Logo

 

Banner Image:   National-News-banner-Purple
Template Mode:   Baptist Times
Icon
    Post     Tweet

Churches' Disappointment at Rio Summit 


Three major British Churches have voiced their disappointment that the Rio+20 Earth Summit has not made progress on the environmental challenges that face the global community

Churches disapointment at Rio
 
The Methodist Church, United Reformed Church and Baptist Union of Great Britain say that world leaders have largely repeated previous climate pledges, rather than pressing forward.

The summit had aimed to stimulate the green economy, but its declaration in the summit document The Future We Want puts the green economy as just one pathway to sustainable development.

It ended on Friday and its outcome was roundly criticised by environmental groups and politicians.
And the churches said the pledges in the document are an 'inadequate response to the risks posed by climate change'.

'Whilst we're pleased that international leaders recognise the plight of the planet and the lives of many living in poverty, we are disappointed in the lack of clear action coming out of Rio+20,' said the Revd Roberta Rominger, general secretary of the United Reformed Church.

'We welcome the $175bn fund pledge to boost sustainable transport in developing economies,' she continued.

'However, developed nations must now find innovative ways to resource a Green Fund to help developing countries create low carbon economies.'
'We also regret that the summit has declined to identify a timescale or plan of action for the phasing out of subsidies for fossil fuels.'

The Revd Jonathan Edwards, general secretary of the Baptist Union of Great Britain said, "The world is only slowly waking up to the fact that our present consumption levels are unsustainable.

'I believe that churches should not only call on governments to live more sustainably, but set an example in how this can be done through reducing our carbon footprints.'

Methodist Youth President, Sam Taylor, also expressed frustration with the weakness of the Rio+20 communique: 'Without targets and dates, it's just words on paper. Will we be in the same position in another twenty years?

'The lives of future generations will be affected if we fail to act now on climate change.

'The final communiquŽ does not set out a path towards the future we want. We can and must do more.'
 

    Post     Tweet
Pictorial record of Baptist churches and chapels hits three figures
There are now 100 images of Baptist churches and chapels on a special page of the Baptist Historical Society website - and the Society would like this to grow further, it explains
'An excellent prompt for some important and encouraging conversations'
An account of a reading and reflection group created to help men be better allies in the wake of Project Violet
The Psalms and Hymns Support Fund - 100 years of help
April marks the centenary of the founding of a small Baptist charity that has been able to offer support in later years to those who have lived sacrificially in serving the Lord and his people and mission. By Ian Millgate
Baptist Assembly 2025 to begin a journey towards a national resolution on mission
Baptists Together Mission Forum will offer a resolution about mission aimed to inspire, unite and release us into God’s purposes
Baptists and Communion: Baptist Theology North 2025
Baptist Theology North, a one-day consultation which took place on 28 March, was packed this year, writes Sally Nelson
Churches ‘dismayed’ by the police raid on a Quaker Meeting House
Churches Together in England General Secretary Bishop Mike Royal has written an open letter to the Metropolitan Police Commissioner requesting a review and a meeting to prevent such an incident happening again
     Latest News 
    Posted: 07/01/2025
    Posted: 07/01/2025
     
    Text Size:  
    Small (Default)
    Medium
    Large
    Contrast:  
    Normal
    High Contrast