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Environment Minister Hilary Benn highlights need for action against climate change at CAFOD campaign launch
Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, urged everyone to play their part in the fight against climate change at our Climate Justice campaign launch in Leeds.
The event, which culminated in a mass at Leeds Cathedral, was attended by supporters and campaigners, and aimed to highlight the need for a just and equitable deal at this year’s UN climate change talks in Copenhagen.
In the end it’s about what we do. Faith and belief inspire people but it’s about turning that into practical action
Hilary Benn said: "Well done to CAFOD for all the work you do in fighting for justice and equality and overcoming poverty in the developing world.
"And for bringing together that great challenge and the other great challenge we face which is preventing dangerous climate change.
"We know it is the poorest people in the poorest countries who are already feeling the consequences of a changing climate and …it is really important to give people a sense that we can overcome these two great challenges.
"As a faith-based organisation, CAFOD represents a lot of people and we need everyone to be involved. It is everyone’s responsibility and so the more that join in, the more we raise awareness.
"In the end it’s about what we do. Faith and belief inspire people but it’s about turning that into practical action.
"The campaign that you are running along with others gives encouragement to politicians in many countries to send them to Copenhagen and say ‘you know what you need to do’."
Mr Benn also talked about the "sobering" new climate change science that had been reported last week and highlighted the urgency of the threat of climate change and the need for action.
He added: "Three and a half weeks ago I was in Antarctica hearing about how that continent, which we think of as being remote from human activity, is being affected by climate change. Every country understands the urgency, every single one.
"Everyone must play their part and that means the negotiations [in Copenhagen] will be very complicated and unbelievably important."
Working with a coalition of Catholic agencies, our new campaign brings UK Catholics together with more than 1.3bn Catholics from all over the world.
As well as Hilary Benn, who is MP for Leeds Central, John Battle MP for Leeds West, and Greg Mulholland MP for Leeds Northwest attended the Climate Justice campaign launch.
CAFOD director Chris Bain and Cambodian partners Lay Sophea and Khim Sarin also spoke at the launch event.
Climate expert Lay Sophea works with us on forestry and indigenous rights projects in Cambodia, and has witnessed the impact recent changes in climate have been having on poor communities.
Lay Sophea said: "Homes are being flooded, droughts are harsher and longer, crops are failing and people are struggling to feed their families. Poor people are seeing their livelihoods threatened.
"People are suffering and, unless we take direct action now, we are facing a devastating future."
CAFOD and its supporters are calling on the UK government to take the lead amongst EU countries in this crucial year leading up to Copenhagen, the outcomes of which could determine the fate of millions of people around the world.
Media: For more information, pictures, case studies & interviews: Pascale Palmer, ppalmer@cafod.org.uk +44 20 7095 5459, +44 7785 950 585
We want a global climate change deal that puts the world’s poorest people at its heart by:
