THE Archbishop of Wales, the Most Revd Andrew John, is hosting a summit this week to talk about the pollution of Welsh rivers — and says that it is a chance to show that the Christian faith is “not only about worship within our walls but goes far beyond and into the heart of what matters to the people of Wales”.
The Restoring Welsh Rivers Summit, which takes place on 7 and 8 November, in Cardiff, brings together more than 90 people, including scientists, farmers, environmentalists, and water-industry representatives to discuss means of improving water quality.
Archbishop John said that river pollution had become a critical issue, particularly with regard to the water quality of the Wye and the Usk. “This summit is a powerful opportunity for the Church in Wales to demonstrate that we do much more than just lead hymns on Sundays,” he said.
“We are deeply connected to the everyday lives of the people of Wales, and that gives us a right — and a responsibility — to speak on issues that affect their health, well-being, and future. Environmental issues such as polluted waterways, flooding, soil degradation, and so on, touches everyone in this country. As an institution that serves and cares for society, we see it as our business to be part of the solution. The well-being of the land and the people are interconnected, and when the environment suffers, so too does the health and prosperity of our communities.”
The Archbishop was pleased to see how well the non-church stakeholders involved in the issue had responded to the involvement of the Church in Wales. He said: “I’ve been truly heartened by the positive response from so many. Environmental experts, charities, and advocacy groups have been incredibly supportive. They see the Church as a powerful ally, and I believe they welcome our involvement because we can reach people in places that other organisations might struggle to engage.”
He said that in Wales, where one third of the population live in rural areas, connection to the natural environment was key to people’s way of life. He explained: “When we protect the environment, we’re protecting our communities, recognising that the health of the earth and the well-being of its people are deeply connected. In Wales, this connection is even more pronounced, as so much of our culture and economy is tied to the land. By engaging in nature protection, we are fulfilling our moral obligation to care for both creation and our neighbours.”
For the Archbishop, caring about the environment is also a direct response to God’s instruction in Genesis to be stewards of creation. He said: “When we engage in protecting nature, we are honouring that sacred calling. There is also a strong sense of justice behind this work. It is often the poorest and most vulnerable among us who bear the brunt of environmental degradation, and standing up for nature is a way of standing in solidarity with those who are most affected.”
The summit has been timed to coincide with Wales Climate Week, which takes place on the eve of COP29, the annual UN climate summit, taking place this year in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11 November. The meeting has been dubbed the “Finance COP”, with the main focus being the need for countries to agree a new funding stream for poor and vulnerable countries that need support to deal with the impact of climate change and to help them invest in renewable energy.
The Labour Government is also expected to announce a national climate plan, called a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which all countries are required to submit before February 2025. These plans, intended to be more ambitious each time, are what make up the Paris Agreement.