Cathedral to host dramatic film on Climate Change

Nottinghamshire’s Cathedral – Southwell Minster - is gearing up to support green lobbyist in the run up to the UN Climate Change summit in Copenhagen next month ( December 7th-18th).

The Minster will be putting on a special screening of the critically acclaimed film – The Age of Stupid – on Tuesday December 1st at 7.30pm.The film stars Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite as an old man living in the devastated world of 2055, watching "archive" footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change while we had the chance?  It has been described by the media and politicians alike as of vital importance and essential viewing to anyone who cares about the survival of our planet.

The Dean of Southwell, the Very Revd John Guille said: “I am very pleased that we are able to show this thought-provoking film next week and I  hope that many people will take the opportunity to come along. At the Minster we are fully committed to reducing our carbon footprint and next year we are working with the diocese, Trent University and the University of Nottingham, to host a special conference looking at environmental issues and theology, called ‘Green as a Leaf.’ As a congregation, we have been looking hard at how we can make a difference through a series of home group studies over the past year, and we are looking forward to further developments following the conference in September at Brackenhurst Agricultural College.”

Before the screening of the film the Dean will sign the 3rd Sector Declaration on Climate Change committing the cathedral and the diocese to take positive steps to reduce the negative impact on climate change and work with other organizations to reduce carbon emissions. The declaration also commits the diocese to support national targets for reducing green house gas emissions and work with central and local government and others to advocate for, and support policies and initiatives for, environmental and social justice that will assist the UK to reach or exceed the national target to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050.

National support from churches in the lead up to the Copenhagen summit will run on Saturday 5th December in London, when the Archbishop of Canterbury and other Christian leaders will lead a service at Westminster Central Hall followed by a peaceful march to the Thames to highlight the issues under debate. Organisers of The Wave event hope thousands will attend from churches across the country of all denominations.

Photo opportunity:
The Dean and Environmental Officer for the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham, Shelagh Baird-Smith, will be available for a photograph of the Declaration signing in the Minster at 9.15am on Tuesday 1st December.
The Age of Stupid has been described as compelling and surprising film and is the first dramatization of climate change to be produced. Entrance to the film is free, although a retiring collection will be taken towards cathedral costs.

*This event supports the Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham’s Environmental Policy – Growing Greener Churches – which was launched last year – see www.southwell.anglican.org

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