St Mary-le-Bow Church played host on 16 March to a two-pulpit debate jointly arranged by St Paul’s Cathedral Institute and JustShare.
Titled ‘Should the Private Sector Lead on Climate Change?’, this dialogue addressed the interesting question ‘What and who are the most effective drivers of widespread and measurable change?’
The conclusion was that both the public and private sectors need to give a strong and consistent lead on climate change, and so does the whole of civil society – not least, all faith groups, including the Christian faith and the Church of England.
But that leadership can only take us so far: if we are to tackle climate change effectively, cultures have to change. Private individuals – all of us – have to change our ways of thinking and acting.
The principal contributors included Baroness Bryony Worthington (Executive Director, Environment Defense Fund Europe) and Jonathan Shopley (Managing Director, Natural Capital Partners). Brian Cuthbertson (Head of Environment and Sustainability at the Diocese of London) summed up. The event was chaired by Helen Wildsmith (Stewardship Director, Climate Change, CCLA).
On the same day, Brian Cuthbertson had addressed the interfaith group of Westminster Cathedral on Pope Francis’s hugely influential and beneficial encyclical Laudato Si’, about the environment and sustainability, and on the Year of Mercy. Drawing links between the two, and contemporary challenges including the migrant crisis, he concluded that God relies on us to show His compassion in the world.
Why not read the Pope’s Laudato Si’ – On care for our common home, and find out what the fuss was about?
The think tank Theos published a blog about the encyclical, with contributions from a range of contributors, including Brian Cuthbertson.
Brian Cuthbertson’s talks at St Mary le Bow and Westminster Cathedral may also be downloaded below.
