UN Climate Change Conference
The international climate change talks are set to start in Copenhagen in December and Earth’s future is at stake. It’s time for us to do everything we can to ensure that Canada takes a progressive stance at these negotiations and that the world community emerges from Copenhagen with a just, binding, science-based climate treaty.
Brothers and sisters around the globe are already experiencing the devastating effects of climate injustice—show your solidarity with God’s peoples and the Earth!
What can you do? RING YOUR BELLS!
KAIROS is asking every church in the country to ring its church bells 350 times for climate justice on Sunday December 13, 2009 at 3:00pm (your local time zone).
Sunday December 13 is a day of action for churches around the world. A global bell ringing action is timed to coincide with an ecumenical service that the World Council of Churches is coordinating at the height of the talks in Copenhagen. When it ends at 3:00 pm, churches all over Denmark will ring their bells.
If churches around the world ring their bells at 3:00 pm local time, we’ll have a 24 hour chain of bells! Can’t manage at 3:00? How about when church ends? That way your entire church community can be involved!
Why church bells? Because for thousands of years, they’ve been used to warn people of imminent danger … and also to call people to action. Got no bells? Gather outside with pots and pans, cowbells, whatever you have that can make a holy racket!
Why 350 times? Because according to climate experts, 350 parts per million (ppm) is the upper limit for carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in our atmosphere. Until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 ppm of CO2, but now the concentration stands at 390 ppm. Unless we are able to rapidly reduce, we risk irreversible impacts on all of Creation. 350 a little too much noise for your neighbourhood? Try 35!
The danger is real; the time to act is now!
To make sure people know why you’re ringing your bells, we’ve created a poster that you can put up outside your church. Register your event with us and we’ll send you a copy! You can also make banners or signs with slogans like “Ringing our Bells for Climate Justice Now! … Canada: Make a Real Deal in Copenhagen!” You could even invite those who pass by to come and join in. Offer some hot apple cider or another local drink! Bell ringing is a great intergenerational activity!
Remember! If you plan to ring your bells, let us know! Register your church on our Canadian Climate Bell Ringer list. Contact Sara Stratton, KAIROS Education and Campaigns Coordinator for Sustainability:
sstratton@kairoscanada.orgAnd after the fact, send along photos and/or videos of your activity!
Related Links
KAIROS Copenhagen news page