justice, peace & creation concerns
ecumenical earth
climate change / water / faith, science & technology / economic globalization & ecology

documents, resources, links : climate change water faith, science & technology economic globalization & ecology caring for life bibliography on creation concerns Encyclical of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew for the day of the protection of natural environment Statements by Bartholomew for WCC working groups on: - Water - Climate change - campaign against toxins - letter from WCC general secretary

Climate change Global warming is a reality, and the climate is changing with most devastating effects for biodiversity and peoples' livelihoods. The World Council of Churches has been working on climate change ever since 1990, when climate change was identified by the scientific community as one of the most threatening social and ecological issues of our times, affecting Creation as a whole. At the UN Rio Earth Summit in 1992, a WCC working group on climate change was formed with participation of representatives from each region. This group has been the facilitator of the WCC’s climate change programme ever since. Read more + Documents, resources, links on climate change Water The 2006 WCC Assembly in Porto Alegre, Brazil, agreed on a comprehensive statement on water entitled "Water for life". The UN Decade on Fresh Water (2005-2015) points to the fact that water is a vital ingredient for both the diversity of life on earth and for human well-being. Access to fresh water supplies is becoming an urgent matter of life and death across the planet. The world is on the verge of a serious water crisis in which the survival of many communities in various parts of the globe is at risk. Biodiversity is also threatened by the depletion and pollution of fresh water resources. Churches and ecumenical organizations have formed an Ecumenical Water Network in order to improve their cooperation. Read more + Documents, resources, links on water concerns Faith, science and technology What does it mean to be human and to be part of God’s creation? Responses that seemed to be clear and unshakeable for centuries are severely challenged by new scientific and technological developments. Genetic engineering, for instance, has added a new dimension to the capabilities of humankind to modify and change our development and that of other species. Genetic technologies touch our deepest convictions about the value of human life and human dignity. Often religious language is invoked in public: “We learn the language in which God created life” was a claim made when the mapping of the whole set of human genes began. Read more + Documents, resources, links on faith, science and technology Economic globalization and ecology Globalization has unfolded through various projects, such as colonialism and imperialism. Its contemporary economic and political form is corporate globalization, guided by the neo-liberal economic model and supported by modern technology, media and military presence. At the same time, globalization is not limited to the economic and political spheres, but has cultural, ecological, ethical, religious and even ecclesiological implications as well. In its effort to address the challenges of globalization, the JPC team focuses on economic justice, a vision of Earth as Home, and a life-centred ethics. Read more + Documents, resources, links on economic globalization

NEWS The WCC is cooperating with the WWF Russia to prepare the International NGO Forum Civil G8-2006 on July 3-4, 2006 in Russia with a focus on climate change. It is not the first time that the WCC Climate Change programme and WWF Russia work together. They jointly sponsored the publication of information material on the Kyoto Protocol when the decision to ratify it was due to be taken by the Russian parliament. Global coalition sounds alarm on synthetic biology, demands oversight and societal debate (press release and open letter 19.05.06) WCC general secretary demands action to stop terminator seeds (15.05.05 WCC press release) Citizen's water rights movements win victory over Nestlé, Minas Geraïs, Brasil, an account of a 5-year-long struggle (document in French only) NEW DOCUMENTS Climate change Water of Life - An invitation to participate in the Ecumenical Water Network Tranforming life - Volume II: Genetics, agriculture and human life Tranforming life - Volume I: Convergent technologies