Jim Hunt, an ACEN friend gives the following overview of Environmental Ministry in the Diocese of Auckland, New Zealand in the Province of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia
The work of a Care of Creation Committee is described here.
A former Dean, Bishop Randerson set up a Diocesan Climate Change Action Group, with members from the Cathedral Parish and some other city parishes, convened by Dr Richard Milne a scientist from the University, and including an engineer who has worked on a nuclear power station in England, an industrial journalist in touch with and encouraging local progress, and a lecturer in theology from one of our Bible Colleges, as well as others keen to help in this field, a total of 11 professional people meeting monthly.
The DCCAG set out to instruct and urge action. Presentations were made in a parish in each archdeaconry showing the evidence of scientists and looking at the theology, and suggesting that people make a start by looking at their carbon footprint and working to reduce it. At each meeting email addresses were collected from those who wished to be kept in touch and these people receive frequent copies of reports and stimulating addresses or synod decisions on environmental matters.
The group wondered where all the young people were; then found that the young people had their own action groups and were surprised to find that even the oldies were concerned about their future. When it came to synod a motion was passed unanimously
"THAT this Synod:
- notes that 24 October 2009 has been designated "350 day" as part of an international effort to raise awareness of the need to decrease carbon dioxide concentration in the atmosphere to a safe level of 350 parts per million, and encourages all ministry units to take part in whatever manner they see fit, including the ringing of bells by 350 peels; and
- encourages all ministry units to take the opportunity of the "Feast of Christ in all Creation" (Sunday November 8 or 15) to reflect seriously on climate change issues, either through preaching, liturgy, discussion or other means."
At present the DCCAG is working with a secular group skilled in measuring carbon footprints with the aim of providing parishes with a simple system of measuring their own footprint, and helping all to live sustainably.
The fact that some other dioceses do not have structures like ours does not mean that they do not do anything. Some cities have strong environmental movements with many church people belonging to them, but as individuals rather than church groups.
The Maori part of the church does not say much as such, but as Maori they all are strong on the idea of 'kai tiaki' or 'one who cares' and are very critical of anyone who pollutes shell fish beaches, destroys forests, or kills eels by polluting the rivers.
We now have A Rocha starting up in our country, not with one study and learning centre but with groups in several places finding their niche in a land where there are hundreds of environmental groups already.
Transition Towns have also arrived, telling their story of Totnes, Devon, England, where 'the petroleum incident' is just a blip in a two thousand year history, whereas for us newcomers it takes a much bigger chunk of our development.
350.org and Avaaz and Greenpeace and the rest are all getting busy with promotions to influence our political leaders and get some action at Copenhagen.
I have my private 350 SMER goal of getting 350 Supporters to contribute to encourage Methane Emissions Research, which is important in our country and could be of benefit to the world of animal herders.
In New Zealand most of our electricity generation is from rivers, but we have coal and gas backup and some geothermal and wind turbine technology coming along and solar power is used in a small way. Some are looking at tidal power, but it would have to be done right as our storms are real ones. There is much waste of wood but people are working on this.
Schemes for buying carbon credits have had the disadvantage of setting back plantation planting which could well have been going on as before. Plantation owners and farm foresters have to look ahead for thirty years and more and cannot afford to have people bringing in artificial restraints.
We are slow to turn to vehicles with new power schemes, except for electric bicycles, as we now depend on other countries for manufacture. Hybrid and the occasional electric plug in are seen. Even our inventions, like the Yikebike and Whispergen tend to go to overseas manufacturers or die before birth.
Two of the DCCAG people have written books – Rod Oram, Reinventing Paradise is all for taking a new look at what can be done, and Nicola Hoggard-Creegan wrote a booklet called, God's Earth, Our Home for study groups.