Operation Noah in Oxford

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#999933" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="040006e0ddwnfv.png"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>Sage - Oxford's Christian Environmental Group</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sage Oxfords Christian Environmental Gr"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Operation Noah conference in Oxford 11th February 2006</B></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=190 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" background="041bec00esnpes.png"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="5918e8c0.png" border=0 width="142" height="140" ALT="Operation Noah" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> <A HREF="noah_m.htm#introduction" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Operation Noah in Oxford"><U><B>INTRODUCTION</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="noah_m.htm#programme" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Operation Noah in Oxford"><U><B>PROGRAMME</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="noah_m.htm#speakers" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Operation Noah in Oxford"><U><B>SPEAKERS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="noah_m.htm#workshops" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Operation Noah in Oxford"><U><B>WORKSHOPS</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="noah_m.htm#comments" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Operation Noah in Oxford"><U><B>COMMENTS</B></U></A></div> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> Operation Noah in Oxford</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="593d5650.png" border=0 width="725" height="101" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> <B>Saturday 11</B><B>th</B><B> February 2006</B></div> <div> Wesley Memorial Methodist Church, New Inn Hall Street, Oxford, OX1 2DH</div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="67b58c20.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="450" ALT="Photo Collage from Operation Noah in Oxford" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="10" VSPACE="20"></B></div> <div> <B> <A NAME="introduction"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>INTRODUCTION</B></div> <div> After yet another huge effort, entirely staffed by volunteers, the Operation Noah in Oxford conference was a major success. We will keep this page as a permanent report, and to help others who might be thinking about undertaking similar exercises in the future. We hope that our conference helped the 150 attendees, mostly Christians, to face up to climate change and find out what they could do about it. We aimed at getting:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Challenging speakers </div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Practical steps to take</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Workshops where you can really get involved</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Something for everyone - the `already green' and those who would like to be greener.</div> <div> <B>Operation Noah </B>is the churches' climate change campaign!  A project of the Environmental Issues Network of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. This conference is being organised by an ecumenical group of Christians in Oxford. `Operation Noah' is promoted by Christian Ecology Link (CEL). CEL is a multi-denominational UK Christian organisation for people concerned about the Environment. See: <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah"><U><U>http://www.christian-ecology.org.uk/noah/</U></U></A></FONT> </div> <div> Taking part in Operation Noah involves three simple steps:</div> <div> 1. Cutting greenhouse gas emissions by switching to renewable electricity. </div> <div> 2. Spreading the word: Encouraging other individual members of the congregation and local community to do likewise in their own homes. </div> <div> 3. Signing a `climate covenant', as follows:</div> <div> “World leaders must act to avert dangerous climate change, and give everyone fair access to energy in a sustainable world economy. We ask the UK to lead negotiations. We will take action personally to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="programme"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>PROGRAMME</B></div> <div> The programme was as follows:</div> <div> 9.30 am: Registration- to be seated by 10.00 am, talks start 10.00 am sharp.</div> <div> 10.00-10.15- Welcome and Introduction. </div> <div> 10.15-10.45: Ian James- "The Science of Climate Change."</div> <div> 10.45-11.15: Paula Clifford- "Good news for the poor? Poverty and Climate Change."</div> <div> 11.15-11.30: Break and move to workshops.</div> <div> 11.30-12.30: Morning workshops. </div> <div> 12.30-1.45: Lunch.  </div> <div> 1.45-2.15:  George Marshall- "Belief, doubt, and denial: why is it so hard for us to accept the truth of Climate Change?"</div> <div> 2.15-2.30: Break and move to workshops.</div> <div> 2.30-3.30: Afternoon workshops.</div> <div> 3.30-3.45: Break and move to Worship.</div> <div> 3.45-4.15: Final Worship, Commitments/Pledges, and Prayers.