A nationwide environmental protection campaign - Operation Noah - was officially launched at the weekend in Coventry. An entire day of activities named “The Rainbow Pilgrimage” took place on Saturday 9th October to celebrate the grand opening.

In the morning, around 200 delegates gathered at Methodist Central Hall to attend a conference. Keynote speeches were given by prominent experts of environmental protection, including Christian meteorologist Sir John Houghton FRS, Aubrey Meyer of the Global Commons Institute, Deputy Director-General of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) John Cridland, and Director of Global Action Plan Trewin Restorick. They addressed the current global crisis as well as the possible solutions.

As a former member of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Sir John Houghton, in his speech urged U.S. President George Bush to read the scientific assessments of the IPCC. The US produces one quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions which are contributing towards global warming.

In addition, Sir Houghton said, “it is not enough for Prime Minister Tony Blair to make grand speeches but he has to take specific actions.”

Participants were asked to sign a covenant promising to cut their greenhouse gas emissions. They were also encouraged to put pressure on the UK government and world leaders to do the same.

900 Christians have already signed the climate covenant, according to Operation Noah coordinator, Paul Bodenham. Bodenham expressed his concern over the worst impacts of global warming experienced by populations in poor countries. He suggested that the action draws us into a covenant with vulnerable people as well.

Representing the Climate Network Africa, based in Kenya, Ms Grace Akumu read out a letter welcoming the action of the faith-based groups involved in Operation Noah. She warned that “Africa’s hopes and aspirations are being dashed by the blind pursuit of economic development in industrialised countries”.

After the conference, 500 Christians marched through the streets of Coventry, led by a youth samba band. They carried a model of an ark and a 12 foot high “St. Francis” to remind everyone of the Christian tradition of caring for the natural world.

The day was concluded by an ecumenical service held at Coventry Cathedral. Dr David Hallman, co-ordinator of the World Council of Churches’ climate change programme, described climate change as “an issue of international justice and inter-generational justice”.

The campaign was organised by Christian Ecology Link (CEL) on behalf of the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI).

** [All pictures are from the Christian Ecology Link]