COP26 Blog 2: 'We can deliver - we must deliver'

Bishop John at COP26 faith vigil Image ICN/JS

Well, we're off. The landmark COP26 Climate conference has started. Those of us fortunate enough to be accredited to enter the 'Blue Zone' did our daily Covid test, negotiated security checks and filled our water bottles …. no throwaway plastic cups here. No paperwork either - with maps of the complex, schedules etc. all being online in numerous e-mails. Evidence of the campaigners outside could be seen through the window of the media centre, with a huge sign reading, 'NO NEW WORLDS' across the other side of the River Clyde.

In his opening address, COP president and Conservative MP Alok Sharma thanked the international delegations for their efforts to get into the UK. But its been an effort for locals too. Trying to reach the conference centre this morning in teaming rain, with long walks to get around high barriers, left me reflecting on those texts telling me to 'have fun'. Ha ha - this is a commitment to report on faith calls for climate justice, and in the context of global concern to rebuild a stable climate. But… it is a privilege to actually be here.

But let's get back to the rain. How ironic that torrential rain disrupted journeys to Glasgow these past few days. Train journeys passed miles of waterlogged fields at the Scottish border, with water close by on both sides of the carriages. It focused the mind regarding the impacts of more severe weather on all of us.

It was interesting to hear Alok Sharma say: "Act now to keep 1.5 alive." I've seen that slogan on umpteen banners at climate marches by faith groups over the years, such as 'The Wave' in 2009. He spoke of being motivated by recently witnessing such disasters as climate-induced famine in Africa. Of course, Catholic hierarchies and communities have been reporting on these negative climate change impacts for many years - such as the Bishops' Conference of the Philippines - along with the Church's Caritas, Justice and Peace and missionary networks. The Church has a close ear to local communities and a commitment to "hear the cry of the Earth and the Cry of the Poor", as Laudato Si put it, which have both been worsened by our warming planet.

Māori climate activist India Logan-Riley also spoke at the opening of the summit where she is representing indigenous communities. She gave a stinging input about colonialism undervaluing and replacing indigenous practices. She reported that oil exploration has long been challenged by indigenous groups. "We try to keep fossil fuels in the ground and stop its expansion" she said, adding that, "for this COP, learn our histories, and listen to our stories."

This afternoon, back in Central Glasgow, Catholics joined other faiths in an outdoor COP26 vigil organised by Interfaith Glasgow and Interfaith Scotland. Bishop William Nolan of Scotland Justice and Peace and Bishop John Arnold, environment lead for the Catholic bishops of England and Wales, were there to support.

"Its wonderful to see the different faiths come together on this cause" said Bishop Nolan; "who would have thought 10 or 20 years ago that we would have seen this?" He flagged up the Glasgow Declaration in September where faith leaders came together and said: "Across our doctrinal and political differences, we know that we must change our ways to ensure a quality of life which all can share, and we need to provide hope for people of all ages, everywhere, including future generations. To offer hope in the world we need to have confidence that those in power understand the vital role they have to play at the Glasgow COP26." Amen to that.

On this All Saints Day, I recall those hundreds of environmental martyrs globally who have sacrificed their lives to supporting local communities challenging mining and logging multinationals and all practices which destroy God's creation. And I wondered about the modern-day saints in our midst. At the faith vigil were 'Camino to COP' walkers who are now praying at an Earth Vigil for the duration of the climate summit. They are based around the Glasgow Quaker Meeting House but praying at locations largely outdoors for hours on end. They are prophetic witnesses to the urgent changes we need to see COP26 put in place.

More than 120 of the world's leaders are here tomorrow. I'll conclude with a notice from Alok Sharma today: "I believe we can deliver - we must deliver."

LINKS

Useful dates, events and websites: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/42594

Faiths for the Climate: https://faithfortheclimate.org.uk/

Earth Vigil: www.earthvigil.co.uk