Happy anniversary, COP!

To mark the 30th anniversary of the annual climate gathering, members of BUEN – the Baptist Union Environment Network – have recorded messages of gratitude and lament as well as their calls for action. 

It is hoped the messages will inspire the family of Baptist churches to prayer, explains BUEN convenor Dave Gregory 

Significant anniversary and birthdays – often with a zero in their number – are worth celebrating. A time to perhaps gather with family and friends, to look back and give thanks for the journey shared. And to look ahead to hopes and dreams for the future and offer comfort to one another over fears and uncertainty. A time to make changes, set targets or make a bucket list of things to do in the next season of life. A time of laughter but tears too as lost opportunities and people much missed are remembered and lamented over.

This might also describe the annual climate gathering COP which meets this year in Belem in Amazonia, Brazil from the 10- 21 November. A significant anniversary as it's COP30 – the 30th anniversary of these world gatherings since COP1 in Berlin in 1995.

To mark this moment, members of BUEN – the Baptist Union Environment Network – from across the Baptist regions have recorded and written anniversary messages for COP30. Giving thanks for what has been achieved over the past 30 years and their hopes for the future.  

Also lamenting over failures to agree and implement practical action to stem the continuing increase carbon emissions and the rise in global temperatures, now reaching 1.5 degrees centigrade above pre-industrial levels. This is the level that COP21 in Paris a decade ago set as a target for the end of the century – 75 years hence – needed to prevent the most severe impacts upon people and nature. If breaching the limit 75 years early is not a wake-up call, I don’t know what is.

The short films will be released on the BUEN Facebook page through the period of COP. They can be streamed from the BUEN YouTube channel.
 

Other members of BUEN have written their greetings and prayers;  
 
Martin Harris, member of Fernhill Heath Baptist Church in HEBA, and one of only three Gold Eco-Churches within Baptists Together, prays that 'COP 30 will be convicted of a firm resolve to meaningfully tackle the crisis we face, and that commitments made - both past and now - may be matched by firm and decisive action.'

While Mike Green, a member of Cemetery Road Baptist Church in Sheffield - part of the Yorkshire Baptist Association - which is committed to practically reducing the carbon footprint of church and community life, together with standing with those most affected by climate change, shared this message with COP30; 'We’re thankful for how these gatherings have lifted the world’s awareness and shaped action, especially where places of worship, communities and young people have led the way.  

'But with 1.5°C almost upon us, we pray COP30 in Brazil will move from promises to pace; to a fast, fair, funded phase-out of fossil fuels, finance for adaptation and loss and damage that reaches frontline communities impacted by climate change and protection of nature and indigenous peoples.  

'Lord, give courage to leaders and compassion to all of us, that this 30th COP brings real action for a just and liveable future. Amen.'

The world has changed much since COP1 in Berlin in 1995. But perhaps through these last 30 years one thing remains the same. Too often the focus has been upon responding to the pressure of the immediate and urgent rather than the call of the important.

It’s the biggest, loudest and most certain voices that call for attention rather than those of the smallest, humblest and most vulnerable. That’s true of the social and political world. Perhaps it might be said of the Baptist family too.

And yet, Isaiah looks ahead to Jesus coming as one who 'will not shout or cry out or raise his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on the earth. In his law the islands will out their hope.'  (Isa 42:2-4)

With the political atmosphere about climate change becoming again more negative, and the slow pace of progress in mitigating its impacts, it is easy to be discouraged. Discouraged too by the smallness of the profile, inadequate attention to and resourcing of environmental mission and sustainability within Baptists Together.

Yet, as with COP30, there are encouragements too. The inclusion of care of creation within the Mission Forum resolution on mission alongside evangelism and social justice give hope.  

And walking forward alongside Jesus into these changing climates, with the one who 'will not be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth' inspires us to endure on the journey.

Our hope is these messages from BUEN to COP30 will inspire the family of Baptist churches to prayer – by showing the films in their churches gatherings or shaping their own prayers by the ones written by member of BUEN.  

And inspire us all in a following of Jesus that more deeply responds to his commission to 'go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation' (Mk 16:15), sharing in God’s mission to bring hope and redemption to people and all creation.


Image | Official COP 30 photograph | Lula oficial | Wikimedia Commons | Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

 

Dave Gregory, Baptist Minister and Mission for Science and Environment, and Convenor, BUEN – Baptist Union Environment Network

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