|TOP|A new report from Christian Ecology Link has warned that a low consumption, non-nuclear energy strategy is a ‘moral imperative’ to ensure the preservation of God’s creation.

Faith and Power, the new report launched at the end of last week, urges politicians to adopt an energy strategy based upon the Christian principles of wise stewardship, peacemaking, justice, love for neighbours and moderation in consumption.

The principles “require much greater attention to promoting energy efficiency and restraining consumer demand, a bold switch from using fossil fuels to renewable sources of energy and the phasing out of nuclear reactors in electricity generation,” the report stated.

The report has won the backing of a number of high church figures including the Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, who said: “Christian Ecology Link's paper Faith and Power comes to conclusions similar to those of the Sustainable Development Commission which I welcome.

|QUOTE|“What we lack is the commercial leadership to invest in renewable sources of power and the political leadership to reduce our energy consumption.

“People of faith and goodwill must work together to educate and inspire the public to use their own power as consumers and citizens to ensure the future health and safety of the planet.”

The highly respected Catholic priest, Fr Sean McDonagh, author of a number of books on environmental issues, also expressed his support for the new report.

“This document presents a very convincing case,” he said. “The study is grounded in an authentic understanding of Christian discipleship in terms of the contemporary challenge to love God, our neighbour and God's creation, which is now deeply wounded. It calls all of us to a change of heart in the way we view and use energy.“

|AD|Tearfund president, Elaine Storkey, backed the need for more moderate energy consumption highlighted by the report. “The report shows we need to be meek to inherit a good earth,” she said.

Restraint is one of the key callings for a greener energy strategy in the report, along with efficiency and conservation. Faith and Power also welcomed the emerging decentralised renewable energy supply options.

The report follows on from the readiness of the government to work more closely with representatives of faith communities on environmental issues.

It stated: “The high consumption, nuclear path may appear easier for government to pursue in the short term, but we believe that there is a moral duty to follow a more challenging and more sustainable option.

"We conclude that substantially enhanced Government support for efficient, less profligate energy consumption and investment in renewable sources of energy supply rather than nuclear power is a moral imperative.”