Ecology

The United Church of Canada, together with other churches in Canada and around the world, is deeply concerned about climate change. We view this as an issue with profound ethical dimensions since climate change is being caused largely by the polluting emissions from richer, over-developed countries but the consequences will be suffered disproportionately by the poorer developing nations, vulnerable ecosystems, and future generations to come.

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Actions

KYOTOplus: Creating a New Global Covenant

The United Church is part of KAIROS whose current campaign challenges us to understand climate change as an ethical issue requiring urgent and decisive action.

Moving Beyond Kyoto with equity, justice and solidarity

Use this World Council of Churches resource to learn how to continue to put pressure on the Canadian government to implement the Kyoto Protocol and discuss the steps needed to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in the longer term.

View also the recent statement on YouTube from Samuel Kobia, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, addressing the UN about climate issues.

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Related Partners and Programs

The United Church of Canada works in partnership with organizations in Canada and around the world to address the issue of climate change, including:

• Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC)
  CYCC is a coalition of youth from across Canada acting locally, nationally, and globally to demand immediate and meaningful action on climate change by governmental and private sector leaders.
• Climate Action Network (CAN) Canada
  With other members of CAN, the United Church works to prevent dangerous levels of human interference in the global climate system while upholding principles of equity and justice.
• National Council of Churches in Kenya
  Susie Ibutu from the National Council of Churches in Kenya describes Kenyan churches’ integrated response to climate change and lack of water in a YouTube video.
• Pacific Peoples’ Partnership (Canada)
  Works with peoples of the Pacific region where global warming threatens the viability of many small islands, negatively impacting access to fresh water and food sovereignty with the depletion of marine resources, and the destruction of coral reefs by changing temperatures.

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Conference Connections

United Church communities work on climate change through a variety of initiatives at the local and regional level. Here follow a few examples from several conferences:

• Bay of Quinte
  The Conference has an active group involved in Care for the Earth and a number of initiatives related to the 350 campaign against climate change.

For more information on initiatives in your local area, please contact your local conference office.

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Background, Resources, and Links

• David Suzuki Foundation
  Since 1990, the foundation has worked to find ways for society to live in balance with the natural world that sustains us. The global warming section on their website includes practical ideas for action and policy.
• Government of Canada ecoAction
• Environment Canada's Climate Change
  These websites provide news and information on climate change reflecting current Canadian government policy and action on this issue.
• Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  This panel established by the World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Environment Programme in 1988 is a key source of information on the science of climate change.
• Mandate May 2009
  This issue of Mandate focuses on "Living for the Earth: Choosing Creation over Empire" and includes resources for learning about and responding to climate change.
• Pembina Institute
  An independent, non-profit environmental policy research and education organization in Alberta providing information on alternative energy, green economics, and sustainable communities.
• The Sierra Club of Canada
  Active in Canada since 1963, working on matters of public policy and ecological awareness including work on energy, climate change, and sustainable economy.
• Union of Concerned Scientists
  An independent nonprofit alliance of 50,000 concerned citizens and scientists across the United States working on issues related to climate change, clean energy, and related ecological concerns.

For more information, contact:

• Joy Kennedy
  Program Coordinator, Poverty, Wealth, and Ecology
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4069
  E-mail: Joy Kennedy