Bishop Graham Usher of Norwich emphasized the moral imperative to act on climate change, highlighting the Church of England’s initiatives towards achieving Net Zero by 2030 and enhancing biodiversity in churchyards. He called for ongoing governmental pressure to meet climate and biodiversity goals, asserting that both issues are interconnected.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, emphasized the significance of taking action against climate change, describing it as the ‘right thing to do’ and a demonstration of Christian compassion towards those impacted by the climate crisis. Speaking to Church of England representatives, Bishop Usher expressed gratitude for their efforts to achieve Net Zero by 2030 and support for biodiversity in churchyards, initiatives endorsed by the General Synod.
Bishop Usher noted that the Net Zero initiative is gaining momentum, leading to reduced energy costs for churches and fostering sustainability for future generations. He addressed a gathering at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, attended by 120 Diocesan Environment and Net Zero officers, highlighting the link between compassion and global efforts to combat biodiversity loss and climate change.
The Bishop underscored the Church of England’s achievements in the Net Zero programme, citing St Peter Mancroft as a leading example of energy efficiency, along with the installation of solar panels at King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. He pointed out that churches can adopt various eco-friendly measures, such as solar panels and energy-efficient LED lighting, to significantly lower their carbon footprint.
Drawing on his experience from an Anglican delegation at the COP16 UN biodiversity conference in Cali, Colombia, Bishop Usher stressed the importance of continued governmental pressure to meet climate and biodiversity targets. He asserted that “Climate change and biodiversity are two sides of the same coin,” underscoring that efforts to conserve and restore environments must be aligned with climate action to be effective.
The meeting included insights from Dr. Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley, who spoke about the climate change emergency, particularly its effects on polar regions, emphasizing the urgency of reflecting on these critical issues within the context of environmental preservation.
In conclusion, the Bishop of Norwich has firmly advocated for urgent climate action as a manifestation of Christian compassion. The initiatives undertaken by the Church of England, including the Net Zero programme, serve both ecological and economic purposes. As churches strive for sustainability, their efforts to mitigate climate change demand consistent commitment, emphasizing that climate action and biodiversity conservation must be pursued concurrently.
Original Source: anglican.ink
