Across Greater Adelaide there are 57 parishes in the Adelaide Diocese and another 20 or so in the Murray Diocese. Many of our parish properties have beautiful garden spaces. Collectively they form a valuable network of vegetated space across our city; a space that contributes to a greener, safer, cooler and more climate resilient city.
Can you imagine what presence Anglicans could have if our entire South Australian Province committed to extending the tree canopy across our church spaces where feasible, and possibly assisted others in doing the same?
This is just one aspect of approaching climate change and making our community more climate resilient. We may not be able to stop coal mining across the globe but through working together there are many local creation care activities to get involved in which either contribute to reducing our nett emissions or more generally to climate resilience.
As Christians, Adelaide Anglicans share a deep commitment to the environment, which is an expression of our Diocese Vision and Plan. Concern for our planet and its changing climate was clearly demonstrated by Synod in October 2022, when it passed a resolution to reduce Synod’s greenhouse gas emissions to nett zero by 2040.
The resolution also called for establishment of the Climate Action Task Group (ACATG led by the Rev’d Steven Ogden) with licence to approach policy-makers and raise public awareness about climate change issues.
It is great to see many of our parishes involved in a range of environment or sustainability projects. These may be within our churches or involve working with other community environmental groups. They align with our Diocesan Vision to Grow, Connect, Advocate and Care. Just some projects include:
- Community gardens producing fruit and vegetables and encouraging participants to source local food {photos available from Marianne Gillard}.
- Community workshops on sustainable food production and wicking beds
- Native gardens to attract butterflies and provide a valuable refuge for birds as higher density living takes away nearby green patches
- Reflective gardens where anyone can sit and reflect on the beauty of nature
- Op shops and garage sales encouraging re-ruse and recycling
- Working with local councils, schools or community groups on projects like restoring coastal dune vegetation, and installing recycling depots
- Hosting sustainable community forums and courses such as Living Smart courses in conjunction with Green Adelaide.
ACATG has a vision that Anglicans across Adelaide are recognised for their commitment to caring for the environment, are actively involved in reducing greenhouse emissions and contributing to making our community more resilient to climate change.
Jointly with the Anglican Creation Care Network (ACCN), we are looking to build on the many individual parish activities already being undertaken and explore how, at a Diocesan level, we may be able to engage with other environmental groups such as Green Adelaide (SA Department of Environment and Water) and Trees for Life.
We believe we can be more effective in caring for creation and reducing greenhouse emissions if we approach this as a Diocese, working together, encouraging each other ,and sharing our stories with each other.
To enable Synod to evaluate how Adelaide Anglicans might collaborate with local environmental organisations in caring for creation and ensuring Adelaide’s climate resilience, Brenton Grear, Director of Green Adelaide has been invited to speak at Synod 2023, 1.00pm Sunday 29 October 2023. This is extremely exciting.
If you think your parish could be part of a collaborative Anglican approach let your Synod representative know and ask them to report back on Brenton’s presentation.
