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What churches can do about climate change

by
01 November 2013

iStock

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

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