Karakia for our Climate

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As world leaders and climate experts converge on Glasgow for COP26 to discuss the future of the planet, Christians are being called to pray for God’s creation.

Karakia for our Climate is a youth-led inter-church initiative calling for the church in Aotearoa New Zealand to join the global call to pray for climate action. Prayer vigils are being held during COP26 (31st Oct - 12th Nov) online and in person. Resources are also available to parishes for worship services.

The UN has been bringing together almost every country on earth for global climate summits - called Conference of the Parties (COPs) for almost 30 years. In that time climate change has gone from being a fringe issue to a global priority. This year will be the 26th annual summit, hence the name COP26.

In 2015, in Paris countries reached the landmark agreement to try to limit the increase in global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius. However, New Zealand, like many countries, has done very little to reduce carbon emissions and our targets are short of the level needed.

COP26 will bring together almost 30,000 representatives including heads of state, climate experts and campaigners to agree coordinated action to tackle climate change. The goal is to keep the previously agreed 1.5 target alive. Leaders will report back on their progress since Paris and show just how they will cut carbon emissions.

Climate Change minister James Shaw is leading a delegation of government officials, climate experts and media representatives from NZ, including Rod Oram, a highly respected journalist and media commentator who is a Christian with a deep passion for protecting the environment.

Rod will participate from Glasgow in an online Karakia on Sunday 31 October. Rod says, “We’re destroying creation, the well-spring of our lives. We won’t do enough to remedy that until we care enough. And we won’t care enough until we revive our spiritual relationship with creation. Leaders of all the major faiths in the world are bringing this message to COP26, urging governments and citizens to act decisively for the future of humanity and the earth. Please add your prayers and climate actions to their advocacy.”

Silvia Purdie, Christchurch Convenor, A Rocha Aotearoa NZ has been involved with the.prayer initiative. Silvia says, “Karakia for our Climate is a call for Christians across Aotearoa New Zealand to pray for climate action. Join us as we pray for our global leaders, for climate justice, for humanity; for God’s creation.”

Events include:
Daily short online prayer via FB live: 8pm each evening 1-11 November

Friday Night Vigils (in person) on 12 November:
• Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau: 7:30pm at St James Māngere Bridge
• Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-Tara: 6:30pm at St Peter’s Willis St
• Dunedin/Ōtepoti: 5:30pm at Knox Church

For resources and additional information, visit: www.ecochurch.org.nz/karakia-for-our-climate