Holy Trinity holds the Eco Church Silver Award. To learn more about A Rocha’s Eco Church, its focus on how we care for Creation in our worship and teaching; in how we look after our buildings and land; in how we engage with our local community and the wider world, and in the personal lifestyles of our congregation, go to: https://ecochurch.arocha.org.uk/
The Eco Team have put together a list of interesting webinars on environmental issues from various sources, including the Church of England and the Oxford Martin School (part of Oxford University) – see below. Some are on church issues and others are of more general interest.
Talks
Webinars
Getting ready for the Anthropocene: overcoming obstacles on the development path for municipal water and sanitation services
Monday 21st October, 5pm – 6.15pm
With Professor Dale Whittington, Visiting Fellow, Oxford Martin Systemic Resilience Initiative. Lecture Theatre, Oxford Martin School and online.
Cities go through three phases on their development path to deliver improved municipal water and sanitation services to their customers. However, as will be explained in this talk, even cities that are far along on this development path are rarely prepared for what is coming in the Anthropocene.
There are 3 options for attending/ watching this talk.
1. To register to attend in-person in Oxford: https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/events/getting-ready-for-the-anthropocene
2. To register to join live online on Crowdcast:
https://www.crowdcast.io/c/universal-history-of-us
3. To watch later: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huVZpbGwUcQ
Panel discussion: Operationalising climate policy for global net zero emissions
Wednesday 23 October, 12.30 – 1.30 pm
89% of the world’s population live in a country with a national net zero target but these targets need to be implemented effectively in policy and regulation if the goals of the Paris Agreement are to be achieved. Too often, this is still not happening.
One important gap in climate policy is that it often focuses on domestic emission reductions but does not prevent states from contributing substantially to emissions outside of their borders, for instance by remaining a major fossil fuel exporter. This discussion will examine he consequences of climate policies that fail to look beyond national borders, and discuss best practice from around the world for curbing emissions at home as well as abroad.
Professor Wetzer will introduce the work of the recently established Oxford Martin Programme on Net Zero Regulation and Policy, and explain what the Programme aims to achieve.
1. To register to attend in-person in Oxford: https://www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/events/operationalising-climate-policy
2. To register to join live online on Crowdcast: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/operationalising-climate-policy
3. To watch later: https://youtube.com/live/-4Uhsn2cZls
Biodiversity loss and climate change – why should we care? A conversation with Dr Rodel Lasco
Mon 11 Nov 2024 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM GMT
Our planetary life support systems are starting to fray under the weight of human activities. Rodel Lasco is the author of several reports by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), and as part of the IPCC, a co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize. Come and hear his appraisal of the current state of biodiversity globally, how we can respond with hopeful action, and the exciting plans for A Rocha’s growing presence in South East Asia.
Following Rodel’s presentation you will have the opportunity to engage in an open time of Q&A. We look forward to seeing you there!
More information and tickets
Past webinars which are available to watch again
For links to the range of C of E Net Zero Carbon webinars, and environmental fundraising go to: https://www.churchofengland.org/about/environment-and-climate-change/webinars-getting-net-zero-carbon#na
Oxford Diocese Eco Hub
This describes itself as ’a one-stop shop for information, practical advice and theological reflection on how we can best care for God’s creation.’ It brings together resources from various organisations and groups, enabling us to find information to become agents of change.
Parish Buying Scheme
For clean electricity, and much more besides at competitive prices (including LED lighting, photocopiers, phones and broadband, insurance, office products, church supplies, furniture, fire safety, audio visual, and even Covid-19 supplies).
Communicating climate change – messages, messengers, and mechanisms
This is a joint event with INET Oxford and the Climate Econometrics project at Nuffield College
Karen Florini, Senior Advisor, Climate Central
Despite the increasing frequency and severity of extreme-weather events and associated impacts, their connection to climate change is only occasionally articulated.
Karen Florini explores how climate change discussions – whether in the media, in public discourse, or in private communication – can be more effective. She also describes free science-backed resources that provide locality-specific information to climate communicators in and beyond the media.
Go To: https://www.youtube.com/live/rJy5mtLm2K4
Panel discussion: Post-COP28 Debrief: Does the agreement go far enough?
This talk is in conjunction with Oxford Net Zero and Oxford Climate Research Network.
