Copenhagen countdown and beyond...…
Ben Jupp, Chair of Ely Social Responsibility Forum writes:
Most good books these days start with the author’s acknowledgements. What follows is no book but an acknowledgement and opportunity to thank those who are partly responsible, if they did but know it, for the Cathedral Environment Exhibition and Petition. They include:
- the Fairtrade Movement which has been at the centre of our lives for many decades (everytime we drink tea or coffee reminds us that we belong to one huge family within a global village)
- more recently the incessant labours of the Revd Nigel Cooper, Environmental Adviser to the Ely Diocese (Nigel’s wise leadership of an Ely Deanery Environmental Day and the sermon he preached in the Cathedral earlier this year were the immediate catalysts for the Exhibition and Petition)
- the support of the Dean and Chapter of Ely Cathedral who have given permission for this awesome building to be used for the Exhibition and Petition
- God our Creator and Sustainer of Planet Earth (amongst the scare stories about the future there is so much to enjoy in His creation – the brilliant flash of blue as the kingfisher flies past in search of its fishy meal in Soham Lode which runs past our patio and the incessant unmusical call of the reed warbler away now somewhere having completed its migratory journey to Africa)
- Pauline, my fellow traveller for many years, who thought that on my retirement earlier this year peace would descend (in spite of retirement I find myself busier than ever!)
The Exhibition
If, as is very likely, the threat to our life on the planet is real and not the figment of anyone’s fertile (scientific) imagination, our response should be all embracing. (I am aware that there is vociferous minority who hold an opposite view). We are therefore faced with a bewildering variety of personal choices.
What can You do next? is therefore the theme of the Exhibition to be held in the South West Transept of the Cathedral from 28th November for 2 weeks. The exhibition will be opened at 10am by the Right Revd Dr David Thomson, the Bishop of Huntingdon. Visitors to the Exhibition will have the opportunity, amongst other things, to take away an Information Sheet with examples of further action they may wish to take. A number of environmentalist groups will be exhibiting – local to this part of East Anglia, national and international. Perhaps most importantly of all, there will be exhibits from young people in the area who have been busy working on their project in recent weeks.
Signing the Petition
There will be two ways in which you can make your views known to the Government:
- Download the Petition Form here
Post it to me at 37b Mill Corner, Soham, Ely, CB7 5HT, after you have signed it either with your details on their own, or with those of friends, family or other churchgoers.
- Sign the Petition Form available in the Cathedral from 20th November
During the visit to the Diocese of the Right Revd Dr John Sentamu, Archbishop of York, on 20/21st November, the Petition Form will be available at the East End of the Cathedral as part of the Spirituality zone. From Sunday 22nd November it will be available just inside the West Door main entrance.
What happens to the Petition?
Together with the Revd Nigel Cooper and others, I will present the petitions made by 29th November (and sent to me if you are downloading it from this website) to No 10 Downing Street on 30th November in the presence of Mr James Paice, Member of Parliament for the Ely constituency. Petitions received by me or made in the Cathedral after 29th November won't be forgotten but this second batch will be presented via Mr James Paice at an Ely venue later. (You don't have to be a member of his constituency to sign the petition because it is directed to Her Majesty's Government. You can also sign more than one petition if, for example, you have done so elsewhere)
The Petition – an explanation
- It acknowledges our own responsibility to take action – the Exhibition will help you
- It calls on HMG to keep the promises it has already made and enshrined in the Climate Change Act
- It calls on HMG to use its undoubted influence in order to achieve a sufficient and effective outcome at the Copenhagen Conference and in subsequent international negotiations.
A final word - justice
Global warming or climate change is the single biggest threat to mankind that we are likely to face. We cannot simply wait around in the hope that someone, somewhere will find a way out. At the heart of all the discussion and reams that has been written, this is a justice issue. Already the developing world is suffering the effects of our often unthinking way of life – present injustice is plain to see as they try to cope with rising water levels and an increasing temperature. Our children, grandchildren and those yet to be borne will bear the brunt of the decisions which we make now – inter-generational injustice can be avoided, but whether it will be avoided, depends largely upon us.