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FROM AUSTRALIA TO ZAMBIA, FAITH INSITUTIONS  ARE DIVESTING  FROM FOSSIL FUELS On Tuesday, five days before the United Nations 26th Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, faith institutions around the world united for the largest-ever joint divestment announcement. In total, 72 faith institutions from six continents with more than $4.2 billion of combined assets under management announced their commitment to divest from fossil fuels. The institutions’ prophetic actions follow the recent call from Pope Francis and other faith leaders to global governments to address the “unprecedented ecological crisis” ahead of COP26. The announcement comes from faith institutions in Australia, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Zambia. Participating institutions include the Church of England Dioceses of Truro and Sodor and Man, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland; the Central Finance Board of the Methodist Church in the UK; the Presbyterian Church of Wales; the Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Catholic universities in the United States and the UK; the Sisters of Charity of Australia; Caritas Nepal; 15 Catholic dioceses in England, Scotland and Ireland; 19 churches in the Greek Catholic Church in Ukraine; and the Buddhist religious movement Soka Gakkai International – UK. Last month, more than 20 Southern African Anglican bishops including the Archbishop of Cape Town, the three bishops of Mozambique and the Bishop of Namibia called for an immediate halt to gas and oil exploration in Africa. They said that ‘a new era of economic colonialism by fossil fuel companies is well underway’ and that ‘Africa’s natural habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate through the extraction of oil and gas’. Rt Revd Hugh Nelson, Bishop of St Germans in the Church of England Diocese of Truro, said: ‘We are proud to be able to say we no longer invest in companies whose principal business involves the extraction, production or refining of coal, gas and oil. We know there is still a long way to go and we will be looking very closely at all our investments to try and divest wherever we find an indirect link to extraction but we are pleased to have taken this first, big step.’ Bishop Luke Pato of Namibia said: ‘We are guardians of the land for the generations to come. Namibia is the driest country south of the Sahara and our ground water is the heritage we leave for our children and grandchildren. We cannot risk drilling operations that pollute precious water sources, abuse indigneous rights and threaten the heritage site of the Okavango Delta.’ Vanessa Nakate, Ugandan climate justice activist, said: ‘Because of the existing human activities against the earth, the land mourns. The suffering is set upon the people and the planet. When nature is destroyed, we destroy ourselves. We all have a responsibility towards creation, to protect and conserve for the present and future generations.’ Revd Dr Rachel Mash, Environmental Coordinator of Green Anglicans, said: ‘Faced with environmental devastation, pollution of precious water sources and abuse of land rights caused by fossil fuel companies, it is easy for those on the frontline of climate change to feel overwhelmed by the power of these corporations. When we hear that faith communities are taking their money out of these companies, it rekindles hope that we are not alone.’ Ready for your institution to join them? Hear from the institutions that divested and how they did it during a special COP26-themed conversation on Thursday. COP26, Fossil Fuel Divestment and a Just Transition for All REGISTER NOW Note: The conversation will be in English with live translations in Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, and French. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cop26-fossil-fuel-divestment-and-a-just-transition-for-all-tickets-190445406337    

