'People’s lives and livelihoods are threatened as temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable.'

The clock is ticking for the 20 campaigners taking part in the longest protest march in history. Christian Aid's Kate Tuckett explains

Between 14 July and 2 October 20 marchers will raise awareness all over the UK and Ireland about climate change not being a problem in the future: it’s a very real and immediate crisis for millions of poor people today.

The 1,000 miles will finish at the London Stock Exchange, and will include major rallies and smaller local events along the route.

Keep reading to find out how you and your church can get involved.

Why climate change?

Climate change is a justice issue that has to be addressed if we are to continue our work of ending poverty.

Our planet is warming at an unprecedented rate, and human activity in the developed world has brought about this change. This is already having a devastating effect on developing countries.

People’s lives and livelihoods are threatened as temperatures rise and weather patterns become more unpredictable. As hot countries become still hotter, disease is spreading.

For example, the highlands of Tanzania and Rwanda, previously unaffected by malaria, have seen the rate of infection rise dramatically in recent years. Prolonged periods of drought in many other countries are wrecking harvests and ruining lives.

Flooding

Rapid melting of the polar ice caps is threatens widespread flooding, and the disappearance of glaciers means water shortages for hundreds of millions of people in South America and Asia.

Rising ocean temperatures fuel more intense and destructive extreme weather events, and the expansion of warming oceans, together with melting polar ice and collapsing ice sheets, could raise sea levels by up to six metres – enough to flood land occupied by billions of people.

In any disaster, whether natural or man-made, it is the poor who suffer most, and the ongoing effects of climate change are no exception.

Rich countries can afford to rebuild stronger houses and protect people’s livelihoods, but poor countries simply do not have the means to do this. Poor countries are suffering as a direct result of our lifestyles in the developed world. Climate change is a justice issue.

The campaign

UK carbon emissions comprise 2% of the global total. But the activity of UK companies worldwide raises that figure to 12-15%.

Christian Aid wants the UK to be a leader in negotiating a new global agreement, but to argue effectively for such an agreement, we recognise the need to get our own house in order.

So we’ve calculated our own carbon footprint and are urging other companies to do the same.

Many companies have already made a start, recognising that their customers and investors want them to be good global citizens. But we’re calling for legislation to make it compulsory for companies to declare their true carbon footprint – and to commit to reducing emissions by 5% per year.

Why campaign?

The Christian gospels show us how Jesus brought good news to the poor. He met with poor people, spoke up for poor people and, significantly, challenged the systems that made them poor.

Christian Aid is committed to tackling the underlying causes of poverty as well as its consequences, and this means focusing on big international problems that individual aid cannot address.

As Christians, we can act in the name of Jesus by speaking up for the world’s poorest people, by standing in solidarity with them as we pressurise our leaders to bring about a more just world.

And campaigning works. Christian Aid campaigners let their feet do the talking at the Stop Paying for Poverty march in September, and claimed a campaign victory.

The previous day the then Development Secretary Hilary Benn had met a delegation led by a Christian Aid representative, accompanied by partners. This advocacy would not have happened without an extensive campaign culminating in the march.

By the time Hilary Benn appeared on the radio on the morning of the march, the government position had shifted. He stated that the UK government would withhold £50million of its contribution to the World Bank, in protest against the organisation’s continued use of economic conditions on loans to poor countries.

What can you do?

Twenty marchers are just the start. There are plenty of ways that you and your church can get involved.

Look at the route of the march here and contact your local office for details of what is going on in your area. Your local office can also advise about points of the march at which the public can join in.

You could arrange to travel on public transport in a group, or even hire a minibus or coach. Please contact your local office to help you publicise any transport you arrange. 

Why not make a banner giving the name of your church and ‘Cut the Carbon’?  Bring your picnics, listen to the bands and speakers, and enjoy the time together.  

The rallies will also give you the chance to sign a petition asking the government to make it a requirement for companies to declare their carbon emissions. We’ll be asking you to donate a shoelace together with the petition card as a symbol of commitment to the campaign.

Wherever you live, come to London on 2 October to complete the final mile of the march past the London Stock Exchange with thousands of other campaigners.

The march will culminate at 2pm on October 2nd in a special Christian Aid service at St Paul’s Cathedral. A high-profile speaker will be present. The event is free, but you will need a ticket: call 0207 523 2258 for details.

Please join Christian Aid in solidarity with those who do not have a voice of their own. By cutting your own carbon footprint, and by lobbying the UK government and businesses to do the same, you are taking powerful action to bring about a fairer world.

Keep in touch with the Carbon March by clicking here