Activists from climate action networks, including members of the Climate Justice Coalition, marked the Global Day of Action for Climate Justice last Saturday by taking part in COP28 marches and rallies throughout the UK.
Coinciding with the final days of the climate summit in Dubai, the London gathering brought together Christian groups including CAFOD, Christian Aid, Tearfund, Christian Climate Action, Operation Noah, Green Christian, Laudato Si’ Movement, Westminster Justice and Peace, Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology and Quakers.
A Jesuit Missions group gathered at Farm Street Church where they prayed for vulnerable people experiencing climate change and called on global leaders to take action. Salesian Fr Martin Poulsom, Jesuit Fr Dominic Robinson and Columbans Fr Ed O’Connell and Fr Kevin McDonagh were among those who took part, along with Columban Sister Kate Midgley, two Sisters of St Andrew and one Medical Mission Sister. Laity included Chris and Clare Myers from the parish of Our Lady and St Joseph in New Hartley, Hexham and Newcastle Diocese, who had also been involved in the lobby at COP26 in Glasgow two years ago.
Cafod, Christian Aid and Tearfund led prayers outside the offices of BP in St James Square.
Izzy McIntosh of Global Justice Now noted that fossil fuels were on the COP28 agenda “because of action from the streets” and spoke up in support of a fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty, which is beingspearheaded by the Pacific Island States. Faith communities were thanked by organisers for keeping alive the “moral courage” needed today.
Operation Noah said on social media: “Fossil fuel companies like BP and Shell are overheating the planet, underinvesting in renewables and continuing to explore for new oil and gas against international warnings. We can’t have new fossil fuel developments if we hope to limit global heating to 1.5C.” One prominent banner read: “Political leaders listen up! Temperatures are rising. Corporate profits are rising. Now we’re rising.”
The London rally was one of around 40 throughout the country. In Birmingham, Columban staff joined Cafod supporters and Laudato Si’ animators on a march through the city centre, carrying banners made by the pupils of St Bernard’s Catholic Primary School.
In Scotland, campaigners from Justice and Peace Scotland, Eco-Congregation Scotland and Christian Aid Scotland joined interfaith partners outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh to add their voice to support a fast, fair and financed global end to fossil fuels.
Graham Gordon, head of policy at Cafod, criticised the UK government for the scale of direct and indirect investments in fossil fuel companies. “The government has again missed an opportunity to act decisively on climate change.”
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