#MyriverMysea2021 The Anglican Diocesan of Natal – Creation Care Network pioneered a parish based project to coincide with the International Coastal Clean Up on the 18th of September 2021. This initiative is part of the Season of Creation focus for September each year. The philosophy behind the project was to get parishes to see that every Parish impacts on the Ocean via the local river that flows through the parish. Parishes were asked to identify the rivers within the Catchment (the drainage area) that the Parish is based and identify the other organisations who are involved with care of creation within the parish boundaries.  Scouting South Africa was identified as a youth program that engages with environmental issues and three Scout troops were involved this year. Parishes organised their own clean-ups, or joined other organisations and participated there. the following Parishes were involved: The Youth of the Durban North Archdeaconry The Youth of the Durban Central Archdeaconry All Saints Bellair with St Mark’s Hillary – with 1st Malvern Scouts. St Paul’s Durban St Gabriel’s Wentworth Good Shepherd Amanzimtoti – With 1st Umbogintwini Scouts St Mary’s Kingsburgh – with 1st Amanzimtoti Scouts St Luke’s Karkloof with – African Cooperative Action Trust. The following sites were participated in: Blue Lagoon; Cuttings Beach Amanzimtoti Lagoon Lidgetton Addington Beach Durban North Organised a tree planting event which is also an important aspect of Creation Care. People were enlightened about the magnitude of the problem of plastic pollution and the need for ongoing intervention. the #MyRiversMysea project will make eth efforts of the church to engage with environmental issues both practical, visible and build relationships in the community.  This initiative is a multi-stakeholder event with numerous organisations doing great work to address the leakage of Plastic into the environment. The Creation Care Network of the Diocese of Natal is engaged with a major project INKWAZI ISU)  to address this issue. Multiple partners including the church groups can engage in these clean-ups and Parishes and Archdeaconries can get directly involved and at the same time collaborate with other organisations.  through this initiative a youth group or guild can collaborate and build interventions which make up part of the bigger initiative to address plastic waste. It is our hope that each parish will make ongoing efforts to address environmental issues and impacts and develop policies and procedure and projects at parish level to care for the earth. through clean-ups, recycling and raising awareness.  The option to engage with recycling projects as upliftment projects has potential and efforts are being made to create these opportunities to overcome the economic challenges to recycling. The Creation Care Network is engaging in a Major intervention for KZN (Inkwaz Isu) to address Plastic waste and recycling through a major project aimed at valorising waste and building  a circular economy. This will also provide the infrastructure and means to develop meaningful interventions at Parish level. We thank every individual who participated and worked so hard to raise awareness and make a difference in our #MyRiverMysea2021 event.  Our prayer is that we will take this forward and continue to find ways to make a positive impact in the earth. The Creation Care Facebook Page can be used to post events, ask questions, initiate dialogue and share ideas. The Lord is Sovereign over all the earth and we his people are created to take responsibility to care for that which God has created. To the Glory of God Amen.  Rev Andrew Manning          

Green Anglicans Inhambane had a wonderful closing event for  World habitat day and closing of Season of Creation on 9th October at Mongue Beach (City of Maxixe). They started with a Eucharist, then had a talk about “animals and their habitat’ (Brother Nilton, Forest and Fauna ) Then they viewed recycled items made by members of Green Anglicans Inhambane. This was followed by the planting of 9 cashew trees The day ended with volleyball and fun on the beach 38 young people joined the event Rev Aurelio Uqueio Photos; Green Anglicans Inhambane

The Diocese of Libombos, Mozambique launched an environmental project  – building of ecological houses using PET plastic bottles. The launch took place in Pungue, Gondola Municipality. The ceremony was directed by the president of the Gondola municipal council and Bishop  Carlos Matsinhe the Venerable Narciso Langa. They witnessed the event, the representatives of Tearfund (project funder), the province directions of Manica’s public works and environment, and community members and local leaders. Everyone was asked to bring the plastic bottles they have in order to build houses , we will appreciate it – for the people and for the environment! Photos Anglican Church of Pungue

At a wonderful Conference held in Lusaka, Zambia, the Green Anglicans Movement of Africa (AENA) was officially launched! The Conference was held in a hybrid format due to Covid, with Bishops and young people representing the provinces of  Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Southern Africa, Congo, West Africa, Uganda Central Africa, and IAMA , with local  hubs being held in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and South Africa The first day we learned of the Theological Challenge of Climate Change and Environmental degradation from the Archbishop of Kenya, Jackson Ole  Sapit, and Archbishop Chama of Central Africa. We also heard of the scientific challenges from Professor Coleen Vogel of Wits University.  Professor (PLO) Lumumba of Kenya put before us the challenge of Climate Injustice The second day we heard about what Anglican Provinces are already doing, with case studies from Malawi (waste management), Combatting deforestation (Kenya) and Advocacy (Southern Africa) We heard from each Province what actions they are taking and what an inspiration it was! Day three we heard about the global conference with input from the Anglican Communion, and partner organisations as well as an address by Archbishop Thabo (Southern Africa) Archbishop Julio Murray – chair of the Anglican Communion Environmental Network officially inaugurated the network with a wonderful message and blessing from across the globe in Panama! The Conference was organized by CAPA (Council of Anglican Provinces in Africa and the Anglican Communion Environmental Network) and we are so very appreciative of the support of the Anglican Communion, Tearfund, and Christian Aid for financial support. #greenanglicans You can follow us on our facebook page

