LWF and climate change |
For the LWF, climate change is a question of justice, peace, the care for creation, and human rights. It is also a question of justice between people, nations, and generations. As a young delegation, and people of faith, we have an intergenerational responsibility to care for creation and stand in solidarity with our neighbor.
The LWF's interest in climate change is not new. In fact, institutional memory on matters involving climate justice dates back to 1977 at the Sixth LWF Assembly in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; and since 2013, the LWF Climate Delegation has been making its presence known at COP negotiations, advocating for climate justice and standing in solidarity with those most impacted by the effects of climate change.
Young people have been particulary involved in climate change advocacy, highlighting the need for sustainability and ecological justice. For this year’s UN Conference of Parties on Climate Change (COP22), an LWF delegation of young leaders has been sent again. They are closely working with the LWF communion office and our ecumenical partners ACT Alliance, World Council of Churches, Bread for the World, the YMCA and many more.
Focus on vulnerable communities
Testimony from Ethiopia on climate conference in Marrakech
For the LWF, climate change is a question of justice, peace, the care for creation, and human rights. It is also a question of justice between people, nations, and generations. As a young delegation, and people of faith, we have an intergenerational responsibility to care for creation and stand in solidarity with our neighbor.
The work of the LWF country program in Ethiopia includes assistance to rural small-scale farmers through irrigation schemes, supplying safe clean water for domestic use, training and technical support. During periods of drought or flooding the LWF provides relief food and other forms of assistance to those affected. LWF takes the voice of vulnerable communities in Ethiopia to global forums where decisions are made.
The LWF member church, Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, also carries out rural development projects with communities that are most vulnerable to extreme weather events.
The LWF decided in 2011 to make delegations of youth leaders its primary representatives to the annual UN climate conference.
The young LWF delegates from LWF programs and member churches will share the opportunities and challenges they face in caring for creation during a side event at the global gathering.
For Ethiopia, LWF Ethiopia staff Biruk Kebede talked about the effects of climate change on rural communities.
Follow COP 22
FBOs and Climate projects: Mobilising funding and resources
Round Table discussion led by the LWF delegation at the COP22 climate conference in Marrakech, Marocco.
Saturday, 12 November 2016, 3-5 pm
"Camp Climate", Equity Point Marrakech Hotel, Marocco
COP22: Get Finance out of Fossil Fuels
IMages of the ecumenical action to "Get Finance Out of Fossil Fuels" at the COP22 UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 10 November 2016, by LWF, ACT Alliance and WCC.
Church-based activists hold a banner and chant during an ecumenical action to "Get Finance Out of Fossil Fuels" at the COP22 UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 10 November 2016. (l-r) Khulekani Sizwe Magwasa, Evangelical Lutheran Church In Southern Africa, South Africa; Caroline Bader, LWF Youth Secretary; Patricia Akullo, ACT Alliance; Benson Ireri of Christian Aid; Rt. Rev. Nathan Kyamanywa, Bishop of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese of the Anglican Church of Uganda; and ACT Alliance delegate Leya Penelope Musa-Kamungoma of South Africa.
Church-based activists hold a banner and chant during an ecumenical action to "Get Finance Out of Fossil Fuels" at the COP22 UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 10 November 2016. (l-r) Benson Ireri of Christian Aid; Patricia Akullo, ACT Alliance; Biruk Kebede, LWF World Service Ethiopia; and Rt. Rev. Nathan Kyamanywa, Bishop of Bunyoro-Kitara Diocese of the Anglican Church of Uganda.
Church-based activists pull money from a sack of coal during an ecumenical action to "Get Finance Out of Fossil Fuels" at the COP22 UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 10 November 2016. Dr. Randolf Hazula-Delay of The King's University College, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, played the "Banker". LWF delegates pulled the money out (l-r): Biruk Kebede, 28, LWF World Service Ethiopia and Lily Kwaw, 24, Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Ghana.
Dr. Randolf Hazula-Delay of The King's University College, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, played the "Banker" in a public action in which church-based activists pulled money from a sack of coal symbolizing the need to "Get Finance Out of Fossil Fuels" at the COP22 UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 10 November 2016.
LWF delegates Lily Kwaw, 24, Evangelical Lutheran Church Of Ghana; Ditebogo Caroline Lebea, 19, Evangelical Lutheran Church In Southern Africa, South Africa; and Biruk Kebede, 28, LWF World Service Ethiopia pose for a photo following an ecumenical action to "Get Finance Out of Fossil Fuels" at the COP22 UN climate conference in Marrakech, Morocco, 10 November 2016.
