Why COP26 is key - Part 2

What makes you hopeful ahead of COP26?

 There have been some encouraging signs recently. China has recently announced some quite ambitious carbon reductions commitments, which sets a good precedent for other countries ahead of COP26. The US also has a new government, which should aid climate negotiations because President Biden's administration comes with quite a different perspective to the previous one. The US, like China, is such a huge player in terms of carbon emissions and international negotiations generally. So the fact that President Biden has recommitted to the Paris agreement is really positive. However, a recent UN report found that current national climate plans (Nationally Determined Contributions) would reduce emissions by less than 1% between 2010 and 2030. We know we need global emissions to be cut by almost half by 2030 - so this is a huge gap! We need these hopeful signs to turn into even greater action.  

Why COP26 is key - Part 1

What will be happening at COP26 and why is it so important? 

The big thing about COP26 is that this is the first real stocktake of how things are going since the landmark Paris agreement in 2015, where global commitments were made to limit warming to 2℃, or preferably 1.5℃. We at Tearfund and Renew Our World know that 0.5℃ will make a massive difference for the people we support, so we’re calling for commitments to reduce emissions in line with 1.5℃. 

Renew Our World Church leaders conference

Great minds working together

Latin America speaks up for the environment

Protecting Environmental Defenders in Latin America

It is well known that Latin America and the Caribbean are areas of our planet incredibly rich in biodiversity. A myriad of landscapes supports the abundance of life in this region, with tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, grasslands, glaciers and deserts. Environmental defenders typically live within or nearby these natural environments and play a key role in their conservation. 

Supporting migrants and agricultural workers in Peru

Supporting Venezuelan migrants

Like so much of Latin America, Peru has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite being quick to implement lockdown measures in March, the country has struggled to contain the spread of the virus. Huge inadequacies in the country’s health and social support systems have contributed to Peru recording over one million cases and 38,000 deaths from COVID-19. 

Peruvians Take to the Streets

Against the backdrop of a government already overwhelmed with the task of addressing one of the highest rates of COVID-19 infection in the world, on 9 November 2020, Peru’s President Martín Vizcarra was impeached and forced out of office. It is thought that his strong anti-corruption agenda caused him to clash with members of Congress who then utilised the charge of “moral incapacity” on the grounds of alleged corruption to seize his political power and avoid being judged for corruption themselves.

Love is not in Lockdown

It’s been said over and over again: We’re living through uncertain and unprecedented times. This year has been so different from what we might ever have hoped or imagined. For many, it’s come with immense challenge, grief and pain. For others, it’s been a time of rest, reflection and possibility. There’s no doubt this year will shape us indelibly.

One Typhoon Too Many

It was around 6pm when my phone vibrated. An alert was warning me of severe flooding, flash floods and landslides. Typhoon Vamco was heading towards us.

Just ten days after Super Typhoon Goni devastated the Bicol region of the Philippines, another storm was coming. Where I live in Isabela (in the north of the Philippines), we thought the storm would only bring rain – nothing dangerous. We weren’t expecting it to be so severe.

A Prayer for Our World

Adoration & Thanksgiving

Dear Lord, 

We worship You as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe,

The Saviour and Lord of this world,

The Author of love, and 

Giver of all good gifts.

 

We thank You for blessing us with abundant life in You.

Imagining Jubilee in Southern Africa

The crises shaking our world this year have reminded us of the urgent need to heal our relationships with each other and the natural world. Fittingly, the theme for Season of Creation this year is “Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope”. Many in this Renew Our World community have been thinking deeply about the opportunities COVID-19 provides for reshaping the future. 

Season of Creation

Rachel is the Environmental Coordinator for the Anglican Church of Southern Africa which includes South Africa, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, Angola and Mozambique. She also coordinates the Green Anglicans movement, is secretary to the Anglican Communion Environmental Network and sits on the steering group for the Season of Creation.

Brazil celebrates the Season of Creation

The Season of Creation is an annual celebration of prayer and action to honour and protect God’s good creation. Each year, tens of thousands of Christians participate in a range of events throughout the season, from prayer services to rubbish clean-ups to advocacy actions.