The UK's energy and climate change minister Ed Miliband has joined church leaders by calling for a "carbon fast" this Lent. Along with the Right Rev James Jones, bishop of Liverpool, and the Right Rev Dr Richard Chartres, bishop of London, Miliband is encouraging the British public to cut their carbon footprints during the 40-day fast by taking steps such as removing a light bulb at home.
"This initiative shows there are ways we can make a difference that might seem like a sacrifice to begin with but can easily become part of everyday life and help tackle dangerous climate change," said Miliband. He confessed that the carbon sin he'll miss most is driving short distances into town.
Jones plans to install a solar hot water system at his home and has pledged to ensure his computers, telephones and televisions are turned off, and not left on standby every night.
"There is a moral imperative for those of us who emit more than our fair share of carbon to rein in our consumption," said Jones, who devised the carbon fast idea.
The carbon-fasting initiative is led by development agency Tearfund, which signed up 2,000 people to cut their carbon last year resulting in an estimated annual saving of 9,000 tonnes of CO2.
The campaign group said there is an urgent need to protect poor communities hit by climate change. "Traditionally, black-majority churches do not observe Lent, however we believe in the strength of the whole church and the power in uniting for a greater cause," said City Chapel International's Jonathan Oloyede, one of the black pastors taking part in this year's carbon fast for the first time. "Many of the countries where we come from in Africa are the least responsible for climate change, yet they bear the brunt of its devastating impacts."
This year's fast is accompanied by an online campaign involving other websites such as YouTube. Tearfund's site is using an RSS feed to send daily carbon-cutting tips and social networking site Facebook is encouraging users to share energy-saving tips. Suggested carbon-cutting actions include eating no meat for a day, avoiding products with excess packaging and sharing car journeys with friends.
Tearfund highlighted 2009 as a crucial year for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, because international climate negotiations come to a head in Copenhagen this December.