanting the highest level
outcome; that demanding targets will be set, not in an attempt to
discipline reluctant participants, or to give some preferential
treatment which undermines the whole; but that a greater vision might be
shared.

The Anglican Communion occupies a unique position globally in terms of
affecting and suffering from climate change:

> From all points of the globe we point to the reality of climate change
and to the very serious effect it is already having upon our people;
from severe weather events, to prolonged droughts, major floods, loss of
habitat and changing seasons.

> Our position is faith-based:

Our faith and our ancestors have always taught us that the earth is our
mother and deserves respect; we know that this respect has not been
given. We know that like a mother the earth will continue to give its
all to us. However, we also know that we are now demanding more than it
is able to provide. Science confirms what we already know, our human
footprint is changing the face of the earth and because we come from the
earth, it is changing us too.

Our statement is framed in the context of hope channeled through a
positive vision.

We have always known that "without a vision, the people perish".  The
Copenhagen Conference can either produce a bland, minimalist set of non
enforceable targets or it can sketch a vision to inspire the world and
its peoples.  Leaders lead, please . . . do not let us down.

A PDF of the Statement is available here:

http://acen.anglicancommunion.org/_userfiles/File/copenhagen_ACEN.pdf

> Contact:

> The Rt. Rev. George Browning, Convener
> mailto:gandmbrowning@bigpond.com
> Statement Draft

The Rev. Terrie Robinson, Anglican Communion Networks Coordinator
mailto:terrie.robinson@anglicancommunion.org
Anglican communion Networks Context

> Office of the UN Observer, New York
> mailto:unoffice@anglicancommunion.org
> UN functions

> The Rev. Ken Gray, Communications
> mailto:canadaacen@shaw.ca

> The ACEN

> http://acen.anglicancommunion.org/index.cfm

As an official network of the Anglican Communion the ACEN strives:
*	to encourage Anglicans to support sustainable environmental
practices as individuals and in the life of their communities
*	to provide information about policies embraced by synods,
councils and commissions, and especially by the instruments of Unity
(Statements by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Resolutions and Reports of
the Lambeth Conference and the Anglican Consultative Council)
*	to support local initiatives by providing information about
ideas and best practices developed around the communion
*	to share information about resources and initiatives that may be
of value to Anglicans everywhere
*	to provide an opportunity for interested Anglicans to meet both
as a formal network, and informally via electronic media.

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