But now Joakim is starting an experiment to have no impact at all – perhaps still at people but not on our planet. This lent season (starting 22 February) Joakim is fasting emissions. He wants to explore a lifestyle with hurting the planet and is trying to live without an ecological footprint.

During Lent, is going to live by three rules:

1. No travel that emits carbondioxide (CO2) like plane, car, train.
2. Consuming nothing that has been produced outside Sweden.
3. No plastic, no wrapping.

Obviously, Joakim wants to make a point with his project. He attempts to show the rest of us that a life with zero emissions is possible. And he wants us to join him in this attempt. Joakim had this idea as a participant of Youth for Eco-Justice at the end of last year.

You can follow Joakim’s journey on his blog in Swedish (http://40dagar-ingautslapp.blogspot.com) or on his facebook page on which he also posts in English. Obviously, there will be also updates on this blog.

Welcoming the new year, major church leaders made young people their primary topic. Pope Benedikt XVI., the head of the Roman Catholic Church, said in his new year address he was convinced that “that the young, with their enthusiasm and idealism, can offer new hope to the world.” He also called on those in power:

“Attentiveness to young people and their concerns, the ability to listen to them and appreciate them, is not merely something expedient; it represents a primary duty for society as a whole, for the sake of building a future of justice and peace.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, the head of the Anglican communion, also emphasized young people. He reflected on the horrible riots in London and other British cities in 2011. However, he did not just blame young people for them:

“We have to ask, what kind of society is it that lets down so many of its young people? That doesn’t provide enough good role models and drives youngsters further into unhappiness and anxiety by only showing them suspicion and negativity. When you see the gifts they can offer, the energy that can be released when they feel safe and loved, you see what a tragedy we so often allow to happen.”

Williams continued to remind the listeners that Christian faith has always stressed the contributions of young people:

“One of the unique things in the Christian faith, one of its great contributions to our moral vision, is the way it has spoken about children and young people. Whether it’s Jesus blessing children, or St Paul encouraging a young church leader, saying, ‘Don’t let people look down on you because you’re young’, or St Benedict in his rule for monks saying that you need to pay attention to the youngest as well as the oldest – Christian faith has underlined the essential importance of giving young people the respect they deserve.”

While I am not aware of current messages of Lutheran leaders emphasizing the importance of young people, these voices are very valuable also for the Lutheran communion.

But what does it mean for us? What are your plans for 2012 to make the world a better place? Please add your ideas in the comment section.

Change is good. That is the reason why positions in the LWF communion office are only given for a limited time. My fantastic time here in Geneva of advocating for stronger youth participation and working with all of you comes to end in the middle of 2012.

Therefore, I am glad that the General Secretary has already announced the vacancy and the search for a new youth secretary for the LWF has started. You can view the vacancy announcement here (pdf). The applications need to be received by 31 January 2012.

Therefore, please discern for yourself whether you might be the right person to apply, also think whether there are other you should forward this information. Are there great people that you have gotten to know who would be the right ones to do this work?

The work of our communion does not depend on single individuals. God sustains it and we are in this work together. However, it is important to think who should be given a role of coordination. Please help to find the right person by applying yourself and encouraging others to apply.

Greeting in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

To my grand child, this letter is for you but you can share it with friends and even the whole world if you want.

Every time when I write I have a reason why I should write but this time I don’t specifically have one.  Although I have no reason I strongly feel I should write I should share the feeling I have which if I fail to share you may one day blame my entire generation.

I am writing this letter while seated at the Glenmore Pastoral Centre media room IN Durban South Africa where about 28 Christian youths are meeting for an Eco-Justice Training organized by Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and World Council of Churches (WCC)

Grandchild, this train I am attending aims to educate us on avenues to use to spread the message that God’s creation needs better care from all of us. We are also looking at links between environment and socio-economic justice.  

My dear grand daughter this training is taking place few kilometers from the International Conference Centre (ICC) where a United Nations climate change meeting is being held. This is the 17th Conference of Parties (COP) to the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Representatives from 194 nations of the world are here trying to push for a legally binding deal on climate change. They meet to safeguard your future so that you can enjoy good air and clean un-polluted water and basically to ensure Justice Ecology that supports all lives.

