Call by Anglican Communion Office to revitalize and safeguard the life-sustaining pulmonary systems of our planet

The Anglican Communion has launched an ambitious new initiative, "Lungs of the Earth," inviting Anglican churches worldwide to join the fight against the climate and nature crises. The initiative, which ties into the advocacy aims of an Anglican delegation attending this year's COP30 in Brazil, aims to restore and protect vital ecosystems: oceans, forests, and ice caps.

The Rt. Rev. Graham Usher, lead bishop for the environment in the Church of England, emphasizes that tackling these crises demonstrates Christian compassion and is simply "the right thing to do." He believes that this initiative is a step towards reconciliation with the earth.

The "lungs of the earth" are facing unprecedented threats. These irreplaceable systems, which sustain life by generating oxygen, storing carbon, and supporting biodiversity through oceans, coral reefs, and forests, demand urgent global attention. The Church of England, with its aim to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2030, is leading by example, already reducing energy bills and making churches fit for the future.

The initiative encourages Anglicans to become involved in reforestation initiatives like the Communion Forest, to cut emissions, reduce plastic usage, advocate and lobby governments for environmental justice, and support Anglican environmental networks worldwide. In Kenya, for instance, the Anglican Church is actively involved in protecting and restoring parts of the Karura urban forest in Nairobi, having adopted 3,000 hectares and aiming to plant 15 million trees in the coming years.

The ocean, particularly crucial to the Pacific identity and survival, is under threat from plastic pollution and destructive practices like deep-sea mining. The Anglican Church of Aotearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia is advocating for urgent ocean restoration, including a fossil-fuel-free Pacific, protection of at least 30% of the ocean, and a global ban on deep-sea mining.

Ice caps, which regulate global temperatures by reflecting sunlight and driving ocean currents, helping slow climate change, are also under severe risk due to mounting environmental damage. The Anglican Communion's permanent representative at the United Nations, Martha Jarvis, stated that more action is needed to address the scale of the environmental crisis, as the U.N.'s climate change negotiations have delivered change but not quickly enough.

The initiative will amplify environmental and advocacy work from Anglican provinces around the world and celebrate the work of Anglican environmental activists, including Green Anglicans and the Anglican Communion Environmental Network. The chosen city for COP30 will provide a unique platform to discuss climate solutions, firmly rooted in the heart of the Amazon, one of the lungs of the earth.

Biblical hope is not passive waiting, but faithful action - praying, reconciling with Creation and the Creator, and living in unity, repentance, and solidarity, according to Mash. The director of Green Anglicans calls for churches to help "restore peace" with creation, particularly by acting to restore ecosystems and advocating to protect those under threat for both present and future generations.

In many parts of the world, Anglican churches are responding to environmental crises on the front lines, such as the Church of Pakistan (United) providing relief during floods and the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles addressing wildfire impacts. The Communion Forest, a reforestation initiative, symbolizes a spiritual act of worship for Kenya Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, representing a step toward reconciliation with the earth.

The advocacy focus on oceans, forests, and ice caps has been developed with Anglican environmental advocates around the world, particularly Indigenous Anglicans, and will reflect the wisdom, traditions, and sustainable practices of Indigenous communities in caring for the planet. Isaiah 32:14-18 is the theme for this year's Season of Creation, describing a desolate world lacking peace due to broken justice and humanity's fractured relationship with God and Creation. Peace will only return when justice is restored, according to Mash.

This initiative is a testament to the Anglican Church's commitment to environmental stewardship and its belief that tackling climate and nature crises is not just a scientific or political issue, but a moral and spiritual one. It invites all Anglicans to take action, to restore peace with creation, and to play their part in ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Call by Anglican Communion Office to revitalize and safeguard the life-sustaining pulmonary systems of our planet