{"id":390,"date":"2014-11-20T15:51:22","date_gmt":"2014-11-20T15:51:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/oc.citizensforeurope.org\/ojs\/infostelle-klimagerechtigkeit\/"},"modified":"2015-07-07T13:52:29","modified_gmt":"2015-07-07T13:52:29","slug":"infostelle-klimagerechtigkeit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/oc.citizensforeurope.org\/ojs\/infostelle-klimagerechtigkeit\/","title":{"rendered":"Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/span> Movement Profile<\/p>\n

The German Bishops Conference, in its expert report \u201cOn the Challenge of Global Climate Change\u201d, wrote that \u201cglobal climate change probably represents the greatest existential threat for the present and, to a much greater extent, coming generations. We must actively address this challenge. As those to whom God entrusted creation as a loan, we humans bear responsibility for its well-being.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Platform for Climate and Development promoted by churches, mission agencies and development services defines two dimensions of injustice concerning climate change: Climate change exacerbates poverty and threatens life; it also destroys natural resources, undermines opportunities for development and reinforces injustice. People living in poverty \u2013 especially in the countries of the Global South \u2013 bear the brunt of climate change, the over-consumption of energy in industrialised countries and of the global consumer classes. In addition, misdirected climate protection strategies, such as the use of agro-fuel to cover high energy consumption, threaten food security for many people in the Global South.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

People living in poverty \u2013 especially in the countries of the Global South \u2013 bear the brunt of climate change, the over-consumption of energy in industrialised countries and of the global consumer classes.<\/p><\/div>\n

But how do we achieve justice in the context of climate change? How do we achieve fair development chances for all human beings in this and future generations? These are the questions the Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit has tried to address since its formation in 2005. Like the Council of the Evangelical Church in Germany wrote in a recent memorandum, \u201cwe are convinced that a radical change of mentality in policy, economy and society is necessary. Such a shift to a truly sustainable, nature-friendly economy and way of life requires a reversion, in Biblical language, metanoia, which is to say, a radical change of mind.\u201d\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Climate protection begins with us<\/strong><\/p>\n

In our opinion this radical change of mind has to start in the world\u2019s industrialised countries. At this point, change is required not only by individuals but also in the Church as an institution.<\/p>\n

The Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit intends to make people aware of the foreseeable global ecological and social consequences of climate change. We want to make people aware that global climate change is a problem of global justice, so that they give it a higher priority on their personal agendas. We want to inspire and motivate people to think about their way of life and how this contributes to climate change. In addition, we want to motivate them to get involved and take part in political debates and protest concerning climate protection and climate justice.<\/p>\n

As the ecumenical Platform for Climate and Development says, \u201cClimate change challenges us. We must take a critical look at values and models which shaped our personal life, our economy, politics and society up to now.\u201d<\/p>\n

About Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit (Information Center for Climate Justice) is an institution of the Centre for Global Ministries and Ecumenical Relations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Northern Germany. Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit performs two key activities:<\/p>\n

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  1. Education on the topic of climate justice<\/li>\n
  2. Development of carbon offset projects and participation in the Klima-Kollekte, a CO2<\/sub> compensation fund organised by Christian churches in Germany<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Centre for Global Ministries and Ecumenical Relations is also a member and co-founder of the German \u201cClimate Alliance\u201d, which is a broad coalition of churches, trade unions, environmental and development organisations for climate protection in Germany. In addition, we are a co-founder of \u201cClimate of Justice\u201d, a platform for climate and development promoted by churches, mission agencies and development services.<\/p>\n

    Education leads to action<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Young people form the target group of our educational work on climate justice. The call for climate justice includes questions of justice between South and North, justice in the context of our creation and justice in the context of future generations, as the consequences of climate change are an existential threat to coming generations.<\/p>\n

    Through interactive methods like games, short films, quizzes and statements by witnesses to climate change, we want to motivate young people to advocate for climate justice and question the values which have shaped their lifestyles and our economy, policy and society up to now.<\/p>\n

    The Infostelle Klimagerechtigkeit offers:<\/p>\n