Links and Resources

Christian perspective

A Rocha - Christian nature conservation organisation whose first initiative was a field study centre in Portugal. A Rocha is now a family of projects working in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, and Asia. A Rocha projects are frequently cross-cultural in character, and share a community emphasis, with a focus on science and research, practical conservation and environmental education. http://www.arocha.org/gb-en/index.html Christian Ecology Link - a multi-denominational UK Christian organisation - for people concerned about the Environment. http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/. Look particularly for:

• The most comprehensive list of Upcoming "Care for the Environment" Church Events throughout the UK and beyond. (You are invited to send in your events too.) www.christian-ecology.org.uk/whatson.htm

•  A prayer of meditation for each day on environmental issues. Presented at the beginning of each month. Use excerpts for your local magazines. www.christian-ecology.org.uk/prayer-guide-index.htm

• Notes with an environmental slant on the Sunday Readings from the Common  Lectionary. Useful for sermons. www.christian-ecology.org.uk/econotes-index.htm

• Green Christian hymns. These are new hymns and songs written to well known tunes. You can print the words for your church service. www.christian-ecology.org.uk/hymns.htm

• You are encouraged to go for LOAF food - Locally sourced, Organically produced, Animal friendly, Fairly traded food www.christian-ecology.org.uk/loaf.htm

Christians in Science (CiS) - an international network of those concerned with the relationship between science and Christian faith, open to scientists, teachers, students and all those with an interest in this dialogue. http://www.cis.org.uk/

Church in Society (Dioceses of Rochester and Canterbury) - Church in Society has a well established Environmental Advisory Group of people able to support parishes working to address environmental issues. http://www.churchinsociety.org/Page.aspx?id=Environment

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland(CTBI) - The Environmental Issues Network (EIN) operates under the umbrella of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. It aims to raise levels of awareness on issues relating to the environment and sustainability. It also helps member churches and other organisations explore together their theological understanding of creation and its ethical implications for environmental policy and action.  http://www.ctbi.org.uk/CFFA/204

CTBI also provides a programme of resources to encourage and assist churches to observe a Time for Creation in September and   October. http://www.ctbi.org.uk/375

Creation Challenge - The Baptist Union, Methodist Church and United Reformed Church Environmental Network aims to connect church people who are active on environmental matters, through work or general interest and to make the care of God's creation a central part of local church life and witness. The site includes newsletters, denominational policies and other resources. http://www.methodist.org.uk/static/econetwork/

Diocese of London - Sets out the Diocese of London’s response to the Church of England’s ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ initiative (see below). There is practical advice on church lighting, heating, switching to a green energy supplier, reducing water consumption, recycling and waste disposal as well as generating your own energy as well as other downloadable material.www.london.anglican.org/Shrinking-the-Footprint

Diocese of Southwark - sets out the Diocese of Southwark’s response to the Church of England’s ‘Shrinking the Footprint’ initiative (see below). There are links to the diocesan environmental policy, regular- e-newsletters as well as other downloadable material.http://www.southwark.anglican.org/what/environment-home

European Christian Environmental Network - network embracing a wide variety of church traditions and a broad range of environmental work. This includes policy issues like climate change and water, promoting an awareness of God's creation in worship and liturgy and practical environmental management in churches. http://www.ecen.org/

John Ray Initiative - an educational charity formed in 1997 to bring together scientific and Christian understandings of the environment in a way that can be widely communicated and lead to effective action, and promote responsible environmental stewardship in accordance with Christian principles and the wise use of science and technology. Offers briefing papers, resources and links to other resources. http://www.jri.org.uk/

Operation Noah - Operation Noah's mission is to encourage Britain and Ireland's churches and governments to lead a radical transformation in both our culture and economic systems; a transformation towards simpler, liveable and supportable lifestyles that will increase happiness and well-being, while safeguarding the whole of God's creation for future generations.
http://www.operationnoah.org/

Shrinking the Footprint is the Church of England’s national strategic campaign to enable its members and institutions to address - in faith, practice, and mission - the pressing issue of climate change. It aims to challenge, encourage and support the whole body of the Church to shrink our environmental footprint to create the "The 20% Church" http://www.shrinkingthefootprint.cofe.anglican.org/index.php

Stewarding the Earth's Resources - a resource for the church about waste reduction, waste re-use and waste recycling. http://www.earthresources.org.uk/

Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church- Ecoloigcal Pages-Links and Advice. http://www.urcthamesnorth.org.uk/ECOPages.htm

United Reformed Church-resources including Hope in God's Future report. http://www.urc.org.uk/what_we_do/church_and_society/climate_change/climate_change

Global perspectives from a Christian perspective

For a wealth of material on the global impact of climate change see:

