***ACTION OF THE WEEK***
COP26: Global Day of Action for the Climate 2021
Saturday 6th November 2021
Join the global day of action to make sure that our call for climate action is not ignored.
You can either:-
Register for London
Register for Glasgow
All of the information that you need for the above two events is available on the CAFOD website.
There are also various blocs of different organisations taking part in the Day of Action next weekend. One of those is the 'Global Solidarity' bloc, and you can find more details from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign here.
If you wanted to join an event more local to you, check out the Footsteps page in Birmingham, or the COP26 Coalition page, which has events taking place all over the country.
Thank you!
NEWS AND COMMENT
1. COP26 (includes Actions and Events)
Pope Francis' words in advance of COP26
In a reflection given to BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day programme, Pope Francis looks ahead to the COP26 UN climate summit and challenges us to work together to offer a radical new outlook on how we tackle climate change. You can listen to it/read it through the Catholic Bishops' website here.
In my opinion, the most poignant thing he said was (in talking about a meeting he attended) 'I was impressed by something said by one of the scientists present at that meeting. He told us: “If things continue as they are, in fifty years’ time my baby granddaughter will have to live in an unliveable world”. We cannot allow this to happen!'
Carbon Cop-Out: Let's make zero really mean zero (Action)
The climate crisis is spiralling and the world needs to cut carbon emissions fast.
But when the UK government says it’s working towards Net Zero carbon, it’s only talking about emissions produced in the UK.
As a nation, we outsource carbon emissions to other countries through the huge amounts of food, clothes and gadgets we import from around the world.
For more details, and the chance to email Kwasi Kwarteng, Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, to demand action today. go to Traidcraft Exchange.
Interestingly, Friends of the Earth are also doing a similar petition, and cited the article from Sky News about the major overseas gas project being funded by UK Export Finance, which we reported on in the last e-bulletin.
Event
If you cannot physically make it to an event next week, you can join in with this Digital Rally. There are lots of great speakers, and you can sign up here.
COP26 message to Boris Johnson
CAFOD reports that tens of thousands of people across the UK, including 50,000 Catholics, have urged Boris to 'give us faith you'll lead at COP'. You can read more here.
Event - 24 Hours for the Climate
Join Catholics and people of faith to pray and advocate for the success of COP26.
At COP26, we need negotiators to agree to stop all fossil fuel extraction by 2040, protect and restore ecosystems, and financially support developing countries as they adapt to climate change. On 5-6 November, join this global vigil to learn from communities suffering from climate change, pray for the future of our common home, and write messages that will be delivered to COP26 negotiators. You can RSVP here.
More about the Vigil is also available to read through ICN.
Event - People's Summit for Climate Justice
Between the 7th and 10th November there are lots of workshops going on, both in person and online. To explore these, and to register, click here.
COP26 Climate Pilgrims converge on Glasgow
We have been following the journeys of the various Climate Pilgrims. Ellen Teague, through ICN, covers the arrival of the pilgrims in Glasgow, and also the Church Service to welcome those from the Young Christian Climate Network. To read the article and watch the video of the Service, click here.
Catholics united for the Season of Creation 2021
This uplifting video, produced by the Laudato Si' Movement shows what has been going on in the lead-up to COP26. You can watch it through YouTube
2. Other Climate News (includes an Action)
We are for the Climate
An interesting video has been produced by Forestry England concerning the benefits of the forests, and what they are doing to protect them and plan ahead. It is well worth a watch. Their 'optimism, like their trees, is growing.'
Asia suffered hottest year on record in 2020
Licas News reports on the announcement from the UN in its 'Statement of the Climate in Asia' that extreme weather and climate change impacts across Asia in 2020 caused the loss of life of thousands of people, displaced millions of others and cost hundreds of billions of dollars, while wreaking a heavy toll on infrastructure and ecosystems.
Details of the facts and figures are available through the Licas News website.
Action - Tell Shell to stop hiding behind carbon offsetting
Greenpeace reports that Shell have been claiming their customers can keep motoring with no climate impact using ‘drive carbon neutral’, their carbon offsetting scheme. But they have investigated some of these projects and found these claims simply don't add up. Please consider signing the Greenpeace petition to Shell.
