NJPN Blog - Supporting the Young Christians Relay to COP26

Molly Clarke

The Young Christian Climate Network (YCCN) is an action-focused community of young Christians in the UK aged 18-30, from different denominations, choosing to follow Jesus in the pursuit of climate justice.

The YCCN has organised a 1,000+ mile relay pilgrimage from Carbis Bay in Cornwall, where the G7 summit took place two weeks ago, up to Glasgow, where COP26 will be meeting in November.

The walkers want to see systematic change on a global and a local scale, and also raise awareness of "both our responsibility as Christians and our passion to engage in creation care theology, individually and corporately".

Specifically, YCCN believes that it is time to make decisions that protect people, not bank balances, to decide that no country will go into debt tackling climate change. YCCN is calling for fair climate finance by demanding the UK government reinstate the foreign aid budget to pre-COVID levels.

Here are extracts of individual blogs of walkers:

Molly Clark:

"I didn't get much sleep on the 'sleeper' train down to Cornwall, but I got something much better: the first sight of the sea, boats, sand flats, and jagged coastal rock formations against the bright pink dawn. I was too excited to sleep. The previous day, before setting off from my university accommodation, I had watched our pilgrim send-out service live-streamed from Truro Cathedral, and was inspired by its calls for justice, global unity, and hope. Now I was going to be walking the first day of the Relay, praying for climate justice and spreading the word in G7 territory about the need for fair climate finance.

After months of planning on Zoom, Teams, and email, it was an incredibly moving experience to meet two of my fellow YCCNers, Hannah and Will, for the first time in person. It was also wonderful to meet all the local people who came to support us, either through joining and guiding the walk or just through wishing us well and sending us off (not to mention breezily getting us past residual G7 security around Carbis Bay). We were a cheerful and spirited band of pilgrims, from a wide range of ages, denominations, and walks of life. Everything felt appropriately Cornish: the coastal stretch between Carbis Bay and Hayle was spectacular, even in a light covering of mist, and we gladly accepted a local pilgrim's recommendation of a renowned pasty shop at lunchtime. By the time we reached Camborne, the first day's destination, and were greeted with tea by another kind vicar, my whole body was aching - but I felt so happy.

There was a strong feeling of hope as we walked. Sometimes it's difficult to hold onto hope when we think about the climate crisis….. Our Relay is about rising to the moment. This year, with COP26 happening on our doorstep, is an opportunity like no other to call for change. Taking part in our pilgrimage was the most wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I urge everyone to get involved."

Rachel Mander:

"Just after the G7 in Cornwall, we set out to walk all the way to another set of talks - the international climate negotiations, COP26, being held in Glasgow in November. We're walking as an act of faith, hope and love. We have lots of days which we still don't have any offers of accommodation for, and where the route isn't finalised. Already though, we have seen provision. A beautiful send-out service from Truro Cathedral, offers to meet a mayor, accommodation with views of a sunset over the harbour, rope swings over rivers, and a WhatsApp group with people praying for the journey…..

A boat is accompanying us on our journey, with sails made from material from around the world. It's part of our acknowledgement that, 'we are in the same storm, but not the same boat' - just like we have seen with the covid-19 pandemic. As young Christians organising this Relay, we know that the story of our adult lives will be witnessing the effects of climate change, which will hit our neighbours around the world first and foremost.

Many churches around the world have been calling for climate action for decades. A 2004 World Council of Churches statement calls, "on our sisters and brothers in Christ throughout the world to act in solidarity with us to reduce the causes of human-induced climate change… and to pay for the costs of adaptation to anticipated impacts". I personally was just seven years old when this call was issued. In faith, we ask churches in the UK to respond by joining us in this Relay to COP26.

We have over 100 days of walking ahead of us, and events in 10 major cities across the UK. We would love you to join us: walk with us, host us in church halls, hold Climate Sunday services as we pass through, campaign with us to ask the UK government to act to ensure no country gets pushed into debt because of climate change.

Sophie Mitchell:

"In February 2020, just before the coronavirus pandemic, I addressed the General Synod of the Church of England, urging them to act big and act fast in relation to climate action. What was required was not more documentation but clear plans, clear actions, clear deadlines. At that meeting, the Synod voted to adopt a 2030 net-zero carbon emissions target and are on their way to achieving that target. I know that legislative boards of other church denominations have set similar targets.

God's creation is a gift, one that we have been tasked with the stewarding of. I believe that it is not enough just to recognise that climate change is a threat to God's creation. We must accept and acknowledge that we are to blame for this, and it is our responsibility to fix the problem. The climate crisis is a reflection, and a cause, of deep injustice in the world. This crisis arises from our abuse of God's creation, and our broken relationship with our neighbours worldwide who suffer most from its consequences."

If you are interested in volunteering as a walker or helping when the relay stops over in your nearest city, please email relay@yccn.uk or visit: www.yccn.uk/. This website gives the route.

A few places are still available for the Annual Conference of the National Justice and Peace Network (NJPN) 23-25 July 2021, which is looking at ecological conversion and care for Creation, at: www.justice-and-peace.org.uk/conference/