Churn Climate Change Action Group
The purpose of the Churn Churches Climate Action Group is to encourage conversation and action within the communities served by the Churn Benefice to reduce the impact of Climate Change.
Climate change is happening; it is difficult to ignore the extreme climate events that are occurring across the globe. It may seem anything that an individual can do about it is like trying to stop Niagara falls with a teaspoon; but acting together we can and will reduce the predicted impact on future generations.
The Mission of the Church has always included ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the life of the earth’. This gives ample reason for the Church to acknowledge the Climate Emergency and to campaign for changes to reduce the impact of this.
Let Justice Flow Like a River.
Do you have 3 minutes to hear the voices of children calling for us all to take climate action?. Children from around the world have joined together to record Let Justice Flow Like a River, a song written by Fischy Music and commissioned by Christian Aid. The song reflects on climate justice and talks about the importance of taking action. It has been released on Youtube.
Planet Earth and Wild Isles. If you enjoyed Planet Earth and Wild Isles on BBC1, Bishop Steven's message is a must watch: the biblical imperative for Christians to invest resources to restore nature alongside working towards net zero.
Climate News
WMO confirms 2024 as warmest year on record at about 1.55°C above pre-industrial level.
· The past ten years 2015-2024 are the ten warmest years on record
· We have likely seen the first calendar year with a global mean temperature of more than 1.5°C above the 1850-1900 average
· Six international datasets are used to reach the consolidated WMO global figure
· 2024 saw exceptional land and sea surface temperatures and ocean heat
· Long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement not yet dead but in grave danger
Greta Thurnborg publishes THE CLIMATE BOOK. The science concerning the future impact of climate change is clear; what is missing is the political action to address this.
Generating ‘Political Will’ needs action by all of us! Action to lobby politicians. We need to give our politicians the confidence to tackle this. Actions to encourage businesses to address the Climate Emergency. Action to reduce our carbon footprint. An easy way to find your MP and local councillors is to go to the WriteToThem website and enter your postcode. Every letter from a constituent counts!
× Action to Lobby Politicians
× Your MP. Please inform your MP if you agree that leadership from the top is needed for more government action to address climate change. MPs are aware of what needs to be done but may need a nudge to raise this to the top of the agenda. The Oxfordshire based ‘Bioabundance’ website lists 11 topics to raise with your MP. Scroll down that page to see the topics you are concerned about and follow the links for more ionformation on these.
What is missing is leadership from 10 Downing Street to make this happen. All MPs need to know that their constituents feel that not enough is being done to protect the environment for our children and grandchildren. MPs must use their persuasive powers to raise this high enough up the political agenda for action to be driven forward by leadership from the top.
We are all aware from the news items that the climate is getting rougher. Scientists tell us we can do a lot to reduce the impact. Please tell your MP you care about this. You can find your MP here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP. Please include your name and postcode and that you are a constituent. Let’s make this happen! Click here for a sample letter and more information about where Government Action now is needed to meet our future climate targets.
The 6 Ws, A Climate and Nature Checklist for Political Action. Prior to the General Election, Greenpeace Identified of six key areas where it’s absolutely vital to make progress. The Government must be held to account over its progress to deliver these: Warm Homes, Windpower, Wheels, Wildlife, Workers, World. Click here to see more detail under each of these headings.
× Contact County and District Councillors. Please write to your councillors to ask them to work towards the conclusions of the Pathways to a Zero Carbon Oxfordshire report. Click here for more about the Pathway to Zero Carbon and suggested text for a letter to a councillor.
The debate is taking place between Oxfordshire District Councillors on how many new houses are needed in Oxfordshire and what proportion of these should be the number we need of truly affordable homes for the less well off in already developed areas; rather than lots of market value houses in green-field sites. If you care about this, please write to of email your District Councillors. They need to get the message that climate friendly policies will get them votes!
Click here on how to contact Councillors. An easy way to find your MP and local councillors is to go to the WriteToThem website and enter your postcode. Every letter from a constituent counts!
Climate Action by CCCA
× Input to Public Consultations. The CCCA and other local climate action groups with whom we cooperate have submitted comments to public consultations and will continue to do so. Click here for the CCCA responses to the Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: Our response to the Reforms to National Planning Policy public consultation was submitted on 2nd March 2023.
× Actions to Encourage Businesses to Address the Climate Emergency
How and what do you buy? What is the environmental impact of your purchase? Do you need it? Buy second hand? Re-use? Avoid products with too much packaging. Buy grass fed meat and not factory farmed. Factory farmed chickens are the worst!
Where and how do you work? Work with your employer to raise awareness of the environmental impact of your work and what can be done to reduce this. You need to consider the lifecycle impact from production, to use, to disposal.
× Where and how can you invest your money? Many businesses have realised the need to protect the environment; some just talk about it without doing much. Such unsubstantiated claims are known as ‘Greenwash’. Some are making significant progress. The Tortoise Responsibility100 Index seeks to differentiate between businesses which talk the talk and those who walk the walk. There are other sites which recommend ethical and green investments including Climate Action Oxfordshire and Abundance.
× Action to Reduce our Carbon Footprint
Notices. The Churn Churches Climate Action Group will provide notices which will advise you what individuals can do to reduce their carbon footprint to help avert climate disaster. Over the coming months we will cover how you can reduce your carbon footprint, and potentially save money, with topics covering: Loft Insulation (Click here to see this). Did you know that approximately a quarter of the heat from your home is lost through the roof if you don’t have loft insulation? Draught Proofing your Home, (Click here to see this). Draught-proofing your home is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to save energy, and money.Short films: These show how to save energy in your home; with examples from real people. The films cover low-cost energy saving measures; insulating your walls, loft and floor, air source heat pumps, solar panels and storage, double or triple glazing and ventilation, help with finance, opportunities for contractors. Click on the link and then on the film titles.
A Rocha UK’s Easy Eco Tips 2024 Calendar - Click here to download the detail for each month.
JANUARY Make ‘enjoying nature’ your priority. FEBRUARY Go green for Lent. MARCH Celebrate Spring. APRIL Fit more active travel into your day and daily routine. MAY Say no to the mow. JUNE Join #30DaysWild. JULY Taste the benefits of seasonal and local food. AUGUST Assist local wildlife during hot weather. SEPTEMBER Step outside this Season of Creation OCTOBER Contribute to wildlife conservation. NOVEMBER Green your home. DECEMBER Celebrate a Greener Christmas.
Other Local Climate Action Initiatives
Hagbourne and Upton Group for Sustainability
Campaign for the Protection of Rural England Oxfordshire
Christian Concern for One World
Oxford Diocese Environmental Action
Communities for a Zero Carbon Oxford