TearFund  http://www.tearfund.org/Campaigning/Climate+change+and+disasters/

Christian Aid  http://www.christianaid.org.uk/

CAFOD http://www.cafod.org.uk/policy-campaigns/climate

Other faiths and inter-faith

Alliance of Religions and Conservation - secular body founded to help the major religions of the world to develop their own environmental programmes, based on their own core teachings, beliefs and practices, by helping the religions link with key environmental organisations. http://www.arcworld.org/

IFEES (Islamic Foundation for Ecology & Environmental Sciences) – Islamic organisation committed to the maintenance of the Earth as a healthy habitat for all living beings. http://www.ifees.org.uk/

LINE (The London Islamic Network for the Environment) - the UK’s first local Islamic environmental group promoting awareness, reflection andd action. http://www.lineonweb.org.uk/About%20Us/who_are_we.htm

Sikh Environment Network - promotes the Sikh ethical perspective about protecting and supporting the earth as the 'paramount mother', raise awareness amongst Sikh communities about nature, earth and the whole 'thread of life' and support campaigns for earth-protection and earth-justice, by encouraging humans to act ethically, sensitively and kindly to the earth and its animate and inanimate species. http://sikh-environment-network.blogspot.com/

Other Environmental Organisations and Bodies

The Carbon Trust - an independent company, business led and funded by government, tasked with reducing greenhouse gas emissions in business and the public sector, i.e. generally focussed on corporate institutions and businesses but has useful partical advice thta can be applied to churches. http://www.carbontrust.co.uk/default.ct

The Conservation Foundation - provides a means for people in public, private and non-profit sectors to collaborate on environmental causes. The Foundation has created and managed a wide range of environmental initiatives, often with the support of commercial partners. Over the years its programme has included award schemes, conferences, promotions, special events, field studies, school programmes, media work, seminars and workshops. http://www.conservationfoundation.co.uk/

Department of Business, Innovation and Skills: Go Science: These pages explore the science of Climate Change and addresses the many points raised. http://www.bis.gov.uk/go-science/climatescience

The Energy Saving Trust is a non-profit organisation, that offers a range of practical advice and support for households, business and the public sector (e.g. schools) that can help save money and fight climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions. Useful resources include an online Home Energy Check, a Savings Calculator and information on energy saving products. http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/

Friends of the Earth is an environmental campaigning organisation with almost 1 million supporters across five continents and more than 70 national organisations worldwide; unique network of campaigning local groups, working in over 200 communities throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland.  http://www.foe.co.uk/

Greenpeace - campaigning organisation championing environmentally responsible and socially just solutions, including scientific and technical innovation.

http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - IPCC was established to provide the decision-makers and others interested in climate change with an objective source of information about climate change -the place to go for information on the science of climate change. http://www.ipcc.ch/index.htm

London 21 - London 21 Sustainability Network promotes, supports and networks community-based initiatives for a greener, healthier and more sustainable Greater London. http://www.london21.org/

London Sustainability Exchange (LSx) – a charity promoting sustainable development to strategic planners in London's business, government and voluntary sectors.  http://www.lsx.org.uk/

Stop Climate Chaos - The UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action on climate change and limiting its impact on the world’s poorest communities -a combined supporter base of more than 11 million people spans over 100 organisations, from environment and development charities to unions, faith, community and women's groups. http://www.stopclimatechaos.org/

The Earth Charter: “The Earth Charter Initiative” is an extraordinarily diverse, global network of people, organizations, and institutions that participate in promoting and implementing the values and principles of the Earth Charter.

The Initiative is a broad-based, voluntary, civil society effort. Participants include leading international institutions, national governments and their agencies, university associations, non-government organizations and community-based groups, city governments, faith groups, schools and businesses – as well as thousands of individuals. http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/

London Environment Faiths Map http://communitymaps.london21.org/version2/includes/MiniSite.php?minisitename=London%20Faith%20Map

Mapping for Change in collaboration with the Conservation Foundation has developed the first on-line Map of environmental activity by Faith Groups across Greater London. The Map displays information on Projects, Activities and Events, on issues ranging from Green Space to Global Development and Culture & Heritage to Climate Change action.

There is a substantial and growing amount of activity by Faith Groups on environmental issues across London and this new on-line Map and Directory will enable anyone interested to find out what is going on, and enable those doing the work to show others what they are doing and promote best practice.

Mapping for Change (MfC) is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise that uses on-line Mapping to support social and environmental development work. It has been set up as a partnership between London 21 and University College London.

If you would like to add your Organisation or Project to the London Environment Faiths Map, or are simply interested in finding out more about what is happening near you,

If you would like to find out more about this project, or have any enquiries, contact:

Louise Francis: 07832 300720 e-mail: l.francis@mappingforchange.org.uk

Chris Church: tel: 020 8806 1836 e-mail: chrischurch@phonecoop.coop

 Send mail to webmaster@lcen.org.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: 01/03/11