To be honest with you, I had no idea of what climate justice was all about and had no concern about in the past. I thought climate discussions were issues for the hardnosed academia’s and well educated people who understand the jargons and fat English used like climate credits…

I have realized that climate discussions is no longer an issue that can only be discussed in air conditioned conference rooms, but at all societal levels. Everyone has a responsibility. You won’t necessarily need PHD or Doctorate level of education to fully understand the fact that climate is changing and cause suffering to millions and our human activities are polluting the earth.

It is in this regard that am passionately involved in educating as many people as possible to take individual responsibility in improving our environment. I believe my efforts will bear fruits not only for you but also for your entire generation.

Countries with highest pollution levels were expected to collectively agree on alternative to reduce carbon emission during the climate discussions. This grandchild, would help mitigate the impacts and reduce gas emissions unfortunately the countries are playing games and politics with your life, ignoring my love for you and wishes I dearly have for you. I will continue doing my best just like the humming bird to make a difference in my own little way.

It seems the talks here in Durban may not deliver a legally binding agreement on climate change as I wished. I hope you won’t blame me for doing nothing, I was part of the huge demonstration here during the Global Day of Action attended by thousands of people who wish your generation clean environment.

One important thing you should tell your generation is that youths from 21 countries considered climate justice important and stopped their busy schedules and school programs to cement a good future for you.

What am engaged on in putting pen to paper encourages pause to my thoughts and gives me time to think more deeply about life and regain our equilibrium.

The best gift you would give to your generation is to use renewable energy and safeguard the only earth we have.

(Langa Lulanga is a youth from Lutheran church in Malawi and participated at the Eco-Justice training jointly organized by World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation held in Durban, South Africa concurrently with the COP17 meeting)

Raquel Helene Kleber from Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB)

Age: 22

Function: International Affairs Student

Country of origin: Brazil

Church of origin: Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB)

What is really important for my life?

As an enthusiastic student of International Affairs, I enjoy to be constantly learning and interacting with people from diverse cultures. I am also passionate about Sustainable Development and Climate Change issues, which inspired me to write academic research around these themes. Within the Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil, I am involved in the coordination of the project Criatitude – Youth for the Care of Creation. It is a youth educational national project that encourages Lutheran Christians to use creative attitudes in the promotion of eco-justice, which counted with the joint work of the Regional Council of Youth Rio dos Sinos and the Lutheran Foundation of Diaconia – FLD. The main goals of the project are to raise awareness of responsible consumption, encourage youth leadership towards the care of creation and involve young Christians in the ecumenical participation of the Conference of the People in the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20.

My goal in life has always been to make a difference and promote positive impact in the society, and family and values are essential for my life and work.

What do I expect?

As for the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP17) I hope for a commitment to the next period of the Kyoto Protocol and to further emission reductions, for the Youth for Eco-Justice, I am learning about socio and environmental issues including those in the different countries.  During these days I have also being able to share the Brazilian concerns and projects regarding such issues, which also

As a concerned Brazilian, I am also enjoying this program, since Brazil is home to the largest part of the rainforest, the Amazon, and home to enormous biodiversity and natural water reserve, but also facing several socio and environmental problems. Regarding the climate change negotiations, I believe Brazil can play a key role in the Climate Change negotiations, not only as a developing nation, but also in the  leadership in GHG emission reductions.

Furthermore, Brazil hosts the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD), Rio+20, in June 2012, Rio de Janeiro, for which I hope to help bridge the connections from COP17. Although Rio+20 main focus will be on green economy and poverty eradication, arises there an opportunity for the incidence of ecumenical bodies worldwide towards a more just and responsible development – relating to Eco-Justice itself.

I intend to set up a solid network for the young people, which will be able to keep connected and engage in a continuous learning.

What do I intend to do for my church/country to achieve environmentally Justice?

One of the things that I intend to bring home from the outcome of this program is a concrete sustainable project on Eco-Justice targeting the youth. Such a project will be a continuation of the work that my church has worked on this year and also connected with the ongoing project Criatitude.

The church has a crucial role to play in society, providing an ethical perspective on climate change and promoting the environmental and social justice.  I do believe that sustainability and the care for Creation are at the centre of the word of God and I have faith that together we have the power to make our world a more just one.

I have for a very long time thought about what would be the best title for my first article once i create my own blog. Besides this I still wonder what would be the name of my blog. My care about a lot of issues like environmental sustainability, poverty, religion, sports, water, sanitation, green chemistry, sustainable development, creative writing, poetry, renewable energy, travel, music, and art are issues that interest and fascinate me. It is such personal concerns that urge me to voice my opinion when opportunity for same arises.

A strong belief and desire for change can be used to define me as an advocate longing for a better world. I long for a just and fair world to all, liberated from materialistic ideologies, one that respects nature and creation. A home for all that tackles with sincerity issues of climate change and environmental degradation. An ideal world for me would also have total harmony devoid of poverty. I wonder if such a world is possible! In my opinion yes, such a world is possible to realize and I invite you to join the movement of people from diverse ethnic and religious background both youthful and dreamers to such a world.

Njideka Omwunyi ready for task ahead as an advocate on climate change issues.

The fact that I know am not alone even strengthens more. Such thoughts would never have filled my mind without participating at the jointly organized eco-justice training by World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. It has been a privilege to be part of the civil societies’ activities currently taking place at the United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Conference of Parties (COP17) meeting in Durban, South Africa.

The sessions conducted daily at the eco-justice training have enlightened me in a great way. I have learnt about the Christian perspective to eco justice, which has set a solid foundation for my future advocacy plans. I now have deeper understanding of my responsibility as a Christian to become more active in my context. Sometimes back the world struggled to believe that man would one day walk on the moon. There may be many who will read my article and rubbish it as mere ‘dreams of impossibility’; What have experienced In Durban keeps my hopes alive and am determined to amplify my voice as an advocate for eco-justice.

Ms. Njideka Onwunyi, 26 is a participant at the Eco-Justice training and she is from the Roman Catholic Church in Logos, Nigeria

Women and girls are said to bear the brunt of climate change. This is partly because; in many countries they make up the majority of the agricultural workforce hardest hit in the environmental crisis. They often do not have control of their lives and access to as many opportunities to generate income as men. Women are more likely to be poor and to see their poverty increase. This poverty consequently renders women and girls more vulnerable to HIV, as they do not have the ability to negotiate for safe sex. Then there is issue for transactional sex which usually comprises unequal power dynamics usually between the girls and the men paying for sex. Numerous examples of extreme climate change can be found, from melting glaciers in Bolivia, to the destruction of crops by typhoons in the Philippines, and from drought to floods in east, southern Africa and Vietnam. In each scenario, women are shown struggling to keep their livelihoods and families intact, and, in some cases, fighting for their lives.

Empowering women and girls, especially through investments in health and education, helps boost economic development and reduce poverty, thus having a beneficial impact on coping with climate change. Educated girls are more likely to protect themselves against HIV and to have smaller and healthier families as adults. In general, access to reproductive health services such as family planning means lower birth rates and this has a clear bearing on lessening the potential impact of environmental crises and making sustainable development more likely.

The linkage between HIV and the environment needs to be explored further. Recent scholar has documented transactional or “survival” sex as an alternative livelihood strategy. Indeed, in some cultural settings, sex‐based trade is viewed as normative and not simply about survival, but rather about achieving a particular standard of living, commensurate with the perceived commodities of modernity (Leclerc‐Madlala 2004).

Our particular concern is the potential for the “environmental scarcity‐risky sex linkage” to operate in areas of high HIV prevalence.  Risky sexual behaviour in most regions is clearly linked to increased susceptibility to HIV/AIDS.  Therefore, risky sexual behaviours may pose serious risk at the individual level while also further fuelling the pandemic.

An estimated 20.000 people gathered at this year’s Global Day of Action in Durban, South Africa, during COP17. The demonstration held in Durban has for years became a tradition at the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change. This year’s event caught the attention of various global media.

