God's Green Fingers
Environment e-News for the 

Diocese of West Yorkshire and the Dales
July 2016 - Issue 9

Its a packed God's Green Fingers this month with lots of churchyard action and plenty happening on the national and global scene. Make sure you check out the Creation Time resources ready for September. 
God Bless
Jemima 
Diocesan Environment Officer 01423 569121 
 New Life for Old Fruit Trees
Nine fruit trees have been planted in the Church yard at All Saint's, Otley. All are old varieties, which were grown in the local orchards 100 years ago. Dave Cherry of the church's Sustainability Group reports.


 Making the most of Cherishing Churchyards Week
Preserving grassland habitats, pollinators, gravestone history, 35 bird species: St Chad's churchyard, Far Headingly, Leeds had lots to share with the local community during Cherishing Churchyards Week as the    Yorkshire Post explains.
 
How could you use of your churchyard resource? Caring for God's  Acre can help.
The Priestley International Centre  for Climate Change was launched on 14th June with a public "Climate Question Time" featuring an impressive panel of politicians, climate scientists and journalists  including  Lord Deben , chair of the Committee on Climate Change) and  Piers Sellers  .   Read More 
 National News
Amid the Brexit turmoil the UK government has managed to pass the 5th Carbon Budget, setting a world leading target to reduce emissions by 57% by 2032 (based on 1990 levels). But are there sufficient policies in place to make this achievable? Read more
 
Anglican Church to develop disaster strategy as Pacific      islands disappear 

The General Synod of the Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia resolved to establish a "clear resilience strategy" to strengthen its response to future natural disasters in the Pacific islands. Five vegetated reef islands have vanished and a further six islands are experiencing severe shoreline recession.   Read More


 April the seventh month in a row to smash global record
Figures from  NASA show the global temperature was 1.1C above average in April. This smashes the previous record but the largest margin ever recorded. 


 New crop varieties 'can't keep up with global warming'
A study says temperatures are rising faster than the development of crop varieties that can cope with a warmer world. Investment is needed in crop research as part of climate adaptation plans.  Read More


 What will you do in the Week of Action?

From 8th-16th October local events will be taking place all over the country to celebrate the people, places and things we want to protect from climate change. Show the love and start planning your local events now. Details



Five found guilty of trying to prevent climate change
Five Christians have been found guilty of causing criminal damage after they whitewashed the walls of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC). All members of Christian Climate Action, a non-violent protest group, re-branded
 it the 'Department for Extreme Climate Change' in black paint. Details 


Magazine Magic

Brexit- What are the environmental issues? Jemima Parker explains why she thinks it is a distraction from the real issues.
Resources Corner

The European Christian Environmental Network (ECEN) urges churches to adopt a Time for Creation stretching from 1 September to the feast of St Francis on 4 October.  How can you adopt this in your church? 

Book Review 
Hope in the Age of Despair
"This is a great book for Christians who are not afraid to face reality but want to do so with the certainty of Christian hope."
Review by John Steley

Green Joke...
Events
Local

13 July Frack Free Leeds Meeting 6-8pm The George Pub LS1 3BB Leeds More

14 July Living With Fracking -  Short Film & Information Event 7.30pm Harrogate Details

1 September  Pray and Fast for the Climate prayer meeting 
 12-1
pm St Mark's
 
  Flyer

National

6 July  Delivering Energy Efficient Homes Westminster Briefing. Day conference, central London. Details

16-17 July Go off the grid for Shelterbox  More

16-17 July Tearfund Sustainable Living Retreat Manchester. More

20 July Spiritual ecology: aliveness and the metamorphosis of science 6.30pm St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, London Details

1 August  Pray and Fast for the Climate  - prayer resources available  here

1 September  Pray and Fast for the Climate  - prayer resources available  here

21 September Faith For The Climate Symposium  5-9pm St John's Church, Waterloo Rd, London More 

8-9 Sept Zero Carbon Britain Course The Centre for Alternative Technology Details

6 October and 2 November Churchyard Trees Conferences Liverpool Cathedral and St John's Church, Waterloo, London. Details

8-16 October Week of Action to celebrate the people, places and things we want to protect from climate change. Start planning your local events. Details