Comment - June 2009
The next stage for the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint campaign
Welcome to our new web pages, the new logo and tool kits heralding the new stage of the Church of England's Shrinking the Footprint campaign aimed at enabling the whole Church to address - in faith, practice and mission - the issue of climate change.
In six months the world will be looking towards Copenhagen and the Climate Summit. The Archbishop of Canterbury has accepted an invitation from the Danish churches to preach in Copenhagen Cathedral on the 12 December half way through the summit at a service attended by the Danish Royal Family and many world leaders.
There will be some, of course, who say it's all too late and others who simply don't believe the world's climate is anything to do with mankind's actions. The Church contains those of all views, but most believe that we cannot go on the way we have been going and believe the faiths are in a unique position to set an example by putting their own houses in order and setting an example to their communities.
Last year an Environment Agency poll of scientists and environmentalists put the role of faiths and faith leaders at number two in a list of 50 things to save the planet. That was a call to action and by using our toolkits you will be part of that action. By updating lighting and heating with more efficient alternatives, checking thermostats, adjusting timing switches and stopping draughts the Church of England can reduce its footprint by 12%. Please let us know of any action you take or lesson you learn that others could find useful.
Since 2006 Shrinking the Footprint has been concentrating on energy, now it is being extended to include water and biodiversity issues. The Church has much land under its management, often providing the only green space in urban areas and chemically free havens in country parishes.
There are gardens too and this story from Derby shows how a Bishop's garden can add to its biodiversity.
The Bishop of Derby, Dr Alastair Redfern, is hoping soon to be known as the provider and supplier of six varieties of home grown organic lettuces following an initiative by his chaplain, the Revd Alan Harper to produce home grown vegetables from the Bishop's garden in Duffield.
Alan Harper said:
"The lettuces were planted out on Bank Holiday Monday. I grew them from organic seed, initially in modules to give them a good start, and without the use of pesticides or artificial fertilisers.
"I'm growing six varieties of lettuce, all different colours on the green to dark red spectrum, in rows, including the Spanish heritage variety 'Drunken Woman', Victorian varieties 'Red and Green Salad Bowl', and the more modern 'Nyman's' and 'Merveille de Quatre Saisons', from France. As well as being good to eat, they are very attractive in the garden."
The aim is to produce fresh salad from the garden as part of the meal for the annual retired clergy lunch at Ashbourne on Thursday, 18th June, when clergy and their spouses from all over Derbyshire will be gathered for a service and a chance to meet old friends and catch up with all the news. Over 150 people are expected at the lunch so Alan is ensuring that his new organic vegetable plot is well watered and protected.
Dr Redfern said:
"It's absolutely great to be involved in a project that is contributing fresh food, with the minimum carbon footprint and making use of church land."
Many churches are hosting Big Lunches using locally produced food on Sunday 19 July. For details of this national event see: www.thebiglunch.com
David Shreeve - the Church of England's Environment Adviser
