Christian Aid - Bearing Witness - Day Of Action & Prayer On Climate Change

News from Christian Aid:

Bearing Witness - Day Of Action & Prayer On Climate Change, Manchester, Saturday 1st October, 12 – 7.30pm

On the eve of the Conservative Party conference, hundreds of supporters of Christian Aid, Cafod and Tearfund – along with other SCC charities – will be travelling to Manchester to take part in an inspiring day of campaigning and worship on the issues of climate change and global poverty.

We will:

• learn from overseas partners who are living on the frontline of climate change, 
• worship together at a special ecumenical service in the Anglican cathedral, 
• form a procession through the city to speak out for the world’s poor, who are already suffering first and worst from the effects of a changing climate, and
• call on our government to honour their promise to be the ‘greenest government ever’ and take strong action on tackling climate change.

Come and join us! For more details, contact Christian Aid on 0207 523 2264 or register online at http://www.christianaid.org.uk/bearingwitness

If you would like to travel down with our staff team leaving from Glasgow on the day, do contact dgreen@christian-aid.org who can make arrangements.  They are hoping to travel by train, on the day itself and have lunch together.  They would very much like to have you along with them.

Hope for Creation - a global day of prayer and action on climate change.

Hope for Creation is an event on Sunday 6th November which is being organised internationally and promoted in the UK by Tearfund..

A range of resources to help your church get involved are on the web site: http://www.hopeforcreation.org/

Endorsements for Hope for Creation: 

‘The impacts of a changing climate are devastating for our global neighbours living in poor countries. A global problem demands a global response and Hope for Creation provides a way for the church to join that response – standing together to pray and work for action.’  - Sir John Houghton 

‘Hope for Creation unites the power of prayer with the promise of action. It’s a great way for churches to support communities devastated by the consequences of climate change.’ – Pete Greig, 24-7Prayer & Alpha International 

‘The church’s response to the devastating impacts of climate change on poor communities must embody the passion of Jesus for social justice through united prayer and political engagement  – Hope for Creation is exactly that. Coming together in prayer, action and campaigning is what is needed and Hope for Creation is a timely opportunity for us to do just that.’  – Elfed Godding, National Director Evangelical Alliance Wales

Abundance Edinburgh - can you help?

Abundance Edinburgh is a climate challenge funded project in Edinburgh which collects surplus fruit grown in the city and redistributes it to charities or put it to other good uses.

They currently need help locating fruit sources in Edinburgh and with storage for their equipment. Maybe one of our eco-congregations can help? Here is a message from Abundance Edinburgh:

We are a group of people interested in putting to good use fruit that would otherwise go to waste and organise associated events around this. In Edinburgh, we harvest fruit from gardens, do some foraging and have also picked apples at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital's orchard. We give some of the fruit away (for example, last year some went to the Grassmarket Project) and use some to promote seasonal and local food (for example, we did some preserving workshops and had a public apple pressing event). We have some equipment at our disposal, including several apple presses (thanks to the City of Edinburgh Council).
We're looking to spread the word about our activities both to get more people who are interested in picking fruit and using it but also to reach out to people with fruit trees that aren't able to harvest them themselves or who have too much fruit than they know what to do with. We're also on the look out for partnering up with other groups to do events with and to create local Abundance cells.
We currently have a problem at the moment in that we don't have any premises of our own and are using a variety of private and public spaces to store equipment and fruit in harvest season. This could potentially be where the Eco Congregations might like to get involved with Abundance Edinburgh - some churches might have spare cellars or rooms that could be used as local hubs for fruit storage and distribution.

You can contact Abundance Edinburgh through their web site:

http://www.abundanceedinburgh.com/about/

A leaflet is available to download here (pdf file).

Church of Scotland enters team in fuel efficient car rally.

A team from the church offices in George Street will be taking part in a fuel efficient car rally on 1st September. The Fuel Efficient Driving Experience is being organised as part of the GreenFleet Scotland event at Ingliston.

