Life in the balance

FAITH IN 'ACTION' IS OUR HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

It was perhaps inevitable that the COP 26 talks were going to end in a compromise on how to combat global warming, but although there's been disappointment, the final decision reflects leaders, delegates and activists' intentions to keep 1.5C not just alive but at the front of continuing efforts. There is a perceptible determination not to give up. The talks have provided a new and growing awareness, people from all walks of life are more informed and public opinion is already shifting. Businesses are changing practices not just because it is 'good' but because it is becoming more of a viable option for them and because their employees/customers are asking for it.

In the gospel James 2 says "Faith without works (actions) is dead" and just hours after COP 26 ended, Pope Francis urged all political and economic leaders to "act immediately with courage and far sightedness" as he addressed the crowds in St Peter's Square, outside the Basillica, in the Vatican. He further implored "all persons of goodwill to carry out active citizenry" to care for our common home and spoke of how the "cry of the poor, united to the cry of the Earth" in the last days of the conference in Glasgow.

Faith communities had a massive presence at COP 26 and as many thousands of people of different denominations and faiths continued to lobby and pray for a positive outcome, church pressure on the summit was kept up throughout. There were pilgrimages and marches, led services and side events. Faith leaders even made a last-ditch attempt to improve the outcome of the talks by signing a strongly worded open letter to delegates as the summit entered its final hours and were praised for bringing faith, resilience and 'hope in action' to the conversations being held.

As emissions continue to rise, and all sectors of the economy need to be decarbonised we need a 'systems' change and it was hoped that COP 26 would be able to deliver that pace of transformation in line with the increased urgency we face. Although we're still far from where we need to be, initial responses have seen disappointment and anxiety balanced with hope as people's indignations rise, and with it more 'calls to respond'. The message that we must not surpass the ceiling of 1.5C is loud and clear to the world and will hopefully force the acceleration of further positive activity, especially as actions and commitments will now be reviewed at the end of 2022 (instead of in 5 years' time).

Further good news is that 'Nature' has finally been recognised as our greatest protector from the worst impacts of the climate crisis and the importance of conserving and restoring it was recognised with a $20bn commitment of public and private money for forest protection - along with more than 100 countries pledging to reverse deforestation by 2030 at the latest. Earlier in the proceedings it was also announced that an area of 23,000 square miles had been added to the Galapagos Marine Reserve, connecting the Galapagos and the Cocos Islands off Costa Rica, protecting a 'marine superhighway' for sharks, rays, tuna, turtles and whales.

Early feedback is that we need to see the results of COP 26 as a bottle that's 'half-full' rather than 'half-empty' and maximise the current momentum. There were many inspiring individuals and events at COP 26 and Governments shifted having heard the voices of society, may this give us all a renewed impetus to keep going!