Operation Noah Challenges Government to Slash Carbon Emissions

Operation Noah, the Christian environmental campaign, is calling for an end to 'DIY Global Repairs' and the slashing of UK emissions to an average of 1.2 tonnes per person by 2030.

Operation Noah is also challenging Prime Minister Gordon Brown to "exercise bold leadership" and introduce a legislative framework that will "fairly and equitably" drive down the UK's per capita carbon dioxide emissions from the current average of 9.5 tonnes per person to a more sustainable 1.2 tonnes by 2030.

In a Ipsos Mori poll conducted last week, 70 per cent of respondents agreed that the Government should take the lead in combating climate change, even if it means using the law to change people's behaviour.

Ann Pettifor, campaigns director of Operation Noah said that the poll revealed the willingness of British people to adapt to climate change "but only within a framework of justice, in which sacrifice is equally shared".

"This cannot be done by a culture of 'voluntarism' or 'DIY global repairs', but requires a legislative framework for rationing and regulating carbon emissions," she said.

Responding to recent floods in north-east England, Pakistan and India, Pettifor said:
"The suffering of those living in the north of England, and those in Pakistan and India as floods devastate lives and livelihoods, are but more examples of extreme weather events exacerbated by global warming."

The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Rev James Jones, recently said that natural disasters like the June floods were not a judgement of God. He added, however, that man's actions still had to take the lion's share of the blame for global warming.

"God has created a world of cause and effect. If we change the climate through profligate use of carbon it is we who bring upon ourselves and others the consequences of reaping what we sow," he said.

Operation Noah came out in support of Bishop Jones's comments.

"Global warming is fuelled by our profligate use of fossil fuels and by a belief in endless economic growth and limitless consumption," said Pettifor.

"Ultimately global warming is fuelled by our worship of the god of money at the temples we have built to consumption - today's shopping malls. We are building up debts so that we may live beyond our means, and borrowing from the future so that we may indulge ourselves today.

"But things do not have to be this way," she said as she called on people to change their lifestyles in order to overcome the challenges presented by global warming. "We can cut the shopping chains that bind us, and we can avert the worst consequences of global warming."

Pettifor pointed to research by the new economics foundation New Economics which found that rather than making us happier, having more or aspiring to more makes us more miserable.

"Focused leadership, public education and a sense of common cause can help us transform attitudes, change behaviour, avert the crisis of climate change - and improve well-being," she said.

Pettifor affirmed that faith communities in particular could help change society's attitudes, values and lifestyles, and place pressure on politicians to transform the economy and society.

She concluded: "Operation Noah's supporters have come together in hope, to campaign for the happiness and well-being that comes from living, not as isolated consumers, but in community, the deep satisfaction that comes from living simpler, more harmonious lifestyles within the limits of our ecosystem - lifestyles that protect God's creation, increase happiness and community cohesion, and promote social justice."

The call from Operation Noah coincides with the launch of its new campaigning website which can be found at www.operationnoah.org.