From Canon John Foskett
Sir, - For two weeks running, the Church Times
carried news of positive developments to meet the challenge of the
recent Inter-Governmental Conference in Sweden on Global Warming
and Climate Change. It is now clear that, if we go on using fossils
fuels as we do at present, our planet and life upon it will change
out of all recognition.
First, in your 11 October edition, the Quakers propose
disinvesting in companies that extract fossil fuels from the earth
(News, 11 October). One
of the features on social finance has examples of how communities
and churches can invest in projects offering a social return. One
example is of a church in Manchester which, funded by community
shares, installed solar panels. In the first year, they saved £350
on electricity bills, and made £1500 through the feed-in tariff to
create a fund for "Sunshine Grants".
On 18 October, there is news of the Bishops' initiative to join
local credit unions as another way to help finance social projects
and help for the poor (News,
18 October). And the Church Investors Group claims success in
influencing companies to reduce carbon emissions.
This is all good news for those of us trying to persuade
congregations and national Churches to address this natural and
human catastrophe before it is too late, if not for us, then for
our children and grandchildren.
The Manchester church has set us a positive example of what can
be done both to save expense and help the planet. Imagine how much
could be achieved if every church, church hall, and clergy house
were furnished with aesthetically satisfying PVC solar panels.
JOHN FOSKETT
Victoria Cottage, 8 Cornwall Road
Dorchester DT1 1RT