Rachel Mash

The Provincial Synod of the Anglican Church of Southern Africa (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini meeting in Benoni under the leadership of Archbishop Thabo Makgoba passed a resolution calling for a Moratorium on Data Centres.    THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF SOUTHERN AFRICA CALLS FOR A MORATORIUM ON DATA CENTRES The Archbishop called for “the championing of the integrity of God’s Creation … in an era characterized by “unbelievably radical technological change”. Whereas; We are entering the Fourth Industrial Revolution: artificial intelligence (AI), big data, cloud computing This Revolution is not free, it is  being powered by data centres: These  are enormous industrial facilities filled with thousands of powerful computers that generate intense heat and require continuous cooling. They consume vast quantities of electricity and, depending on their cooling systems, significant quantities of water. Water Impact: Huge data centres may be prioritised over domestic use once contracts are signed. We cannot justify allocating scarce potable water to cooling machines while communities struggle to secure reliable water for drinking, sanitation, food gardens and livelihoods Closed loop systems would increase electricity use significanctly Electricity is still unstable and we are moving slowly towards renewables. Data centres usage is enormous, for example currently  25 % of the electricity usage in Ireland. Singapore  20%, Germany 10% is now going to data centres. Noise pollution for the local community – and generators for back up -as data centres provide for 24 hour international customers. Many countries and States are now calling for moratoriums and restrictions on Data Centres  due to their impact on electricity prices, quality of water and noise pollution including 13 States in the USA , Ireland, Australia, the Netherlands. South Africa is being seen by tech companies and an open door for this ‘new era of technology” A moratorium does not mean rejecting technology or digital innovation. It means pausing the approval of new large-scale data centres until South Africa has the information, regulations and safeguards needed to make responsible decisions   This Synod Resolves : to Support a call for a Moratorium on new Data Centres in Southern Africa We call for a moratorium while government conducts a national assessment of the sector. This should establish transparent reporting of water and electricity consumption; assess cumulative impacts on stressed catchments and electricity networks; require meaningful community consultation; examine the climate and biodiversity impacts; establish minimum efficiency standards; and ensure that data centres do not compete with households and essential services for scarce water and electricity. South Africa should not become a place where global technology companies can secure our scarce resources while the environmental and social costs are carried by local communities.  Digital development must serve people and the planet, not place additional pressure on the very resources upon which life depends   Proposer: Canon Shaun Cozett Seconder: Ven. Mpho Mohale

2027 will be the year of the “Africa COP” to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia An interfaith campaign was launched on the sidelines of the 14th Conference on Climate Change and Development in Africa uniting faith communities across the continent behind one demand: that climate commitments finally become climate action, delivered fairly, and delivered where it’s needed most. The key Anglican representative  was Bishop Emily  Onyango – Assistant Bishop in the Diocese of Bondo in the Anglican Church of Kenya The ask is simple. Implementation of climate finance, adaptation and just transition commitments must be: This campaign is being carried forward by a growing coalition of interfaith partners, including ACT Alliance, Norwegian Church Aid’s Advocacy Programme Africa, the All Africa Conference of Churches, GreenFaith Africa, the Laudato Si’ Movement, EOC-DICAC, among many others across Africa’s faith traditions, and we’re proud to be building this alongside such a wide network of colleagues working towards climate justice. You can read and sign the petition here: https://interfaithclimatecampaign.org/#

More than 100 people gathered at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Kalk Bay, Cape Town, on 1 September for Living Water: Cape Town’s Sacred Heritage and Shared Future, an ecumenical Season of Creation gathering co-hosted with St James Catholic Church. Dr Vanessa Farr of Mycelium Water Stories explored Cape Town’s remarkable water heritage and the connections between water, ecology, social justice and spirituality. A Living with Water exhibition by Dominica Hunter and a panel conversation with Vanessa, Anna Barron and Dominica invited participants to consider how communities can move from awareness to participation and care for our precious water sources. The gathering forms part of a wider Cape Town Living Waters Season of Creation programme, connecting events and initiatives across the city from 1 September to 4 October. 💧 From the mountain to the sea, water connects us all.    

From the Temple flow streams of living water Under the theme of “Living Water” the Season of Creation was launched in Cape Town with an Ecumenical Service with Archbishop Sipuka , Catholic Archbishop of  Cape Town and chairperson of the South African Council of Churches. The service  was held at the Groote Kerk,  at the oldest Dutch Reformed Church in the country with a past history of providing theological support for apartheid. As the Archbishop climbed the many steps to the pulpit towering above us I reflected on how in the past streams of poisonous theology had flowed from that very pulpit -causing  suffering to generations. In past decades the  church has sharply pivoted away from that past and is a now a site of reconciliation, hope and interfaith dialogue. How wonderful then to see the Archbishop use that very same pulpit to launch the ecumenical Season of Creation – instead of pain flowing from the  temple, now streams of living water would flow. The Season of Creation is a season of unity, as we hear the cry of the poor and the cry of the Earth. In his powerful message the Archbishop reflected on Living water -reminding us that water can also become destructive  due to our failure to care for Creation – he spoke of the pain of the people of Nepal and Tibet who have lost their lives as the melting glacier fell into the river creating devastating floods. He also talked of the fear of too little water here in Cape Town as we face the potential of drought ahead as El Nino draws closer. He challenged us to take seriously the call to care for Creation and  and to open our concept of Ubuntu beyond humanity to all of creation. Because of Water – we are . Local ministers from the city centre churches led the service – Rev Riaan de Villiers – Groote Kerk,  Dean Robert – St Mary’s Cathedral; Rev Sikawu – Central Methodists,  Rev Annie Kirke -St George’s Cathedral, Rev Sybil – Lutheran Church, JP Roberts representing the “Together for Creation” ecumenical youth  and Rev Rachel Mash -from the SACC Climate Commission who introduced the history of the Season of Creation and the Feast of Creation/World Day of Prayer for Creation       

Please find sermon notes from the Anglican Communion Environmental Network, based on the readings from the Revised Common Lectionary