UnitingWorld’s prayers for Kiribati, Tuvalu and the Pacific

In the December E-News UnitingWorld featured this prayer for the Pacific:

This week saw the commencement of the UN Copenhagen Conference on climate change, during which members of the UN Framework Convention in Climate Change (UNFCCC) will negotiate reductions in carbon emissions. While breakthroughs have occurred with renewed commitments from China, the US and India, binding commitments must eventuate from this conference in order to protect those most at risk of climate change and rising sea levels.

The highest point in Kiribati is just three metres above sea level, and the highest point on Tuvalu is less that five. Kiribati and Tuvalu are amongst the smallest countries in the world. They have contributed the smallest amount to carbon emissions, but will be the first to feel the effects of rising sea levels. While this puts everyone at risk, the first to feel this will be our partners throughout the Pacific.

Climate change is already impacting people living in poverty around the world, and threatens to undo progress on the Millennium Development Goals. Developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change because they are more dependent on their natural resources and have a lower capacity to cope with environmental hazards. Poor communities around the world are already experiencing a range of impacts, including more severe droughts, rising sea levels, and more severe storms. Climate change cuts across all development issues and it is an absolute priority.

We urge you to write to your local parliamentary members in support of action against climate change. We also call for prayer for our partners, Tuvalu Christian Church, Kiribati Protestant Church, and our partner churches in the Pacific.

Click here to learn more about UnitingWorld and their partner churches: http://www.unitingworld.org.au