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="speakers"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>SPEAKERS</B></div> <div> The three keynote speakers for the event were:</div> <div> <B>Rev. Prof. Ian James </B>is Professor of Geophysical Fluid Dynamics and Head of Mathematics, Meteorology and Physics at the University of Reading. After taking a BSc in Physics and a PhD in Astrophysics, Ian worked in the Met office before moving to Reading University in 1979. He is ordained priest in the Church of England and is Environment Adviser to the Bishop of Oxford. </div> <div> <B>Dr. Paula Clifford</B><B> </B>has worked for Christian Aid for nearly eight years. Before that she taught linguistics at Reading University and at Magdalen and Somerville Colleges in Oxford. She is also a Lay Reader in the Oxford Diocese and has ministered in both evangelical and more traditional churches. She has written a number of books and articles, most recently a series of prayer reflections for the Church Times (February 06). As Head of Church Communications at Christian Aid, an important part of her work is to ensure that their work on alleviating poverty has an integral theological component. She published 'Theology and the HIV/AIDS epidemic' in October 2004 and this will be followed by a study of Asian theologians' perspective on HIV. As part of Christian Aid's work on climate change she is preparing material for the churches (both in the UK and overseas) illustrating the interrelationship of theology, the environment and poverty. </div> <div> <B>George Marshall </B>is Co Executive Director of the Climate Outreach Information Network, a charity that directly engages the public on the impacts and solutions to climate change. George has 14 years experience in research and environmental outreach for all levels of environmental work - from small groups to large international organisations such as WWF and Greenpeace - and as a policy consultant to the German and Papua New Guinean government. In the course of his work George has produced 20 short information videos and authored 15 major reports. See <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.coinet.org.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.coinet.org.uk"><U>www.coinet.org.uk</U></A></FONT> </div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="workshops"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>WORKSHOPS</B></FONT></div> <div> We decided to have spiritual/theological workshops in the morning, and more practical ones in the afternoon.</div> <div> <B>Morning Workshops</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >A) MARANDA St. JOHN NICOLLE and THALIA CARR (</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.ccow.org.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ccow.org.uk"><U>Christian Concern for One World</U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >)</FONT> Title: Living Green Biblically and Joyfully<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >. Explore the radical lifestyle challenges of the scripture in relation to climate change and find practical and joyful solutions.</FONT></div> <div> B) MARGOT HODSON (Chaplain, Jesus College) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Explore God's love for His Universe. </FONT>This workshop will begin with story telling, taking you through the Creation of the Universe, and the human impact on our earth. You will then be given an opportunity to explore your feelings for the world and your response to the human misuse of God's Creation.</div> <div> C) LAURIE MICHAELIS (Living Witness Project) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Sharing our Visions. </FONT>Climate change is widely seen as a threat to the consumer society, but could it be the trigger for positive change? We will explore our visions of a better way of life for individuals, communities and the Earth, through a guided visualisation. Laurie is a member of Oxford Friends' Meeting, and co-ordinator of the Living Witness Project, a network of Quaker meetings developing their witness to sustainable living.</div> <div> D) Sr NORA COUGHLAN SMG (Oxford University Catholic Chaplaincy) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Lessons from the Book of Creation: Learning to "Walk humbly, - gently on the earth - with our God." (Micah 6:8)</FONT> In this Ignatian-style Workshop we look at how we face up to what Dorothy Day calls the greatest challenge of our day: "How to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us." </div> <div> E) RODNEY & GILLIAN BURR, TONY PHELAN (Iona Community Members) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title : 'Holy Ground' - Experience an alternative style of worship with an environmental theme from the Iona Community.</FONT> We'll learn new 'Wild Goose' songs and share new Iona liturgy. Then we'll have the opportunity to explore and reflect on how we can make environmental issues more telling in our churches. </div> <bR> <div> <B>Afternoon Workshops</B></div> <div> F) CHRIS GOODALL (St Margaret's Church) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Calculate your own contribution to global warming. 'How much carbon dioxide are you personally responsible for each year? </FONT>This session allows you to calculate your own greenhouse gas emissions and compare the figure to national and international averages. It will also tell you the cheapest and most efficient ways of cutting your greenhouse gases. If possible, bring along your gas and electricity bills, or calculate beforehand how many units of electricity (kilowatt hours) and gas that you use. It would also be helpful - but not necessary - if you estimated the number of miles you drove in a car. (MOT certificates usually state the mileage when the test was done, which should help estimate your mileage). Chris is currently organizing a project to put solar photovoltaic panels on St Margaret's church roof. </div> <div> G) RICHARD SEXTON (Climate Outreach Information Network) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Climate change Post Kyoto - what's changed? what should Christians be saying?