For Creed and Creation

05/09/07

On Saturday 15 September the Bishop of Kensington will host an Area Conference on climate change and the Church's response to the challenges facing the environment. The conference is co-hosted by David Shreeve, Chair of the Conservation Foundation, and is part of a series taking place in the Church of England.

Speakers will include the Revered Professor Ian James on the science of climate change and its impact on humanity; Ruth Davis, Head of Climate Change at the RSPB on the impact biodiversity. Having outlined the problem, we will then turn to look at the Christian response to the current crisis. The Bishop of Thetford will give a theological response, and David Shreeve and Claire Foster will then outline the practical response of the Church of England. A question and answer session will follow.

Over lunch there will be market stalls hosted by a number of organisations with resources and advice to offer.

In the afternoon there will be two very practical sessions: by Jo Rathbone from Eco-congregation on what to do to at home and in church to make a difference and on from Stewart Henchie, Head of Hardy Display Section at Kew Gardens on gardening at home and in churchyards to encourage biodiversity. The conference will close with two reflections on the day and an act of worship.

The photograph shows women in Tamil Nadu, India, making the fair trade, organic cotton bags that will be given to delegates at the Conference, which is supported by funding from DEFRA.