Climate Crisis fuels existing water injustice
World Council of Churches writes: - 2021 has shown how vulnerable and unprepared even wealthy, industrialised countries are in the face of the escalating climate crisis. Devastating flooding, unprecedented heat waves and out-of-control wildfires have hit parts of Europe and North America. Yet this is just a foretaste of catastrophes that have long since become a bitter reality in other parts of the world. They are almost always a matter of too much or too little water. Yet water problems are often the result of discrimination and political failure, especially in times of climate change.
You can read their full article here.
Madagascar on verge of potentially first climate change famine
Vatican News reports on the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) statement that says that after three years of severe drought, as well as cyclones, floods and locust outbreaks, harvests have been wiped out and hampered people's access to food.
You can read more about the situation and what the WFP is doing about it here.
From the Foot of the Mountain: a climate crisis poem
CAFOD have highlighted the work that Suhey, a wife and mother in northern Nicaragua, does with ASOMUPRO, which works to counteract the patriarchal culture that prevails in many mixed gender organisations, working on projects relating to climate change adaptation and promoting agroecology, providing training and information on existing laws to protect water sources, and providing work experience so that women can support themselves.
The project being led by ASOMUPRO is part of a three-year EU regional project on environmental human rights defenders.
Suhey has written a poem about what is happening in her region and the damage that is being done to the environment. The poem is below, but the full article, including Suhey reading her poem, can be found through CAFOD.
From the Foot of the Mountain by Suhey
Deep in the mountain,
I hide away in a place of beauty,
But humans with all their prowess,
Know not how to care for me.
Little by little, they strip me bare,
And senselessly destroy me,
Depriving me of my being,
My deep green gown.
No more do the birds sing
Their sweetest melodies,
Nor do the children enchant me with their joyful smiles.
My name is Telpaneca,
A land of drought and damp.
I am the mother of a river they despoil pitilessly.
They remove stones and sand, increasing my thirst,
And bind me with chains, preventing me from blossoming.
“No more of such hurt and villainy”,
Is my irony-filled cry from the heart of the mountain.
Help me escape from this present hell
And I promise to endow you with fruit, fresh water and joy.
3. Refugees, plus the Nationality and Borders Bill
Campaign Toolkit on the Nationality and Borders Bill
JRS and the SVP have produced a Campaign Toolkit which explains the eight things you should know about the Bill and why it will make life that much harder for people seeking safety. It also takes you through the four ways you can advocate for refugees today. You can read it through the SVP website.
Westminster Rally says 'Refugees are welcome here'
Ellen Teague, through ICN, writes about the Rally that happened outside Westminster on the 20th October, as well as other gatherings that took place around the country.
Labour Peer Lord Alfred Dubs said the Nationality and Borders Bill that is being scrutinised by MP's in its committee stage, before going back to the Commons for the third reading, treats refugees like criminals, rather than victims. He said: - "We can't close the door on the vulnerable, especially after what they've been through."
Read the full article here.
Hunger Strike for Migrants
Three people, including a Jesuit Priest, are on the 21st day of their hunger strike in Calais. They are protesting about the way migrants and refugees are treated by the local authorities over there, and are asking for the local police to stop dismantling the camps, and confiscating their tents and belongings, especially during the Winter months. Barbara Kentish has covered the situation in her article for ICN.
Also, if you go to the Seeking Sanctuary website, you will read the latest October news from Ben Bano. The article also covers the degrading treatment that the migrants receive in Calais.
Sadly, up to three people are presumed missing at sea, following the rescue of two Somali nationals off the coast of Essex, near Harwich, this week. They had attempted to make the crossing from France to the UK in a dinghy.
Priti Patel, Home Secretary, stated "It is a tragedy. It is an absolute tragedy, it really is. Clearly there are investigations taking place right now so we have to let that investigation process occur. But I can give everyone solid, solid assurance that my work with both France and other counterparts as well is very much based on stopping the loss of life."
May we ask, how?
4. Current priorities for an EU response to the situation in Afghanistan
Various NGO's have come together and put together a joint statement about the current situation in Afghanistan, which begins: - As European NGOs working on asylum and migration and Afghan Diaspora organisations in Europe, we are alarmed about the situation in Afghanistan and concerned above all about the security of the people of Afghanistan, both those within the country and those displaced and seeking protection in the region and beyond.