</FONT> International Agreements are critical to tackling climate change. Such agreements need to 'equitable' and 'just' as well as extremely 'effective.' This workshop aims to give clarity to what Christians should be saying in a Post Kyoto world. See <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.coinet.org.uk" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.coinet.org.uk"><U>www.coinet.org.uk</U></A> </FONT></div> <div> H) AVERIL STEDEFORD (St. Columba's, URC, Oxford), with CLAIRE TRUMAN (Architect, Alastair Binnie Architecture & Environment). <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Turning an ordinary house green. </FONT>Averil and Claire will describe how a 1958 semi-detached house is being made as eco-friendly as possible, with solar panels, PVs. a wind turbine, rainwater storage and specialised building techniques. This is not just good for the house; it is challenging others to consider what they might be able to do.</div> <div> I) LAURIE MICHAELIS (Living Witness Project) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Responding to Climate Change: First Steps on the Journey. </FONT>Responding to climate change may mean action in our own lives, our communities or the wider world. We will explore the priorities and sources of support for taking the first steps.</div> <div> J) JO RATHBONE (<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.ecocongregation.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ecocongregation.org/"><U><B>Ecocongregation</B></U></A></FONT>) <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" >Title: Introduction to Ecocongregation</FONT> Jo will present an introduction to this national ecumenical church-based scheme.When a church signs up, the process starts with an environmental audit. This identifies current good practice as well as actions that could be taken. The results of this are taken to the church decision-making body, who can then implement the action. This is followed by feedback, and the church is assessed for the Eco-Congregation award scheme. Areas covered by the scheme include worship (e.g. prayer, repentance, preaching, church calendar), property (e.g. energy use in buildings, management of churchyards), money (how it is invested), communication and working with the local community, (PS- Ss Mary and John, Cowley, Oxford were the first church in the Oxford area to gain the Ecocongregation Award on <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" >Wednesday 14th December 2005</FONT>).</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="comments"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>COMMENTS</B></div> <div> Here we will put some of the comments that come in concerning the conference:</div> <div> <I>And thank you, first and foremost, for all the effort you put into organising and publicising Saturday's conference. People in our church were buzzing about it Saturday night and Sunday morning, and Janet Warren came away with masses of material which is now going to be distributed to interested parishioners. Everyone I spoke with commented on the excellent plenary speakers, the wide range of workshops, the joys of the venue (y compris the providential Greek food sale) and how helpful they had found it generally. I can genuinely say that I haven't heard any negative comments. Congratulations!</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Good conference! Thank you.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Kaihsu Tai sent us his personal </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.pieandcoffee.org/2006/02/11/operation-noah/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.pieandcoffee.org/2006/02/11/o"><U><I>reflection</I></U></A></FONT><I>.</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Report by Ed Beale of </I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://portal.campaigncc.org/?q=node/867&PHPSESSID=0473f36320638e181476ad7917f8c248" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://portal.campaigncc.org/?q=node/867"><U><I>Operation Noah, 11th February 2006</I></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I>I thought it was an excellent day, with 3 thought provoking main speakers. </I></div> <div> <I>We covered things that we can do in our homes - a deeper dimension to this is perhaps our choice of where we live in relation to our work. Many of my colleagues choose to live in villages outside Swindon, where we work. This implies a car based lifestyle. </I></div> <div> <I>Can we put lifestyle change in the context of sharing the Good News about Jesus? </I></div> <div> <I>Some other themes that I want to follow up are: </I></div> <div> <I>* What exactly should we be asking out national government to do? On transport, building standards, planning of sustainable cities... </I></div> <div> <I>* Similarly, at a local level, what should we be asking our local governments to do? </I></div> <div> <I>* We were an older than average group! Why? How can we get our teenagers interested and active? </I></div> <div> <I>Thanks again, Edward Glennie</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="denial.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CLIMATE CHANGE, DENIAL and the ROLE of F"><U>CLIMATE CHANGE, DENIAL and the ROLE of FAITH</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > is a personal response by Averil Stedeford to the talk given by George Marshall at the</FONT> <A HREF="noah.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Operation Noah in Oxford"><U>Operation Noah in Oxford</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >conference.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >If you have a comment about the conference then </FONT><A HREF="contactus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Us"><U>Contact Us</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>Sage</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > was pleased to support this ecumenical initiative on Climate Change, and  provided web support, other publicity, and some expertise for the conference. Most of the photos were taken by Dr. Kaihsu Tai- thanks!</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>