Thursday 22 September is Loss and Damage Action Day – an international day to stand in solidarity with those living with the worst impacts of climate breakdown, and to call on rich countries and big polluters to pay up for this loss and damage they continue to knowingly cause.
We hope you will join us and other faith communities around the UK in prayer, reflection and action to mark the day. We are inviting you to join us in five activities between now and 22 September – please read on for details.
Actions to take at any time:
· Hold a discussion with a screening of the five-minute film ‘The Global Story of Climate Change Loss and Damage – and Who Should Pay for It’ to help people understand what loss and damage is and why it matters – here is a guide to help you plan a discussion event, online or in person. And here’s some talking points to help you lead a discussion.
· Write to your MP, asking for their backing for UK support for a loss and damage fund paid for by polluters – our friends at Make Polluters Pay will be providing a template to help with this once the new prime minister is announced.
On Loss and Damage Action Day, 22 September:
· Join Green Christian’s online morning prayer session
· Join Make Polluters Pay’s social media action – follow @MakePolluterPay and @FFTCnetwork for details.
· Hold a vigil for loss and damage. This is a powerful way to publicly show solidarity with those at the sharp end of climate breakdown. Our guide to holding an interfaith vigil can also be found on the Make COP Count website, along with more resources including a leaflet to hand out and placards to display.
Everyone is welcome to join in with any of these activities, whether on your own or as a worshipping community, or by joining together with other groups of any faith or none.
We know loss and damage is still an unfamiliar term for lots of people. We’ve put together some answers to common questions about what it means and what we’re calling for – please see the attached ‘talking points’ document. You can also find some stories of loss and damage from people around the world on the Make COP Count website.
This July has given many of us in the UK a glimpse of the reality of the climate crisis. We hold in our prayers all those who are suffering its impacts, wherever they are in the world. We cannot allow the governments of the rich world to stand by any longer. Please join us in calling for an international loss and damage fund, in whatever way you can.
Read our article bereaved and baptised connecting climate grief with loss and damage.
