Young people share their climate change hopes and fears with Bishop of Reading

The Bishop of Reading joined young people from churches in the Aylesbury area as they shared their hopes and concerns, questioned how power is used and called for adults to work alongside them in caring for creation. 

Around 20 young people gathered for Amplify Creation Care – Young People’s Voice at St Mary’s Church in the town to talk about climate change and what they hoped the Church’s response would be. 

James Wood, diocese children’s and youth ministry enabler, said: “The evening was an opportunity to listen intently and deeply to young people within the diocese.

“We wanted to hear what they care about, what concerns them and what they hope for, and to give those voices a place in shaping the Church’s response.

Bishop Mary spoke about the diocese’s links with churches in South Africa, which she visited over the summer, and described communities where reduced rainfall is putting crops and family incomes under pressure. 

For some of those communities in South Africa, she said, a changing climate could mean the difference between living and dying. 

James added: “Bishop Mary began with three questions. Were they worried about climate change? Were they hopeful? And were they angry with previous generations for not doing enough?

“They were particularly vocal about power: who holds it, what happens when people gain it, and how they use it.

“Hope sat alongside worry about what lies ahead. One young person said, ‘if we make a change now then there’s a possibility we can change the world’.”