Are UK churches doing enough to fight climate change?

A recent video on BBC News features young churchgoers and their thoughts about faith and the battle to halt climate change. Many were concerned about climate change but told the BBC they had never heard a Sunday sermon on the issue.

The BBC news video drew on the recent research carried out by Tearfund and Youthscape. Their survey had found that:

- 9 out of 10 Christian teenagers say they are concerned about climate change
- Just 1 in 10 believe their church is doing enough to respond to the climate crisis

What can UK Churches do to combat this concern among young people?

There are a number of resources that churches can use and suggest to their congregations to read. These include:

• - Saying Yes to Life by Ruth Valerio

Originally published as The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2020, Saying Yes to Life is a book that can be read no matter what time of year. There are also accompanying video resources featuring interviews with Christiana Figueres, Sir Martin Lees, Bernadette Kabonesa, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, and Professor Meric Srokosz.

Churches can also make sure of the Saying Yes to Life small group study on homegroups.org.uk > https://homegroups.org.uk/series/saying-yes-to-life-full-course/

• - Time to Act

Time to Act is a resource book by the Christians in Extinction Rebellion. Reflecting on the Christian tradition of non-violent direct action, churches can make use of the powerful sermons, prayers, liturgies, and other spiritual resources included within the book.

• - Creation in Crisis: Christian Perspectives on Sustainability
• - A Political Theology of Climate Change
• - Christianity and the Renewal of Nature
• - Christianity, Climate Change and Sustainable Living
• - Jesus and the Earth
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And for younger readers:

- Planet Protectors: 52 Ways to Look After God's World by Paul Kerensa and Ruth Valerio (Publishing June 2021)