Reliance on fossil fuels poses an “existential” danger, Bishop of Salford John Arnold told an interfaith panel for London Climate Action Week.
The panel was organised by Cafod, Christian Aid, Islamic Relief and EcoJudaism on 25 June, with speakers including climate minister Katie White MP, Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, director of Cafod Christine Allen, and director of Islamic Relief Zia Salik.
Bishop Arnold, who is lead bishop for the environment for the Catholic bishops’ conference of England and Wales, said “the security and dignity of our brothers and sisters around the world and of future generations” are at stake “if we persist in pursuing short-term policies and industry driven by short-term profits”.
He said “whole economies” must be “re-shaped” through “real and urgent change” in industry and politics: “The transference to renewable energy, wind and solar power, is essential, as is looking after the workers who are presently engaged in fossil fuel industry.”
Bishop Arnold urged politicians to take a “determined long-term view” and to build a cross-party consensus to “get beyond electoral cycles”.
“Those who have caused this problem through our own industrialisation have a particular responsibility in developing a sustainable future and in assisting other nations, mainly in the Global South, to mend the loss and damage which has been inflicted upon them,” he added.
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