Methodist Climate Cyclist arrives in Copenhagen

Survey shows that 1 in 5 people are using their cars less

Ben Bradley has cycled 140 miles to the United Nations climate change summit at Copenhagen, with a group organised by Christian Aid.

Ben, Events Coordinator for the Methodist Church, has spent the last three days travelling with a team of 28 Christian Aid cyclists to bring a simple message to world leaders in Copenhagen: It’s not raining, it’s pouring – time to act on climate change.

Last month, a survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of the Methodist Church showed that around 1 in 5 people are using cars less in favour of other forms of transport such as cycling. It also showed that around one in 20 people are flying less.

On arriving in Copenhagen, Ben said: “We may all be tired from cycling, but in an important sense, the real journey starts here. It’s make or break time – at Copenhagen it is essential that our leaders make some hard choices and decide on real action for the future of our planet.” People can find out more about Ben’s journey by visiting his blog: www.climatecycleride.blogspot.com.

The cyclists will join a mass rally in Copenhagen today, lobbying world leaders to take bold action and make real commitments to tackle climate change. While in Copenhagen, Ben also plans to deliver a letter of solidarity from the President of the British Methodist Conference to a church representative from Bangladesh.

The Methodist Church, the Baptist Union of Great Britain and the United Reformed Church have urged the European Union to agree cuts of at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2020 and for these cuts to be made without extensive use of carbon offsets. The three churches have produced a report and study guide called Hope in God’s Future. The booklet, available from Methodist Publishing (www.mph.org.uk), takes the reader on a journey using the changing mood of a worship service as a framework for considering climate change and our impact on the planet.

Source: Methodist News Service 12/12/2009

Methodists Take Action on Climate Change

In case you stop reading before the end of this News Bulletin, I want to draw your attention to the challenge 'Everyone across the connexion is invited to comment'. Please read carefully, on this Blog Action Day:-



Copies of Hope in God’s Future – a report and study guide addressing climate change – are flying off the shelves just days after the first printed editions became available.

The first print run of the booklet has sold out and Methodist Publishing has ordered a second run.

Hope in God’s Future takes the reader on a journey using the changing mood of a worship service as a framework for considering climate change and people’s effect on the planet. It outlines the position of the Methodist Church, The Baptist Union and The United Reformed Church on climate change and invites people to see how deeply faith connects with the challenge facing us.

Thaddeus Dell, Carbon Reduction Policy Officer at the Methodist Church, said: “Hope In God’s Future gets people to understand the science and how this is linked to our Christian theology. Climate change is the greatest challenge to the Church in our generation. The science is overwhelming and it leads us to a moral obligation. It is especially important for people to engage in these issues ahead of the Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.”

The 2009 Methodist Conference adopted sections one to four of Hope in God’s Future as a draft Conference statement. This means that everyone across the Connexion is invited to comment before it returns to the Conference in 2011.

The study guide offers the full text of the report, as well as ideas for creative activities, inspirational prayers and worship, help and advice for leaders, and suggestions for group sessions lasting one or two evenings or even a whole day.

Copies of Hope in God’s Future are available from Methodist Publishing at £5.00 each, with discounts offered for bulk buys of 10 or more.


Source: Methodist News Service 15/09/2009