Pilgrims walking to the COP26 United Nations climate summit in Scotland converged on central Glasgow calling for climate justice for the global south. They urged reductions in fossil fuel use to keep global warming below the 1.5 degrees threshold, the cancellation of poor country debt and boosted finance to help countries experiencing the worst impacts of severe weather.
Shoppers cheered and welcomed around 500 pilgrims waving colourful banners and a group of Harry Potter characters leading a huge black serpent carried by 22 people and with “Capitalism” written on the side.
This was a reference to the system change urged by many Christian environmentalists and development workers who say that unjust and exploitative economic structures must change to better value the natural world and the wellbeing of poor communities. A “Coat of Hopes” comprised several hundred patches of rainbows, flowers and other images and messages of hope. Each patch was prepared by local communities throughout the UK and carried to Glasgow by the Camino to COP.
The camino, which left London in early September, has covered 450 miles, with 12 people doing the whole route. The Young Christian Climate Network Relay to COP covered a 1,200-mile route from Cornwall since June involving 2,500 walkers.
Both reported “profound engagement with faith communities” and are now involved in vigils and services during the summit. They were joined by ecumenical groups of pilgrims from Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Poland, inspired by the World Council of Churches. Also, supporters from such groups as CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund and Operation Noah. One group of three religious sisters were Columban, Carmelite and the Sisters of St Andrew. That evening churches across the UK rang their church bells to show local support for climate action.
As COP president and Conservative MP Alok Sharma opened the conference, faith events took place throughout the city. Christians joined other faiths in an outdoor COP26 vigil organised by Interfaith Glasgow and Interfaith Scotland.
Bishop William Nolan of Scotland Justice and Peace and Bishop John Arnold, environment lead for the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, were there to support. Bishop Nolan flagged up the Glasgow Declaration in September where faith leaders said: “To offer hope in the world we need to have confidence that those in power understand the vital role they have to play at the Glasgow COP26.”
Bishop Arnold said: “I hope that the world leaders are listening and will feel that their radical actions will be gladly endorsed by people throughout the world.”
Green Christian and eco- congregation events are running throughout the summit, based nearby at Govan and Linthouse parish church. An Earth Vigil is being held at various locations around Glasgow organised around the Glasgow Quaker Meeting House. The Iona Community was to hold a ‘Big Sing’ on COP26 themes outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Various events surrounding the summit itself included presentations by CIDSE – Catholic development agencies in Europe and North America - on ‘Climate Finance and Energy’ and ‘Loss and Damage’.
This weekend will see huge rallies in Glasgow and London with designated ‘faiths’ blocs. Before that in Glasgow, a 24-hour vigil will be streamed live internationally from a Glasgow parish organised by Scotland Justice and Peace, Columban Missionaries, Jesuits and many others.
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