.  The Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, the three bishops of Mozambique, the Bishop of Namibia  were joined by 20 South African bishops to call for the halt to gas and oil exploration in Africa. Meeting at Provincial Synod the following resolution was passed by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa: This Synod  Recognises the negative impacts of fossil fuel exploration in the Dioceses of Namibia and Nampula; Recognises the increasing impacts of climate change across the Continent of Africa, caused by the burning of fossil fuels; Commits to standing in solidarity with the rest of Africa to call for a halt to gas and oil exploration in Africa; Resolves to:   Invite all ACSA Bishops to sign the letter below to the African Union, European Union and Governments of the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States of America, France and China   Invite the All-Africa Conference of Churches and the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa to circulate this letter for signature throughout Africa.     RE:    AFRICAN BISHOPS CALL FOR A HALT TO GAS AND OIL EXPLORATION IN AFRICA Africa, our home, is a continent of spectacular beauty and abundance. It still has remnants of its unique and priceless wildlife in areas of great variety, biodiversity, and wonder. The land has deep rooted cultural and traditional significance and 80% of the Continent’s people depend on small scale farmers for their food.   A new era of economic colonialism by fossil fuel companies is well underway. This is supported by self-serving governments. They are enticed by the promise of job creation and finance for ‘development’ while ignoring the harsh reality of the climate crisis, the ravages of which are being felt across the Continent. Biodiversity loss, exacerbated by catastrophic climate change will have dire consequences for all life on this planet and Africa will be severely affected. Africa’s natural habitats are being destroyed at an alarming rate through the extraction of oil and gas, with many new projects in the pipeline. Known in Nigeria as the curse of “black gold”, fossil fuel extraction is polluting the water and the land. Oil companies are abusing the rights of indigenous and rural people and forcing them off their land. Oil and gas exploration and exploitation are leading to political destabilisation and increased violence. The choices we make now will determine the future of Africa. We face species extinction, widespread disease, life-threatening temperature extremes, droughts, ecosystem collapse, and rising sea levels, floods, storms, and wildfires, unless there is transformational change by individuals, communities, businesses, institutions, and governments. Africa is a continent richly blessed with sun and wind. Investment in renewable energy, now the cheapest form of energy worldwide, will create far more jobs and long-term savings. Renewable energy will be generated without the health-damaging pollutants of fossil fuels or global warming that will push the world past a catastrophic 1.5°C increase in temperature. The declining worldwide demand for fossil fuels will also leave Africa with a legacy of stranded assets. Yet rather than halting fossil fuel extraction, many governments are actively encouraging exploration for oil and gas reserves by foreign companies. This, despite each country’s commitment to the Paris Agreement and their promise to formulate  nationally determined contributions (NDC) of climate changing emissions. Across the continent, foreign companies, supported by African governments, are putting profit before planet: ReconAfrica, a Canadian oil and gas company, is drilling for oil and gas in the Kavango Basin in north-east Namibia. The company’s 25-year production licence covers over 34,000 square kilometres. Major oil extraction threatens scarce water supplies and is likely to cause widespread ecological destruction to the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It would also disrupt traditional livelihoods and displace indigenous communities. The Virunga National Park in the DRC is a ‘protected’ UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a wealth of biodiversity but is threatened with oil exploration. UNESCO has appealed to the DRC government to cancel all oil exploration permits and focus rather on longer term sustainable development opportunities. The plan to build a heated pipeline that will carry crude oil from western Uganda through Tanzania to the Indian Ocean, the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP), will damage fragile ecosystems and displace families from their land. The Ugandan and Tanzanian Governments, the French oil company Total, and the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) have partnered in this agreement. Multiple foreign corporations (including Total) have invested in the offshore gas reserves of northern Mozambique. In spite of promises, the vast development has not benefitted local communities. People are losing their ancestral land and culture. Many young men have joined the Al-Shabab insurgency group making brutal attacks. Nearly 900,000 people have been internally displaced due to the violence. The Quirimbas National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, will also be exposed to the impacts of dredging, waste disposal and construction. As people of faith, we believe we have been given responsibility to care for, protect and preserve Africa’s magnificent creation.   Therefore, we call: The immediate cessation of fossil fuel exploration across Africa. The application of effective climate justice so that countries of Africa, disproportionately affected by climate change, may be enabled to leapfrog the polluting fossil fuel era into the clean renewable energy era. An end to bribery and corruption by foreign businesses and multi-national companies to secure contracts from political leaders, with disastrous consequences for local communities. A decisive and determined shift by governments to embrace a transition to a renewable energy future with its enormous job creation potential so that people and planet may breathe and thrive. The recognition of Ecocide as a crime in national and international law. Ecocide is causing irreparable damage and destruction to ecosystems and harming the health and wellbeing of species, including humans.   Signatories The Archbishop of Cape Town, The Most Revd T C Makgoba Bishops of Mozambique: — The Bishop of Lebombo  , the Rt Rev C  Matsinhe –  The Bishop of Nampula , the Rt Rev E Manuel –  The