Eco-Justice youths sending loud message to world climate polluters during the Global Day of Action in Durban, South Africa

The non-violent march involved international and national community, religious and environmental organizations, civil society, academia, youth, and counted with the active participation of the youth from the Eco-Justice training, jointly organized by the World Council of Churches Water Network and the Lutheran World Federation.

The youth spotted a banner saying ‘Polluters Pay’ which included names of the main polluters countries. As a participant, we joined the call urging international leaders to take concrete actions towards addressing climate change, in addition to an urgent legally binding and just agreement.

For many youth, the demonstration’s at the Global Day of Action was their first time, and they were very impressed by the non-violent approach of the march, which they termed as a celebration to achieve an Eco-Just economy and society.  One of the participants even expressed that “it was not only a call to tell polluting countries to pay, but also to recognize ourselves as individual polluters”.

Climate change is one of the signs of the groaning of creation, which is suffering the consequences of human mistreat and is also a sign of injustice, when the most vulnerable and the minorities face the greatest consequences. In order to tackle this problem, a change in the economic system is demanding, but also a change in our actions from the position of dominators to stewards of God’s creation.

In the process of creating a more Eco-Just world, the youth has a significant role to play, since we are the ones who have hope and energy that can be used to change these situations, added to our abilities of networking and technology for change. We are the ones who will be affected by today’s decision, and yet “we have a unique opportunity to become a solution in this world”, said Isaiah Kipyegon.

]]> http://lwfyouth.org/2011/12/04/y4ej-youth-participate-in-global-day-of-action-demonstration/feed/ 2 http://lwfyouth.org/2011/12/02/be-part-of-eco-justice-change-you-long-to-see/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=be-part-of-eco-justice-change-you-long-to-see http://lwfyouth.org/2011/12/02/be-part-of-eco-justice-change-you-long-to-see/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:24:57 +0000 garende http://lwfyouth.org/?p=4430 Continue reading →]]> By Antony Fredrick Ogolla

I believe that young people are the major stakeholders when it comes to environmental concerns because the future belongs to us and our children. With this in mind then the question is: What kind of environment do we want our children to live in? If we are in a position to answer this then I think we are home and dry.

Over the years our environment has been handled carelessly by human activities and the climate change impact facing us today is a reflection of our past actions. What we face today in the world could have been avoided if all followed God’s intention at the creation for man to care for creation as opposed to exploiting the earth.

As a young person change starts with me and I believe that it is time for us to take individual responsibility and make a difference in the world. There no other options of in-action, we have to ACT failure of which the future generations will hold us accountable and squarely responsible for the environmental harm already caused.

An African saying among the Kikuyu community in Kenya may act as a lesson for all. It says-“Take care of the environment because you did not inherit it from your parents but you borrowed it from your children”.

Even as we gather as young people in Durban I would emphasize all the global youths worldwide to embrace a culture of sustainable justice for all.

Venue of the COP17 in Durban South Africa

The International Convention Centre (ICC) is one of advanced conference facilities in the world. Its flexibility and versality are just some of the few factors used by in the design of this state of the art technology centre. It is a purpose built-fully air conditioned centre with convention halls that are interlinked but separate. It has moveable walls that allow for a number of different venue configurations. The centre has capacity host 5000 delegates and has 7000m squared of column free floor space. With the adjacent exhibition centre, the ICC can double its capacity to accommodate 10,000 delegates. The facility boasts of 25 meeting rooms.

In terms of technology and capacity to accommodate the media the centre is able to air live broadcasts as well as house lighting suitable for TV production and filming. Delegates are able to connect with Wi-fi and generators are always on standby in event of power outage.

The COP17 delegates will also have access to banking services, medical, postal and be able to purchase stationery when need under the same roof.

ICC Durban being a world class conference facility  has received accreditation from ISO and was voted as the best in the marketing category in 1998 by the International Congress and Convention Association. The centre has also been recognized by Eskom for energy efficiency award and Ceterers’guild of South Africa for excellence award.