A BOLTON vicar is urging Christians to come together to tackle climate change as he says the borough and the planet is increasingly witnessing the devastating effects of 'environmental breakdown'.

Reverend Oli Preston, curate at St Peter's Halliwell, is inviting people to join him, members of clergy and laity, and activists at a climate conversation evening.

The meeting will explore the science and theology of the climate crisis, and what the Christian response should be ­— taking direct inspiration from the bible.

Rev Preston said: "Scientists and campaigners all over the world have been saying for years that unless we change our behaviour significantly then humanity is going to bring on disastrous climate change.

"This is no longer true. We are not heading for a climate crisis. We are in one."

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Hosted by Create Bolton ­— a Christian charity using creative methods to inspire and connect with people ­— the climate meeting will be held at Claremont House in Bark Street, from 7.30pm to 9pm on March 5.

It also takes inspiration from Christian Climate Action ­— an organisation founded in 2012 and now associated with the Extinction Rebellion Movement.

Christian Climate Action advocates non-violent direct action to raise awareness of the 'eco crisis' and "call the powers to account".

Rev Preston continued: "Locally we have already been seeing and feeling and the effects of the global climate breakdown.

"I have only lived in Bolton for about three years, and in that time we have had droughts, moors fires, storms and flooding.

"These events are not brand new, but are becoming more frequent and more severe, here and around the world."

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In recent months Rev Preston has gone vegan, changed the lights in his church to energy saving bulbs and vowed never to fly on planes again ­— all in a bid to cut down on his carbon footprint.

However, while he notes that individual changes are important, he suggests that this alone is not enough and is instead calling for a global cultural shift away from "waste-lead consumerism, where we treat precious resources as if they were endless and disposable".

Action and responsibility must be taken by governments and corporations he adds, in particular in ceasing to subsidise the fossil fuel industry.

Rev Preston said: "As a species we are transforming the climate of our planet at an alarming speed, and the effects are already being felt.

"Animal species are going extinct at the rate of 150-200 species every day, entire eco-systems are breaking down, our oceans are dying, rainforests are being destroyed, the polar icecaps and ancient glaciers are melting.

"This crisis is effecting our whole planet, and it is often the poorest and most vulnerable countries who are experiencing the worst impact even though it is us in the rich West who have done the most to create this situation.

"In the next few decades we face floods, wildfires, extreme weather, crop failure, mass migration and the breakdown of society.

"It is a bleak picture. But there is hope.

"We still have time to make the changes we need to avoid the worst consequences, and to start working to alleviate and manage the impact of the new normal.

"As a Christian I believe that God is with us, that God loves us, and that God calls us to work with Him to care for this world."

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Moreover, The Church of England recently pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030 ­— something Rev Preston says reflects Christian belief in responsibility to care for the planet and commitment to justice for people around the world.

He added: "The people of the North West have a long history of being innovative and hardworking, using the natural resources we have and doing amazing things.

"We were at the forefront of the industrial revolution 250 years ago and have the chance now to take a lead on a new green revolution. A new world is possible."

For more information on the meeting call 01204 599900 or email oli@stpetersparish.info.