Pray, advocate, learn, reflect: 4 events announced for climate month
Media Advisory: Decolonizing climate action to underscore KAIROS Climate Action Month this September
(Toronto – Treaty 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit) – Four online events designed to help people pray, advocate, learn and reflect, particularly on the theme of decolonizing climate action, will be featured during KAIROS Climate Action Month in September.
KAIROS’ Climate Action Month kicks off by amplifying the World Council of Churches’ Season of Creation, which runs from September 1 (World Day of Prayer for Creation) to October 4 (St. Francis of Assisi Day). The theme of this year’s Season of Creation is Listen to the Voice of Creation, in recognition of the voices that are muted or silenced in their attempts to communicate the climate crisis.
WHAT: Season of Creation Opening: a time of Christian worship
Kicking off KAIROS Climate Action month, this brief worship service focuses on prayer for climate justice and the care of creation, and marks World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This worship will be announced in English, with prayers in multiple languages.
WHEN: Thursday, September 1; 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. EST.
WHERE: Online. Register here.
WHAT: Canadian Ecological Justice Bills Letter Writing
KAIROS offers two opportunities on September 8 to join advocates across the country for an online letter-writing session in support of three bills in support of ecological justice. The three bills will be explained in greater detail, sample letters will be provided, and KAIROS staff will offer letter writing tips and answer questions as participants write together, online.
Bill C-226 is intended to enact a national strategy to address environmental racism and promote environmental justice. Bill C-262 and Bill C-263 mandate increased corporate accountability in resource extraction. The former calls for mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence, while the latter calls for an empowered Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise.
WHEN: Thursday, September 8; two sessions: noon to 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. EST. Please register for the time that works best for you.
WHERE: Online. Noon: Register here / 8:00 p.m: Register here.
WHAT: Meet the COP27 Delegation
Meet the KAIROS/For the Love of Creation delegation to COP27. Delegates include KAIROS Women, Peace and Security global partners, Indigenous partners from Turtle Island, and youth from Canada. Through a short video, each delegate will introduce themselves, explain how they experience and work against climate change, and call on participants for support, as allies, to address the injustices they or their communities face. Small group discussions will provide opportunities to deepen our learning and commitment.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 13; 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
WHERE: Online. Register here.
WHO: KAIROS/For the Love of Creation COP27 delegation.
WHAT: Taking it to the next level: Decolonizing Climate Action
This final event of KAIROS Climate Action Month 2022 builds on the month’s learnings, specifically regarding the theme of decolonizing climate action, and asks participants to consider how to apply what they learned to their own lives and to climate action. Guest speakers will challenge participants with presentations on the importance of decolonizing while inspiring action. The event includes small group discussions. Speakers are being finalized.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 27; 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
WHERE: Online. Register here.
Throughout September, KAIROS will explore weekly themes through online content and actions that will include a Canada focus (fossil fuels and environmental racism), global grassroots women’s organizations, and Indigenous rights.
For more information and to access the KAIROS Climate Action Month resources, please visit: Climate Action Month. For timely Climate Action Month news throughout September, participants can subscribe to receive weekly email updates by choosing Ecological Justice as an area of interest.
About KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives:
KAIROS is a social justice organization that includes ten Canadian churches and religious organizations. We are Indigenous, settlers and newcomers in Canada working with people of faith or conscience all over the world for ecological justice and human rights. We deliberate on issues of common concern, advocate for social change and join with people of faith and goodwill in action for social transformation. Learn more: KAIROS Canada website.
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Media Contacts:
Cheryl McNamara, Media Coordinator, KAIROS Canada, cmcnamara [at] kairoscanada [dot] org
