Action for climate justice

After hearing from our Asia-Pacific friends at Voices for Justice about the devastating impact of climate change in their countries, we felt called to take stronger action to ensure climate justice for the poor in 2010. On this page you'll find information and action ideas to help ensure climate justice for the poor.

What is the impact of Copenhagen on the poor?

In the midst of global commentary on Copenhagen and the ongoing debate about an Emissions Trading Scheme in Australia, Micah Challenge is calling Christians not to forget the world's poor.

"In many parts of the world, climate change threatens progress toward the MDGs. Already there are an estimated 150 000 extra deaths each year because of climate change, most of them children. Far from making poverty history, climate change threatens to make poverty permanent", said National Coordinator of Micah Challenge Australia, Mr. John Beckett.

There is widespread disappointment at the deal brokered by world leaders at Copenhagen. While the commitment by a vast majority of leaders to keep warming below 2 degrees centigrade is encouraging, the current Copenhagen deal, with the absence of concrete targets, cannot guarantee a limit on warming. That spells disastrous effects for the world's poor... MORE

Click here to download a media release from Micah Challenge in response to the climate change negotiations.

Pray for creation and for the poor

Creator God, We thank you for the beauty of your Creation, and for giving us the privilege of caring for it. We confess that we have not cared for the earth with the self-sacrificing and nurturing love that you require of us. We mourn the broken relationships in creation. We repent for our part in causing the current environmental crisis that has led to climate change.

Faithful God, sustainer of all - we pray with hope, because you are already at work through Christ to reconcile all of creation to Yourself and to renew all things.
Loving God, help us to turn our lives around to be people of restoration. Help us build just relationships among human beings and with the rest of creation. Help us to live sustainably, rejecting consumerism and the exploitation of creation.
God of justice, give us courage and persistence to work for justice for those most affected by environmental degradation and climate change.
God of mercy, hear the cry of the poor who are already suffering and will continue to suffer water and food shortages and who will be displaced by climate change.
God of all wisdom, give wisdom to the leaders of the world's nations. Let them work together for a global agreement to tackle climate change. Give them the determination to find a just solution that protects the people who are most vulnerable in our world, and protects creation.
Creator God, give us your Spirit to work together to restore your creation and to hand on a safe environment and climate to our children and theirs. Let our care for creation be our act of worship and obedience to you. Your kingdom come, and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.

Learn more about faith and climate change

Micah Challenge believes that, as people of compassion, Christians should be taking the lead on climate justice. We also believe there is a strong biblical basis for taking action in this area.
Click here to download the Micah Challenge Theology of Climate Change paper (PDF).
Click here to read the Micah Network Declaration on Creation Stewardship and Climate Change and Statement to World Leaders.
Click here to visit our research page with more reports on a Christian response to environmental issues.

Write to your MP

We encourage you to take the time to write a letter about climate justice to your elected Member of Parliament. As a member of the community they represent, it's their job to take your concerns seriously.
Click here for more information on letter writing and contacting your politician.
Click here to download a letter writing guide on climate change.

Micah Challenge Faith and Creation Blog

If you're interested in exploring your faith through blogging, join the Micah Challenge group on the A Climate for Change social networking site - post your prayers and contribute to the discussion about faith and creation. Click here to visit the blog.

You can also join and participate in the UN Climate trackers group and take action to express your concern about climate change and the impact on the poor. Click here to visit the Climate Trackers group.