Climate change, although something which will affect us all, is a deeply racialised phenomenon. As highlighted in Christian Aid’s landmark Black Lives Matter Everywhere report, Black and brown people in Africa, the Caribbean, India and other parts of the global south are facing the brunt of the impacts. Here in the UK, 50% of Black Christians don’t think that the environmental movement is racially diverse enough, and are keen for their churches to stand up for justice.
The avoidance of moral courage is an absence of our prophetic faith. Let us stand up for all of God’s creation including those mostly affected by climate change for a more hopeful and bright future.
- Revd Rosemarie Mallett (Archdeacon of Croydon, Diocese of Southwark)
As part of its work on climate justice, Christian Aid brought together a group of senior Black church leaders and Christian climate activists of colour, to increase the visibility of their perspectives on environmental issues. We have co-developed a range of resources providing powerful insights into the distinctive contributions of Black and other diverse voices on climate justice. We hope they will increase understanding of climate justice among Black Christians and inspire positive action with Christian Aid.
Our survival is at stake, it should be amongst the most urgent theological issues for our action and meditation. Inaction could result in a life or death situation for our brothers and sisters suffering in our home countries and indeed other areas in the global South.
- Dr David Muir (Senior Lecturer of Ministerial Theology, Roehampton University)
In Nigerian Igbo language, God is called Chineke meaning “God of creation; God the creator.” There is an inclination that the earth belongs to the Lord and we must be good stewards of our creator’s land as also stated in Psalm 24.
- Dr Marcus Chilaka (Ecumenical Lead, Living Water Parish, RCCG)