Last year at the annual Justice and Peace Links Conference for Religious CAFOD asked us if we would be willing to be part of a Campaign for Climate Justice, lobbying Parliament similar to what was done in the campaign for "Making Poverty History.  This had unanimous approval.

As religious men and women, we are in an important position to highlight the moral imperative that rich governments such as ours, has to take responsibility for tackling climate change and its impact on the world's poorest.

Climate change is a question of justice as it is threatening the future of the planet that we all depend on for our water, food and shelter.  Rich nations consume the majority of the earth's resources whilst the poorest countries bear the brunt of extreme weather conditions.  As a result the efforts and progress made in reducing poverty could be wiped out by floods, droughts and extreme weather. Out of compassion and in solidarity with all God's people, our faith calls us to act.

On Wednesday 23rd April, Religious men and women descended on the House of Commons, Westminister determined to express the concerns of ordinary people and to ask their MP's for a greater strengthening of the Bill, now before Parliament, to reduce carbon emissions by 2030.

On arrival at Central Hall, Westminister, we were welcomed by Chris Bain, the director of CAFOD and he introduced three speakers:

Fr Sean McDonagh who has written many books on ecology, spoke of the wonder of creation and the garden planet i.e. the earth which cares for us and sustains us but which we are gradually and increasingly destroying by our carbon emissions.  If we act now to reduce emissions, then our grandchildren will thank us in 30 years' time; if we don't act now their future will be bleak.

Sr Nuala Mottley of the Presentation Order spoke of how her communities had reflected on how they could reduce carbon emissions.  She encouraged all Congregations to do the same.  She also urged us all to use every opportunity to speak out and to explain to people the problems of our abuse of the planet, our  wasteful life styles, and to set a good example ourselves.

Mark Dowd told us simply and clearly the points we should raise with our MP's during the afternoon for example: as Britian is the first country to draft a Bill in order to reduce carbon emissions it is essential to get it right because 17 countries had asked for our help; that it was essential to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2030 and not 60% by 2050 as it is in the Bill.  Also that shipping and air travel should be included.

We had an appointment with our first MP at 1.30p.m.  The MP for Wimbledon, Stephen Hammond, listened, questioned and noted our points and said he would consider them carefully.  His assistant asked us what we were actually doing in our Congregation and we reluctantly admitted "not enough".

At 2.00p.m. we met the MP for Luton North, Kelvin Hopkins. He took us to the Members' restuarant for a coffee  during which we discussed the Bill and found him most supportive of the Campaign for Climate Justice.  He said he had advocated better insulation of houses for many years and he himelf always goes by train, not car.

On our way back to St Stephen's Hall, we met the MP for Rotherham, Denis McShane, who expressed interest for our campaign.

Between 4p.m. and 5p.m. we had a very moving service, reflecting on the beauty of creation and thanking God for all the resources he has given us to use sustainably and simply.

It was emphasised how we as Christians should play our part in preserving the planet and how if each one took some small step the overall effect would be dramatic.