The vast majority of displaced Afghans will likely be hosted in the neighbouring countries, as has been the case over decades of displacement from Afghanistan. For reference, since 2015, over six years, 570,000 Afghans sought protection in the EU and associated countries. The majority received a protection status. In contrast, by July 2021, Iran hosted 800,000 registered refugees and up to 3 million other displaced Afghans. In Pakistan, there were 1.4 million registered refugees and up to 2 million other displaced Afghans. These figures have been increasing by the day. In addition, there are close to 5.5 million IDPs in the country.
In this context, it is crucial that the small proportion of displaced people who do arrive in Europe are given rapid access to a fair asylum procedure in line with European states’ obligations under EU and international law.
The statement then goes on to list five urgent responses for EU and European countries. Read it through JRS here.
5. Life News
1700 medics urge rejection of assisted suicide
Care Not Killing writes: - A group of 1,700 doctors and nurses have voiced their strong opposition to legalising assisted suicide and say they will refuse to kill their patients even if the law is changed. Their intervention comes ahead of next week's second record reading of a private members bill in the House of Lords that would allow doctors to provide lethal drugs to terminally ill people wanting to end their lives.
In the letter to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, the doctors say:
"As healthcare professionals, we have a legal duty of care for the safety and wellbeing of our patients. We write with great concern regarding the introduction of a Bill to legalise assisted suicide."
You can read the full statement here.
Pro-Life movement must prepare for long spiritual battle
ICN writes: - The pro-life movement must be prepared for a protracted struggle in 21st Century, the Bishop of Shrewsbury has said.
In a homily at a Mass for the National Pro-Life Pilgrimage to Walsingham, Norfolk, the Rt Rev Mark Davies said that the relentless advance of the "culture of death" meant the movement must be ready to respond to many new challenges in the years ahead.
To read the full article, click here.
6. NJPN Blog on Independent Catholic News
There are some very good articles to be read from our 'Guest Bloggers' on the ICN website.
19th October - Striving to live non-violently
Aisling Griffin talks about creation and the importance of living non-violently within it.
You can read her blog here.
26th October - Settle meets a walker
Paul Kelly, a member of the NJPN Environment Group, encounters a walker on the way to COP! This is a very inspiring story about Push, a veteran walker and climate activist who is about to turn 70. Please do read it, and watch the accompanying video, here.
Thanks go to our friends at Independent Catholic News for providing us with a platform for our articles. You can check out ICN in full here.
Newsletters
7. Living Fair October 2021
The usual showcase of the Traidcraft products, mixed with some interesting articles. You can find it here
8. Operation Noah October 2021
Good news in that 72 faith institutions have divested from fossil fuels. That, and other news, is available to read here.
9. Biofuelwatch October 2021
Lots of news and updates about the campaigns they have been supporting. Click here to read.
10. London Mining Network October 2021
Opening with an article about working with the COP26 Coalition over a number of events, along with lots of other news about what they have been doing. Read it here.
11. World Council of Churches' Together for Water Oct 2021
This issue focuses on water and climate change as the world is anxiously awaiting for the UN climate summit to begin. Find it here.
EVENTS (in chronological order where applicable)
12. 1st - 12th November 8am - Green Christian
Why Faith Matters at COP - 10 minutes of daily prayer
13. 5th - 6th November 11am - 11am
24 Hours for the Climate
14. 7th November
COP26 Church Service
15. 13th November - 11am - 3pm NJPN Networking Meeting
'So What Must Be Done' - to reflect on COP and its outcomes
16. 16th November 3.15pm - 5pm PACT
Conference: Safe, Secure Decent?
17. 17th November 3pm - 6pm - Anti-Slavery International
Supporter Conference
18. 17th November - 7pm - Green Christian
Joy in Enough
19. 20th November - 10am - 1.15pm Caritas Diocese of Nottingham
A change of era: Climate, Covid and the Missionary Parish
20. 20th November - 10am - 3pm - Church Action on Poverty
Annual Conference and AGM
21. 20th November - 12noon - 4pm Christian CND
Building Bridges in the Shadow of Afghanistan
This year’s Barbara Eggleston Memorial Lecture will take place in the Quaker Meeting House,
Oxford on Saturday 20th November from 12.00 noon to 4.00pm.