COP28 closed with an agreement that, for the first time in three decades, includes oil and gas. But what does the agreement mean in real terms? And is keeping the global temperature limit of 1.5°C within reach? A panel of academics shares their thoughts after attending COP28 and looks forward to what it means for COP29 and the world over the coming years.
Panel:
· Professor Myles Allen, Director, Oxford Net Zero
·Dr Abrar Chaudhury, Senior Associate, Oxford Net Zero
· Professor Benito Müller, Convener International Climate Policy Research, Environmental Change Institute (Chair)
·Dr Nicola Ranger, Director, Oxford Martin Programme on Systemic Resilience
To watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0PeN8fmhwoM
Not the end of the world: how we can be the first generation to build a sustainable planet
Joint event with the Oxford Martin Programme on the Future of Food
Professor Sir Charles Godfray & Dr Hannah Ritchie
We are bombarded by doomsday headlines that tell us the soil won’t be able to support crops, fish will vanish from our oceans, that we should reconsider having children. But in this talk, data scientist Hannah Ritchie, author of Not the End of the World: How We Can Be the First Generation to Build a Sustainable Planet will discuss with Professor Sir Charles Godfray, Director of the Oxford Martin School, that if we zoom out, a very different picture emerges. They will discuss how the data shows we have made so much progress on these problems, and so fast, that we could be on track to achieve true sustainability for the first time in history and we can build a better future for everyone.
To watch the recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTdT1uKx_VA
Church of England on Church Heating: Guidance and Case Studies
This includes: Heating principles, Perspectives and Approaches; Decarbonising and the Future of Heat; Heating Pitfalls; Options; Appraisals; Getting Advice; Costs and Funding.
https://www.churchofengland.org/resources/churchcare/advice-and-guidance-church-buildings/heating#na
If you missed previous Church of England webinars, you can find a huge range of recordings, sorted into a number of playlists. To skip the ads click the button which appears after a few seconds towards the bottom of the screen, on the right.
Environmental fundraising playlist
Net Zero Carbon Schools playlist
Creationtide: 1 September – 4 October
Nextdoor Nature Hub
https://nextdoornaturehub.org.uk
Help nature in your neighbourhood
BBOWT Community Toolkit
https://www.bbowtcommunitytoolkit.org/forum/resource
A very well curated collection of resources by the Bucks, Berks and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust: Species guides, habitat management, hedgerows, useful organisations, wildlife activities, documents for managing groups.
Caring for God’s Acre
https://www.caringforgodsacre.org.uk/
Information on exploring and caring for churchyards and burial grounds.
Oxfordshire County Council
Oxfordshire County Council fund to help households become more energy efficient: https://www.welcomethewarmth.org.uk/apply-now. Check eligibility. Applications close 24th October 2024
Generation One, University College London
Podcasts and videos: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/climate-change
“Together we are Generation One. Turning science and ideas into climate action that will help us create a positive, fair and progressive future. For us and for generations to come. The time is now”.
Activities and resources to celebrate the Season of Creation
https://seasonofcreation.org/
This is supported by an ecumenical steering committee and a coalition of partners from around the world.
Other online information
Oxford Diocese Eco Hub
This describes itself as ’a one-stop shop for information, practical advice and theological reflection on how we can best care for God’s creation.’ It brings together resources from various organisations and groups, enabling us to find information to become agents of change. See: https://www.oxford.anglican.org/xdb/ecohub
Creation Care Stories from Churches in our Diocese
Keep scrolling down and you’ll find mention of HTHQ.
https://www.oxford.anglican.org/news/stories-of-churches-schools-and-eco-champions-acting-for-creation.php
Parish Buying Scheme
For clean electricity, and much more besides at competitive prices (including LED lighting, photocopiers, phones and broadband, insurance, office products, church supplies, furniture, fire safety, and even audio visual), go to https://parishbuying.org.uk/
Can peatlands save the planet?
https://www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happening/news/peatlands?utm_source=notes_on_nature_20240622&utm_medium=email&utm_term=notes_on_nature&utm_content=21&utm_campaign=notes_on_nature
Sustainable Washing and Drying of Laundry
https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/cut-your-laundry-costs-by-144-this-year-an6GD2M0Hgnn?utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=4446587-SUS_EM__20240616&mi_u=218814701&mi_ecmp=SUS_EM__20240616