In the wake of the recent flooding in Rangitata and Australia’s massive bush fires we are called to reflect on our commitment to halt the effects of climate change, however big or small that commitment might be. Te Hahi Mihinare o Aotearoa, NZ, & Polynesia took that commitment beyond our shores to Lincoln in the UK. Moana Water of Life Conference was organised by the Diocese of Lincoln and the University of Lincoln, and was held last month. It brought together members of science and church communities to discuss ways of caring for the environment. Delegates attended from California, Polynesia, New Zealand and Lincoln in the United Kingdom. The challenges of rising tides or falling reservoirs present serious implications in many of these places. The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that climate change will be ‘a central part’ of the conversations at the Lambeth Conference in 2020. With every Anglican Province in attendance climate change initiatives should make a giant leap forward, which ultimately will be good for the planet.
Additionally, a group of organisations has produced the Climate Change Equity Review and was presented at the 25th Climate Conference of the Parties in Madrid on the 4th of December 2019. The report is titled “Can Climate Change fuelled Loss and Damage ever be fair?" The report highlights the central justice-related points, indicates the scale of the problem, shows how a fair shares analysis can be applied to some aspects of the loss and damage issue, and much more. Pacific Island states want to see funds made available to those who suffer loss and damage from climate and ocean destabilisation.