|PIC1|Climate change was described as a 'weapon of mass destruction' by a leading scientist during a special breakfast event this week.

Almost 100 local church leaders and politicians gathered in Belfast to be briefed by Sir John Houghton of the Nobel Peace Prize winning Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

During the breakfast on Tuesday, he challenged the gathering to reduce its carbon emissions. He stated the global average temperature rise must be kept as far below two degrees Celsius as possible.

Warning of the consequences should the challenge not be heeded, Sir John said: "The impacts of global warming are such that I have no hesitation in describing it as a weapon of mass destruction."

Green Party MLA Brian Wilson and Joe Furphy from Eco-congregation also addressed the politicians and church leaders present, highlighting the role that each could play in addressing the 'Two degrees... one chance' challenge. Eco-congregation is an environmental programme which shows UK congregations how to care for God's creation.

The breakfast, hosted by Presbyterian Moderator Rev John Finlay and Bishop of Down and Dromore Harold Miller, was a Micah Challenge event to highlight the impact of climate change on the world's poorest communities.

Micah Challenge is a global movement of Christians, churches and Christian organisations united to call on world governments to work towards meeting the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The MDGs are eight targets set in 2000 to halve global poverty by 2015, and MDG seven relates to environmental sustainability.

Speaking after the event Tim Magowan, National Manager of Tearfund Ireland, a local Micah Challenge partner, said: "All around the world poor people are already seeing changes in the weather consistent with climate change predictions and it is appropriate that we take practical steps here in Northern Ireland to help them."

Stephen Cave, National Director of Evangelical Alliance Northern Ireland, another local Micah Challenge partner, added: "'Two degrees... one chance' is a stark message but in the run up the UN Climate Change Conference to be held this December in Bali, it is vital that our local politicians and church leaders engage seriously with this challenge."