Faith-based Groups Have Big Role at COP26

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Disasters and Climate Change

United Methodists are well-represented among the non-government activist groups at COP26, the United Nations' conference on global climate change. In addition to staff members from the General Board of Church and Society, individual United Methodists are attending on behalf of ecumenical and civic-based organizations.

Cara Fleischer of Florida, a leader with UMC Creation Justice Movement, is serving on the communications team with the Christian Climate Observers Program. The Rev. Mel Caraway, a retired clergy member of the North Texas Annual Conference, is representing Texas IMPACT, a faith-based advocacy organization.

The Rev. Jenny Phillips, senior technical advisor for environmental sustainability at the General Board of Global Ministries, reports that for the first time, "side events" such as faith-based groups' talks are being livestreamed from COP26 on YouTube. Jenny herself will be part of a livestreamed panel on the SHINE Project Nov. 9 at 5:30 a.m. ET.

Shamiso Winnet Mupara, representing Environmmental Buddies Zimbabwe Trust, was among a group that met with former U.S. vice president Al Gore and his daughter, Karenna Gore (see photo above). Shamiso also posted a meme on the Facebook page of National UMC Creation Justice (see photo below) with this report: "Indigenous groups and vulnerable communities' continue to be muffled in the Decision Making process. They hear us but they don't listen to us. At climate change events their voices are not considered and even the media has a way of erasing them from the spotlight. ... Leave no one behind if we are to achieve climate justice." (Courtesy Photo)

The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe, top executive of the General Board of Church and Society, will preach Sunday, Nov. 7 in an ecumenical worship service at Glasgow Cathedral as part of the side events of COP26, the United Nations global climate change conference.

Speaking with United Methodist Insight by telephone just prior to departing for the event, Dr. Henry-Crowe said she views COP26 as a “pivotal” meeting for the world’s efforts to mitigate the global climate emergency. The world’s faiths play a crucial role in encouraging political leaders and decision-makers to take action on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, moving away from fossil fuels and developing sustainable earth-friendly economies, she said.

Insight will have a full story about the Glasgow Cathedral worship service during the week of Nov. 7. For daily reports from the Church & Society delegation, see their blog.

Equity and access problems

Christian Climate Observers Program (CCOP) reports that equity and access remain problems for the faith-based observers, other activists and even governmental leaders at COP26. The biggest example thus far was an incident in which the Israeli energy minister was denied access to a session because she uses a wheelchair.

CCOP’s Nov. 2 Daily Update written by Jeffrey Lee, Phil Summerton, and Flo Wright reports:

“One major and worthwhile discussion surrounding COP is that of equity and access. … This served as a stark reminder that many COP discussions are exclusive and activists have little say on the proceedings. Activists are some of the most important voices, yet many haven’t even made it to Glasgow yet. What’s more, those who are here have not been offered the chance to speak into these meetings that have real consequences for the future. Shilpita, a fellow CCOP participant, met a group of Chilean activists who were invited to negotiations but were not offered the chance to speak at all. From what we’ve witnessed, leaders want activists to be seen, but they do not always want to listen to their stories and experiences. It is also important to remember that these inequities have been exacerbated by uneven vaccine distribution and the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. It has been a struggle to include many needed voices in these consequential negotiations.”

Mel Caraway likewise noted the lack of equity and access in his first report from Glasgow:

"COP26 has so far been like nothing we've seen before. Too small a venue, too many credentials, extremely limited access to meetings, no access to plenaries other than on video, long lines and wait times to get into the venue, no (or very limited) access to meeting space for  USCAN, CAN-I, and other NGOs, no access to negotiations, and the list goes on.

"For these and other reasons, the UK organizers were awarded CAN's first Fossil of the Day on Monday.  Yesterday Fossils were awarded to (1) Norway – "Norwegian gas is not the problem, but part of the solution for a successful transition to renewable energy.", (2) Japan – "Japan promotes fossil power plants because they are necessary to integrate renewable energy not only in Japan, but also throughout Asia.", and (3) Australia – For the second day running ... the Aussies won a fossil.  The PM held a joint press conference with Santos, the huge gas company to talk about CCS with a majestic model of how they plan to bury emissions in their own back yard.  Once again Australia says one thing and ends up doing the opposite.

"I am spending a lot of my time following the methane situation on which I have been spending a lot of time on over the past few years.  As you all know, Texas is one of the largest methane emitters in the world, and state regulators are doing little to nothing to abolish it or even to curb it.  Over 80 nations, including the USA have pledged to vastly reduce methane emissions.  By enforcing existing regulations as well as implementing new regulations that the EPA announced yesterday, we can be a part of a massive reduction in the emission of green house gases (methane).  Fully one third of the warming from greenhouse gases occurring today is due to human caused emissions of methane.  Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that traps about 30 times as much heat as carbon dioxide over 100 years, and sharp cuts over the next decade will have a profound near term benefit on the environment.  Oil and natural gas are the biggest culprits in the USA, and especially in Texas.

"Today (Wednesday) I am monitoring several sessions on methane at the Methane Pavilion as well as further regulatory announcements from the US Government and the EPA.

"Keep us in your prayers as we face logistical challenges on a daily basis.  ... We wish all of you could be here with us. Then we would have familiar faces to stand in long lines with as we wait to get into the Scottish Events Centre and the various meeting rooms we don't have access to."

One step forward, two steps back

From the Associated Press Nov. 4: Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels

"GLASGOW, Scotland (AP) — The dramatic drop in carbon dioxide emissions from the pandemic lockdown has pretty much disappeared in a puff of coal-fired smoke, much of it from China, a new scientific study found.

"A group of scientists who track heat-trapping gases that cause climate change said the first nine months of this year put emissions a tad under 2019 levels. They estimate that in 2021 the world will have spewed 36.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, compared to 36.7 billion metric tons two years ago.

"At the height of the pandemic last year, emissions were down to 34.8 billion metric tons, so this year’s jump is 4.9%, according to updated calculations by Global Carbon Project."

Climate webinars coming in 2022

If reading and hearing about COP26 sparks you and your congregation to increase your creation care ministry, the UMC Creation Justice Movement can teach you how to go about it. Here’s advance notice from the group’s November newsletter:

“Engaging the Local Church: A training workshop on practical solutions to greening your facilities and promoting Creation Care within your local church will be offered on-line this winter on Feb. 20, 24 & 27, and Mar. 3 & 10, 2022.  Each session will run for two hours and start at 7 pm ET.  The course is open to both laypersons and clergy, and it will provide an excellent opportunity to build and train your Green Team.  Look for registration details in upcoming newsletters.”

Media Mentions as of Nov. 4, 2021

Faith groups increasingly join fight against climate change - The Washington Post

Campaign to shut down New England’s last coal plant is doing ‘what must be done’ for the planet – Waging Nonviolence

Cynthia B. Astle serves as editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011.