4 thoughts on “Deanery Eco Comments Board”

  2. On Wednesdays (when Parliament is sitting) I and a group of others sit as a vigil outside Parliament praying for the well-being of the environment and that Parliament should take the right actions. We tend to do this in two shifts, 11-1pm and 1-3pm. We simply sit or kneel with a banner laid out in front of us on the pavement and with placards hung round our neck, and silently pray.
    Usually the police on duty come over and say hello and show a friendly interest. Parliament Square is popular on Wednesdays with many protest groups because it is the day of Prime Minister’s questions and therefore a day when more people are in Parliament. A cavalcade announces the arrival of the PM.
    Regular protest groups include an anti Brexit group, a group of Armenian women, Iranian women, trade unionists etc.
    Parliament Square is also popular with tourists and groups of students and school children visiting Parliament. So during the time of the vigil there are a lot of passers by. Some stop and look or take photos, some ask questions and a few take the opportunity to have a rant. Overall I hope that our presence is a reminder that the climate crisis is a real and ongoing issue.
    If you would like to come along and join in od get in touch.
    Judith (russenbergerjudith@gmail.com)

  3. As part of my concern about the climate emergency, I shall be taking part in a prayer vigil at the Excel Centre where Shell will be holding its AGM. I wonder if any other Franciscans would like to join in? It feels particularly pertinent to do this this year as the Church of England’s Pension Board will be voting against the status quo.
    Peace and blessings
    Judith – russenbergerjudith@gmail.com

    “Scientists say the world needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by around 43% by 2030, from 2019 levels, to have any hope of meeting the Paris Agreement goal of keeping global warming well below 2C above pre-industrial levels.
    Shell aims to cut the intensity of planet-warming gases across its portfolio and the use of its products by 20% by 2030 and 100% by 2050. It has ruled out setting absolute emissions cuts targets, including the combustion of its products.
    Measuring emissions by intensity means a company can technically increase its fossil fuel output and overall emissions while using offsets or adding renewable energy or biofuels to its product mix….
    In 2021, a Dutch court ruling, still in appeal, told Shell to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in absolute terms by 45% by 2030 across the entire lifecycle of its hydrocarbons.”(Reporting by Shadia Nasralla; Editing by Mike Harrison)

    In other words, to meet the aims of Paris agreement, Shell should needs to reduce its oils and gas production to zero by 2050. However Shell is arguing that if it increased its production of renewable energy it could offset that against its oil and gas emissions. So if it produced as much green energy as it does fossil fuel energy, it would claim its net emissions would be zero even though it was still producing as much oil and gas (and thus emissions) as at present. (my understanding)

    Earlier this week, Adam Matthews, the chief responsible investment officer for the Church of England Pension Board, wrote in the Telegraph that the fund would be voting against the reappointment Mackenzie, the chair of Shell, and Sawan, its chief executive. He said: “We have lost confidence in the direction of the company.”
    The Guardian reported that The Church’s £3bn retirement fund, a small shareholder in Shell, has accused the company of prioritising short-term profits over investing in renewables and downplaying the importance of green energy.

  4. Dear friends,
    I would like to invite you to join this pilgrimage weekend which will be focusing on the creation-tide theme “Let justice flow on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” Amos 5:24

    I am leading the Sunday afternoon walk from Putney Bridge to Richmond Bridge, departing 1pm and finishing circa 5.30pm. Further details are in the attachment. If the distance seems too long, there is the option to drop in or out en route.

    Please do advertise this in your local community.

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