Let the bells ring, the conch shells, drums and gongs sound 350 times for climate justice. Find out more on bellringing350.org.
Sunday 13 December at 3 p.m. – at the height of the talks in Copenhagen – the churches in Denmark will ring their bells. Christians around the world are invited to echo them by sounding their own bells, shells, drums, gongs or horns 350 times.
Why 350 times?
350 refers to 350 parts per million: This is the safe upper limit for CO2 in our atmosphere according to many scientists, climate experts, and progressive national governments. For all of human history until about 200 years ago, our atmosphere contained 275 ppm of CO2, but now the concentration stands at 390 ppm. Unless we are able to rapidly reduce CO2 levels again, we risk reaching tipping points and irreversible impacts such as the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and major methane releases from increased permafrost melt.
How can your church or group join in?
By joining hands with Christians around the world we can have a greater impact in order to stop the destruction of God’s creation and of human livelihoods. If your group or parish wants to join:
- please let us know by sending an email to the WCC climate change desk;
- spread the message: you can use the WCC climate change info brochure (printed copies can be requested from the WCC climate change desk); you can also tape a video message (take inspiration from the filming guidelines created by CIDSE)
- download the campaign logo to create your own posters etc. for the event:
- for web use: jpg file (630 KB)
- for print: eps file (473 KB)
This logo has been contributed by the National Council of Churches in Denmark. It may be used freely by churches, parishes and related groups wishing to take part in the campaign. In no case is the logo allowed to be used for non-related events or for any commercial purposes.
- invite other religious communities, including brothers and sisters from other faiths, to join;
- you may also wish to create your own celebration or worship service: Take inspiration from the liturgies prepared by the NCC Denmark and by the worship committee at the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva. More ideas can be found on the website of the Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
Read More at the World Council of Churches Website.
