Bishop Graham Usher of Norwich emphasized the moral duty of combating climate change and biodiversity loss in a speech to Church of England representatives. He commended efforts towards achieving Net Zero by 2030, noting significant advancements in energy efficiency among churches. The conference discussed the need for ongoing pressure on governments to address these critical issues, linking climate change and biodiversity loss as interconnected challenges.
Bishop Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment, emphasized the moral imperative of acting against climate change and biodiversity loss. Addressing a recent meeting of Church of England diocesan representatives, he commended the hard work towards achieving Net Zero by 2030 and creating biodiversity-friendly churchyards, initiatives supported by the General Synod.
Bishop Usher noted that the Net Zero program is gaining significant momentum, contributing to energy bill savings and ensuring ongoing sustainability for churches. He declared that taking action to combat climate change aligns with Christian compassion for those adversely affected by the crisis, as he remarked during his address at the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge, attended by around 120 diocesan officers and church representatives.
He articulated a connection between compassion for one another and the shared responsibility towards the vulnerable populations facing climate challenges, declaring, “If we truly believe that we are brothers and sisters in Christ we should have a concern and a compassion for where biodiversity and climate change loss is impacting people’s lives.”
In his speech, Bishop Usher highlighted successful practices from the Church of England’s Net Zero initiatives, such as St Peter Mancroft in Norwich, which serves as an exemplary church in energy efficiency, and King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, which has adopted solar energy practices. He emphasized that simple changes like the installation of LED lighting and solar panels can significantly reduce a church’s carbon footprint, whether situated in urban or rural settings.
Reflecting on his participation as a member of the Anglican delegation at the Cop16 United Nations biodiversity conference in Colombia, Bishop Usher stressed the urgency of compelling governments to meet climate targets. He stated, “Climate change and biodiversity are two sides of the same coin,” underscoring that efforts toward one must encompass considerations for the other.
The message conveyed by Bishop Graham Usher highlights the moral obligation of Churches to address climate change and biodiversity loss through active participation and sustainability efforts. By fostering compassion for those affected by the climate crisis, the Church of England aims to lead by example in implementing energy-efficient practices. Bishop Usher’s insights reflect the interconnected nature of climate and biodiversity issues and the importance of governmental action in achieving environmental goals.
Original Source: anglican.ink
