Operation Noah wants to make voices heard at climate summit

Daily film videos from the UN climate summit starting on Copenhagen next week are part of a December plan of action by Operation Noah to make sure that the voice of faith is heard at this “make or break” time in history.

The ecumenical community which campaigns exclusively on climate change, is working with a US web-based organisation, Odyssey Networks, to bring you the voices of religious wisdom as monks, nuns, rabbis and holy men and women converge on the Danish capital.

“It’s quite an ambition,” said ON’s Mark Dowd, who will be fronting many of the reports.

“We’re following everyone from the Archbishop of Canterbury, to youngsters from the Christian-Muslim forum, Benedictine and Franciscan nuns, Hindu gurus, Buddhist monks and American evangelicals.”

Using the full range of new media potential, there are plans for daily video diaries, blogs and film reports which will feature large religious gatherings planned for the weekend of December 12 and 13.

“I am sure that much of Copenhagen will de dominated by the politicians and policymakers with endless talks of carbon trading, cap and trade and mitigation measures,” said Dowd.

“That’s all well and good, but we need to stand back and give the faith voice a platform. Creation is a gift and unless we include some sense of the sacred in our reflections, we are not going to get back on course to living in greater balance and harmony with the natural world.”

Many of those travelling are making an unprecedented journey out of their home country for the first time in their lives.

A taster film is available from today at www.odysseynetworks.org and the daily reports will run from December 7 to 14 with an end of summit wrap-up on December 18.

Operation Noah also launches a new website this Friday. The re-vamped model will contain regular video blogs, links to films, slide show templates and many tools and inspirations for use in schools, churches and your local community. It will feature many of the recent speeches and writings from ON’s Director, Ann Pettifor, and also from Dowd.

“The new website is looking fabulous!” said ON's Ann Pettifor. "We have spent weeks designing it and our purpose is to make our materials as user friendly as possible. People of faith will find much inspiration I am sure. It is extremely well laid out and easy to navigate your way around.”



The videos will be made available on the new ON website at www.operationnoah.org