We have all been affected by the tragedy of recent events in Afghanistan.
The purpose of this event is to learn from our distinguished speakers what the sacred texts of their Faiths say about peace and non-violence, how this affects their teaching and what we can learn from this about peace-building in our campaigns.
All are welcome.
22. Columbans Schools Media Competition
Deadline for entries - 11th February 2022
ACTIONS/APPEALS/SURVEYS/E-PETITIONS
23. Invite your MP to our important briefing
Palestine Solidarity Campaign writes: - We are hosting an important online Parliamentary briefing on the decision of the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael-Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) to allocate 100million NIS to use discriminatory laws to claim ownership of hundreds of Palestinian properties, in an attempt to forcibly expel the residents from their homes.
KKL-JNF will use a similar procedure to that being deployed in attempts to remove Palestinians from their homes in Sheikh Jarrah and Silwan. Israeli organisation Peace Now estimates that over 2000 Palestinian properties in annexed East Jerusalem alone are threatened.
Please email your MP and invite him to the briefing.
24. Prevent a new military offensive in Burma
Burma Campaign UK writes: The Burmese military is building up troops and equipment in Chin State and neighbouring areas in North-Western Burma.
We are concerned this could be possible preparations for a large-scale military offensive against civilians, leading to a human rights and humanitarian catastrophe.
The UN Security Council must act now to prevent any possible military offensive.
Email British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss now calling on her to convene an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council.
25. THE LAST WORD
Tongue in Cheek...
Greenpeace writes: - Well this is a breath of fresh air. Finally, someone from “the government” is being honest with the public about their approach to the climate crisis. Check it out here 😉
Actually, it is satirist Jolyon Rubinstein going out and about, pretending to be from the Government, asking the public what they really think of the UK’s inconsistent and inadequate approach to tackling climate change. Unsurprisingly, they weren’t very impressed!
Note on Data Protection
Your email address is stored with MailChimp only to allow us to send you these emails, and to track interactions (e.g. open rates). To read more about how MailChimp stores and uses your information, click here for the full MailChimp Privacy Policy. Sections referring to Distribution Lists concern your emails.
No sensitive data (such as credit card details) is given to MailChimp because we do not have an e-commerce element.
You can unsubscribe or update your preferences at any time by clicking the links at the bottom of the page.
NEWS LINKS
Independent Catholic News
Find Justice and Peace stories at:
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/justice-peace-environment
Sign up to receive these regularly.
Catholic Communications Network
Find news stories at www.catholicnews.org.uk
Latest Zenit Headlines here
Vatican News homepage: www.vaticannews.va
World Council of Churches
https://www.oikoumene.org/en/
UK Parliament News
https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/
Follow us on Twitter: @NJandPNetwork
Follow us on Facebook: National Justice and Peace Network
Registered Office: - NJPN, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX
Telephone Numbers: - 020 7901 4864 and 07365 838535
About these E-BULLETINS
The items above are emails received from around the Network which may be of interest to those involved in working for justice and peace.
The views expressed are not necessarily those of NJPN.
To unsubscribe from these mailings, email ebulletin@justice-and-peace.org with “unsubscribe” in the subject box. We also welcome your feedback at the same address.
Forwarding these emails: Please feel free to forward these emails on to your contacts – but please remember to tell them to contact YOU if they want to unsubscribe!
Urgent Actions:
We sometimes receive emails that need immediate action and cannot wait for the weekly bulletin. To receive these items email the same address with “urgent actions” in the subject box.
If you appreciate these bulletins, help to keep them coming by donating to NJPN:
Send cheques payable to NJPN to: NJPN, 39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX.
(NJPN is a registered charity no: 1114947 Company no: 5036866)
If you shop online, you can support us at no extra cost to yourself by signing up with easyfundraising.org.uk, where lots of companies will make a donation to us when you shop online with them.
|
As a small charity NJPN relies on donations from its members and friends, as well as grants for specific work or projects, if you feel you are able to make a contribution you can either:
make a bacs payment to our account: Sort code 16-31-15 account 10089516 reference Donation with your surname or our CAF donate page: https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/8130#!/DonationDetails
|
