‘Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.‘ 1 John 3: 18 (NRSV)
As Christians, we are called to care for God’s gift of creation, and to love our neighbours near and far. Responding to the climate crisis is an essential part of our responsibility to safeguard God’s creation and achieve a just world. Climate change hits hardest the poorest countries and poorest people of the world. Meantime, the widespread destruction of the natural world is a crisis for creation.
A General Election is due in the UK in 2024. With many important topics competing for attention, the Church of England Environment Working Group (EWG) has produced a handy guide to use help keep the environment high up on the list of issues which all political parties are concerned about. Climate change and biodiversity loss should form part of election campaigning and policy making in the new parliament.
The Church of EWG has identified five current environmental policy areas. You could choose one or more to bring up with a candidate or party member on the doorstep, to form a question to ask at a hustings event, or to help you write a letter to your candidates. You could also use the information to comment on social media, in discussion with family and friends, or as a starting point for intercessions.
There are also some ideas to help you if you want to take things further and explore more deeply.
And finally, there is some information about how to find out who your MP is. You can download the guide here.