The first nationwide ‘Ring out for Climate!’ took place on the eve of COP 26 in Glasgow in 2021, as world leaders met together to discuss the urgency of the Climate Crisis.
COP is the UN climate change conference where world leaders, politicians and experts discuss climate change on a global level. This year COP 27 takes place in Egypt, in a region of the world that is already paying a high price for climate change.
Bishop Graham is the lead bishop for the environment and said;
“I am happy to endorse a second nationwide ‘Ring out for Climate!’ on the eve of the COP27 as a reminder of the necessity to commit to and build on the promises made at Glasgow last year. As I heard first-hand from many other bishops at this summer’s Lambeth Conference the impact of climate change is being daily experienced, especially in the world’s economically poorest and most vulnerable countries who are not the nations that have caused this emergency. We must work together to safeguard our wonderful single island planet home and care for all God’s creation.”
The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell is also endorsing the action;
“Nearly a year has passed since world leaders met at COP26 and I’m not sure many changes have yet been made to combat the climate emergency. As we look to COP27 I would like to offer my support to the idea of ringing out church bells and for congregations, communities and families to come together and express their hopes and fears for our environment and our future.”
Last year, many churches came together, holding vigil as the bells rang with their prayers, songs, poems, candles and banners. ‘Ring out for Climate!’ enabled families and communities to express their hopes, fears and concerns about our environmental crisis.
If you would like to get involved, the suggestion is to ring out on Saturday 5 November at 5pm, so that families can go to their firework celebrations afterwards. However, any arrangements can be made locally. COP 27 takes place from 7 – 18 November.