The contest will find the best Eco-Driver in Scotland with the following teams taking part:

1. EAE Ltd
2. City Car Club
3. Eco-Fleet Driving Management
4. City of Edinburgh Council
5. NHS Tayside & Highlands
6. Dumfries & Galloway Constabulary
7. Church of Scotland
8. Scottish Ambulance Service
9. Lothian & Borders and Tayside Fire Service
10. Scottish Government

Organisers say:

We have a defending champion involved, as well as an organisation that has been 3rd and 2nd, and looking to go one better. This year also sees the Battle of the Public Sector with local authority and NHS teams taking part, and there is sure to be fierce competition between the police, fire and ambulance teams as well. That then leaves the fight between the private sector. All in all, we're on for a cracking challenge on the day.

Interest free loans from Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust is providing interest free loans to charities and community groups (including churches) to encourage them to install renewable energy technologies or measures that reduce energy consumption.

The full details, including the application forms, can be found here:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/Business-and-Public-Sector-in-Scotland/Grants-loans-awards/Small-business-loans

This is a key resource and a great opportunity for eco-congregations to carry out work on their biuldings and reduce their carbon footprint.

Grants of up to £500 available for local environmental projects in Scotland

CSV's Action Earth's Award Scheme has been launched. The scheme will provide grants of up to £500 for local environmental projects and runs until 31 October 2011.

Here are the details and a link to the web site where you can apply:

If you are planning an environmental activity using volunteers or you think you can come up with a good project that improves biodiversity in your area, then you could be eligible for a CSV Action Earth grant.  We want to empower people to take action in their community and our campaign offers three easy-to-access grants ranging from £50 to £500 to cover , materials tools and expenses, and can make a big difference to an event.  The CSV Action Earth campaign is supported one again by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

We aim to help projects and groups attract new volunteers to their work.  Last year over 10,000 CSV Action Earth volunteers were involved in projects such as improving wildlife habitats by clearing and planting, turning derelict wasteland into bee-friendly wildflower meadows, creating ponds and footpaths, tagging sharks, building and installing bat and bird boxes, improving woodland and a whole range of other environmental tasks.  Already this year we have almost 100 active projects, and hope to almost double this number.
Grants will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so please register quickly.  Projects can apply NOW.  You can apply on-line, download forms or get more information including details of current projects at www.actionearth.org.uk.  If you wish to discuss project ideas or any issues relating to the campaign, please contact Robert Henderson on 0131 222 9083.

Radio programme about Vatican report on Climate Change

The BBC World Service reported recently on the Vatican report on Climate Change.

"The Vatican has published a report calling for mankind to take "decisive action" on climate change. In a new report on glacier melt, the Vatican's Pontifical Academy of Sciences appeals to all nations to reduce their impact on the environment, as "we all live in the same home". But will the faithful listen, and will the Catholic church be able to rouse humanity to action on climate change where so many other international leaders have struggled? One Planet goes behind the scenes at the Vatican to talk to Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, chancellor of the Academy of Sciences, about the report. 

Also on the show, we ask whether science and religion can ever be compatible - we get opposing views from Professor Richard Dawkins and Chancellor Sanchez Sorondo.
Plus, we check out the Vatican's solar panels, talk to the pilgrims on St Peter's Square, and check out the view from the tallest building in the world's smallest state."

You can hear a recording of the programme here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/p00gy4jj/

If your Church is considering solar panels then you should come to our conference.

Eco-Congregation Scotland and the Church of Scotland would like to invite you to a conference which will look at options and challenges of installing solar panels in church buildings. The conference will take place on 29 October, 10am-3.30pm, in Partick South Church Glasgow.

This is a practical conference with speakers from congregations who have carried out solar panel installations and energy conservation projects.

Full details here:

http://www.ecocongregationscotland.org/events/solar-panels-in-church-buildings/

Faiths have people power.

