What the Scientists Are Saying

Magazine articles This is a resource sheet for Operation Noah, the community climate change campaign. Further modules can be downloaded from www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah (your local library will be able to help you if you do not have internet access at home), or by telephone from 01949 861516. Operation Noah is a project of Christian Ecology Link, registered charity number 327844.

Article for the edition for two months before the But crucially the Climate Covenant is also an Presentation: undertaking to take action oneself. They thought Noah was mad ... but he soon rose above  Take action yourself: There are plenty of it. simple things you can do to cut down on the greenhouse gases you create. The most Concerned about what climate change means for the effective is to switch your electricity supply to one future? of the renewable energy products available on Feel that there’s nothing you can do? the market. Now you can build an Ark for the 21st century. Spread the word to family, friends and colleagues, and help them on board. Operation Noah is coming to [name of church] on [date of presentation] [Your name and phone number] Building a climate of justice

Two alternative articles for the month of the ‘The eyes of all creatures look to you, and you give them presentation: their food in due season’ Psalm 145 (NB there are lots of other magazine articles on climate These words are a testament to the ceaseless work of change and other environmental issues on the CEL web the weather. It is the earth’s climate which sustains site) God’s gift of life and growth. As part of creation we rely on God’s solemn promise to Noah and every succeeding generation – that he would maintain a stable climate. Who foots the energy bill? Now this ancient covenant is under threat from human The way we treat our planet says a lot about the way we behaviour. The world is experiencing an upsurge in treat its Creator. And there is no more complex and flooding, drought and damaging storms. It is being serious environmental challenge than climate change. caused mainly by industrialised countries burning oil, coal and gas. The world is experiencing an upsurge in flooding, drought and damaging storms. It is caused mainly by The UK is contributing more to these climate changes industrialised countries burning oil, coal and gas. than whole of Africa. But the worst effects are being felt in poor countries. By the end of the century, rising sea The UK is contributing more to these climate changes levels and crop failures could create 150 million than the whole of Africa. But the worst effects are being refugees. Even in the UK, 5 million people are at risk felt in poor countries. By the end of the century, rising from increased flood and storm damage. sea levels and crop failures could create 150 million refugees. Even in the UK, 5 million people are at risk The effects are already being seen in microcosm in the from increased flood and storm damage. island of Tuvalu in the south Pacific. Sea levels are rising at between a quarter and half an inch a year. The However no plan exists to protect the climate, and the wells on Tuvalu are beginning to be infiltrated by life which depends on it. Greenhouse gas emissions are seawater. The islanders are having to be evacuated. In continuing to escalate, when we could be harnessing fifty years time, the island will be uninhabitable, and may safer sources of energy. The poor and future even have drowned without trace. Its people will lose generations will pay the price. their land, their heritage, their memories, even their Now [name of church] is going to help you make a identity. difference, by taking part in a nationwide programme The scale of the suffering which lies in prospect is called Operation Noah. Operation Noah helps you to enormous. And it is all the more poignant because it is create a climate of justice for the poor and future those least responsible – the poor – who are at greatest generations. Over the next ten years, working with risk. Meanwhile the rich who are causing it can afford to churches and community groups, it aims to bring all defend themselves – up to a point. sectors of society together to act against climate change. On the basis of scientific advice, it is thought that Operation Noah gives you the power to build a clean and worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases must be just economy, in three easy steps. reduced by at least 60% by 2050. This can be achieved  Sign the Climate Covenant to build support for if we switch to renewable sources of energy, instead of a just resolution to human-made global warming. continuing to burn fossil fuels. A global treaty is needed to ensure that we act together greenhouse gases you create. The most to protect the poor and future generations. However no effective is to switch your electricity supply to one plan exists to achieve reductions of the scale necessary. of the renewable energy products available on Instead emissions are continuing to escalate. the market. It is hard enough to grasp the scale of the problem. It is  Spread the word to family, friends and colleagues, harder still to know what to do. and help them on board. But now you can make a difference, by taking part in The way we treat our planet says a lot about the way we Operation Noah. Operation Noah helps you to create a treat its Creator. And there is no more complex and climate of justice for the poor and future generations. serious environmental challenge than climate change. Over the next ten years, working with churches and With Operation Noah you can make a difference. community groups, it aims to bring all sectors of society together to act against climate change. Please sign the card in the The future is in your hands leaflet enclosed or at the back of your local church, tear Operation Noah gives you the power to build a clean and it off and send it back to Operation Noah. If you would just economy, in three easy steps. like materials to tell your church or community, please ask for a pack.  Sign the Climate Covenant to build support for a just resolution to human-made global warming. But crucially the Climate Covenant is also an undertaking to take action oneself.  Take action yourself: There are plenty of simple things you can do to cut down on the