Climate justice is an ideology and notion that has been formulated to combat the injustice that the polluters and the emitters of carbon dioxide have imposed on the poor nations and the endangered species of the world. The most vulnerable members of creation, both human and other species, are the ones who are unjustly affected by climate change.

Evidence proves that the whole of the human community contributes to pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. We have all contributed to the natural disasters that we experience and witness in our world. Therefore, our government and our society should work together to find a way to mitigate global warming and to enhance the sanctity of life that God has purposely created since the beginning of time.

The Methodist Church of New Zealand should put our efforts into contributing to a solution or a pathway that can heal the pain of our mother earth. Perhaps that’s why President Andrew Doubleday suggested that we should have a Climate Justice workshop at Conference. We cannot remain silent any longer. Lives of loved ones have been lost, homes and properties ruined, people displaced and endangered species are threatened.

Dr ‘Elisapesi Havea confirmed it is not too late to heal the damage that has been caused by human activities in the world. Te Aroha Rountree reminded us that we are the environment and the environment is us, ko tātou te taiao, ko te taiao ko tatou. Dr Emily Colgan drew our attention to the role of the church as people who are standing on the tradition of prophets and of Jesus Christ who proclaimed a message of justice for the weak, powerless and the marginalised.

Discussion groups focused on three areas: worship, policy and politics. Reports from the discussion groups were diverse but there were common themes that came out strongly such as: introducing a Green Day, where our whole church should participate in planting trees or collecting rubbish in our local communities; creating and sharing resources on climate justice for our Sunday worship; investment in companies that are eco-friendly; utilisation of solar panels on our church buildings; encouraging members of our church to use electric vehicles and public transport, and sending submissions to the government on matters that relate to climate justice. There was a strong suggestion that young people should take a lead for our church on this matter for they have the energy and passion.

On behalf of the Climate Justice Working Group, I would like to thank the presenters, the facilitators and all those who participated in the discussions for their wisdom and openness. Your thoughts are valued and will be shared around rohe, synods and parishes. Hopefully, by Conference 2022 we will come up with a suggested decision that will become our collective voice to proclaim justice for the vulnerable individuals and communities that are affected by global warming.

We must act quickly and strategically to mitigate climate change. After the workshop where we were all engaged, I would like to ask a question similar to the question that Jamie Morton asked after the COP26 Conference, “So COP26 is over. Will it make a difference?” (NZ Herald, 25 November, 2021) A similar question that I would like to ask, “Our Climate Justice workshop is over. Will it make a difference?”