Interesting article by Ian Christie (Fellow of the Centre for Environmental Strategy, University of Surrey) in Moving Mountains - how can faith shape our future? published by Forum For the Future:

...... faiths have people power: four in five of us are, to some extent, members of faith communities. If just a fraction of this huge body of believers were to connect their faith to sustainable development and act accordingly, with the support of their institutions, the gains could be world-changing.
(from A World of Faith by Ian Christie)

Read the full publication containing this article here (pdf file).

Screening of the film "Just Do It" in Edinburgh

This event in Edinburgh may be of interest:

Thursday 11th August, Saturday 13th - Monday 15th Edinburgh Filmhouse.
Tickets available from the Filmhouse.

Just Do It - a tale of modern-day outlaws 
a film by Emily James

Just Do It lifts the lid on climate activism and the daring troublemakers who have crossed the line to become modern day outlaws. Emily James spent over a year embedded in activist groups such as Climate Camp and Plane Stupid to document their clandestine activities. With unprecedented access, Just Do It introduces you to a powerful cast of mischievous and inspiring characters who put their bodies in the way; they blockade factories, attack coal power stations and glue themselves to the trading floors of international banks despite the very real threat of arrest.

Their adventures will entertain, illuminate and inspire.

"Rousing stuff" **** EMPIRE

"Smart, funny, adrenalised portrait of 21st-century activism" Danny Leigh, The Guardian

Watch the trailer here.

The screening at on the 11th August will be followed by a Q&A with director Emily James and activist Dan Glass. Presented by Take One Action, Scotland's global action cinema project.

Thursday 11th - 6pm
Saturday 13th - 1:20pm
Sunday 14th - 6pm
Monday 15th - 6pm

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Key behaviour changes in combating climate change.

The following is a list of ten personal behaviours which the Scottish Government has identified as being key to reducing Scotland's carbon emissions. Eco-Congregation Scotland already addresses many of these through our programme, but we thought it would be useful to circulate the list. They are all relatively small and achievable changes. Which of these are you addressing in your personal lifestyle?




Key Behaviour Areas Set

Home Energy
1. Installing a more efficient energy system or generating your own. (Replacing inefficient boilers with condensing boiler and/or microgeneration (e.g. solar water heating, biomass boiler, heat pump))
2. Keeping the heat in. (Insulation, draught proofing, double glazing)
3. Better heating management (Turning down heating thermostat to between 18C-21C, reducing the hours heating is on, and turning down hot water thermostat [to a max of 60 degrees]).
4. Saving electricity (Buying energy efficient appliances, lightbulbs, TVs and other products, when these need to be replaced. Washing clothes at low temperatures.)


Transport
5. Becoming less reliant on the car. (Walking, cycling, using public transport and/or car sharing instead of driving)
6. Driving more efficiently (Using a low carbon vehicle [fuel efficient, hybrid, alternative fuel or electric] and
following eco-driving principles)
7. Using alternatives to flying where practical (e.g. train or teleconferencing for business)

Food 
8. Avoiding food waste
9. Eating a healthy diet high in fruit and vegetables, locally in season where we live

Consumption 
10. Reducing and Reusing (This could involve reusing and repairing products to give them a second use and only replacing when necessary. Avoiding unnecessary packaging.)


(From Scottish Government CLIMATE CHANGE BEHAVIOURS RESEARCH PROGRAMME UPDATE: FEBRUARY 2011)

Job Vacancy at Church of Scotland Climate Change Project

Could you help the Church of Scotland respond to climate change?  We are looking for someone to work part time to help run the climate change project.  If you are interested take a look at our website, but hurry, as the closing date is Monday 8 August. Ring me if you would like to know more.

Adrian Shaw (0131 225 5722)

Further details here:

http://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about_us/vacancies_and_volunteering/vacancies/administrator_climate_change

Ever wondered where the Eco-Congregation Award plaques come from?

Our Eco-Congregation Award plaques are made by the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh, from old church pews. You can read an interesting article about their work with unemployed people here: http://gh.cm/qIdIV3